Before this line came out I was expecting us to be -10.5 with our home and conferece winning streak as well as us being 15th in the country and Ball State being ranked between 28-31.

I saw it earlier at -5. Which sounds about right. Ball State is a very very tough team, 9-1. This isn't playing Ohio. It's not one of those games ya go "Yeah, we'll win this one, then the one against Ball State, then on to...".

Ball State could very well win. They're not ankle-deep underdogs, IMO. If it was at Ball State, I'd put it at nearly even, with the assumption NIU would win in a squeeker (like doing against Iowa).

Considering NIU is at home, this shows Ball State some respect, which I think they've earned.

Fresno was only -8 at Wyoming...hope we have the same kind of outcome.

(11-11-2013 12:54 PM)HuskieNationSince1978 Wrote:  Fresno was only -8 at Wyoming...hope we have the same kind of outcome.

I'd also take the same outcome like we had as 3.5 pt favorites at Purdue.

(11-11-2013 01:18 PM)DeadMoney16 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 12:54 PM)HuskieNationSince1978 Wrote:  Fresno was only -8 at Wyoming...hope we have the same kind of outcome.

I'd also take the same outcome like we had as 3.5 pt favorites at Purdue.

If we get a pick 6 and return a kickoff for a td, it could be the same. Turnovers and special teams are huge!

(11-11-2013 11:08 AM)TheHallTrane Wrote:  Before this line came out I was expecting us to be -10.5 with our home and conferece winning streak as well as us being 15th in the country and Ball State being ranked between 28-31.

We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

(11-11-2013 12:15 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  Considering NIU is at home, this shows Ball State some respect, which I think they've earned.

Any team that is 9-1 deserves respect.

Historically over 8 years: BSU been better in DeKalb then at home.

2005 BSU 31-17 at NIU -14 2006 NIU 40-28 at BSU +12.
2007 BSU 27-21 at NIU -6 2008 BSU 45-14 at BSU - 31.
2009 NIU 26-20 at NIU +6 2010 NIU 59-21 at BSU +38.
2011 NIU 41-38 at NIU +3 2012 NIU 35-23 at BSU +12.

Recently games in DeKalb have been allot closer then at BSU.

(11-11-2013 01:22 PM)niubrad00 Wrote:  We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

Only 4 times since 1941 has NIU beaten BSU by double digits at home.

1967 NIU 28-14 at NIU. George Bork era
1973 NIU 45-17 at NIU. Largest margin of victory for NIU in DeKalb
1999 NIU 37-17 at NIU. P.J. Fleck was a player.
2003 NIU 48-23 at NIU. The Golden year of Coach Novak!

NIU has beaten BSU 9 times by double digits at BSU.

The two teams have played 40 times.
At NIU: BSU leads 13 wins - 8 losses - 2 (ties)
At BSU NIU leads 10 wins - 7 losses.

Bottom line:

We have not beaten BSU by double digits in DeKalb since 2003. A double digit victory over a 9-1 BSU who have played us very tough over the last two years under coach Lembo would be very significant .

(11-11-2013 01:49 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:22 PM)niubrad00 Wrote:  We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

Only 4 times since 1941 has NIU beaten BSU by double digits at home.

1967 NIU 28-14 at NIU. George Bork era
1973 NIU 45-17 at NIU. Largest margin of victory for NIU in DeKalb
1999 NIU 37-17 at NIU. P.J. Fleck was a player.
2003 NIU 48-23 at NIU. The Golden year of Coach Novak!

NIU has beaten BSU 9 times by double digits at BSU.

The two teams have played 40 times.
At NIU: BSU leads 13 wins - 8 losses - 2 (ties)
At BSU NIU leads 10 wins - 7 losses.

Bottom line:

We have not beaten BSU by double digits in DeKalb since 2003. A double digit victory over a 9-1 BSU who have played us very tough over the last two years under coach Lembo would be very significant .

Yep, what we did in the 60s through the 2000s is going to be super relevant when talking about this game.

Incase anyone on this board is still under the mistaken belief that BSU is a 9-1 joke, look at the following stats:

Against our arch rival Toledo: BSU leads series 20-18-1 (winning 5 of the last 8 games).
Games at BSU: BSU leads 12-8
Games at Toledo: Toledo leads 11-7-1

Bottom line:
BSU has a better record in DeKalb against NIU interms of win/losses then they do against both NIU and Toledo at home.
DeKalb has been like a second home to BSU.
Do not under estimate BSU in DeKalb.
Take this game very seriously and realize both the present and the historical implications of an NIU double digit victory.

(11-11-2013 01:54 PM)niusfactuary Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:49 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  [quote='niubrad00' pid='9988256' dateline='1384194156']

We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

Only 4 times since 1941 has NIU beaten BSU by double digits at home.

1967 NIU 28-14 at NIU. George Bork era
1973 NIU 45-17 at NIU. Largest margin of victory for NIU in DeKalb
1999 NIU 37-17 at NIU. P.J. Fleck was a player.
2003 NIU 48-23 at NIU. The Golden year of Coach Novak!

NIU has beaten BSU 9 times by double digits at BSU.



Bottom line:

We have not beaten BSU by double digits in DeKalb since 2003. A double digit victory over a 9-1 BSU who have played us very tough over the last two years under coach Lembo would be very significant .

"Yep, what we did in the 60s through the 2000s is going to be super relevant when talking about this game." niusfactory

Even a supposed numbers Geek cannot discount the present against the past. I have quoted both the last 8 years which you ignore and the last two years which you also choose to ignore.

Try to find holes in the score margins if you can?
If you are talking about a rivalry like Toledo vs BGSU, Michigan vs Notre Dame or BSU and NIU the whole history is traditionally taken into account. What you fail to see is the resemblance between the last a) Two years b) Last eight years C) Entire history between BSU and NIU

BSU traditionally plays tougher in DeKalb and cannot be taken lightly.

(11-11-2013 02:16 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:54 PM)niusfactuary Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:49 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  [quote='niubrad00' pid='9988256' dateline='1384194156']

We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

Only 4 times since 1941 has NIU beaten BSU by double digits at home.

1967 NIU 28-14 at NIU. George Bork era
1973 NIU 45-17 at NIU. Largest margin of victory for NIU in DeKalb
1999 NIU 37-17 at NIU. P.J. Fleck was a player.
2003 NIU 48-23 at NIU. The Golden year of Coach Novak!

NIU has beaten BSU 9 times by double digits at BSU.



Bottom line:

We have not beaten BSU by double digits in DeKalb since 2003. A double digit victory over a 9-1 BSU who have played us very tough over the last two years under coach Lembo would be very significant .

"Yep, what we did in the 60s through the 2000s is going to be super relevant when talking about this game." niusfactory

Even a supposed numbers Geek cannot discount the present against the past. I have quoted both the last 8 years which you ignore and the last two years which you also choose to ignore.

Try to find holes in the score margins if you can?
If you are talking about a rivalry like Toledo vs BGSU, Michigan vs Notre Dame or BSU and NIU the whole history is traditionally taken into account. What you fail to see is the resemblance between the last a) Two years b) Last eight years C) Entire history between BSU and NIU

BSU traditionally plays tougher in DeKalb and cannot be taken lightly.

I don't think anybody has taken BSU lightly, I called it the biggest game in Huskie Stadium history and I think that's true. Doesn't matter if NIU wins by 1 or 10, just win!

(11-11-2013 02:23 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 02:16 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:54 PM)niusfactuary Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 01:49 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  [quote='niubrad00' pid='9988256' dateline='1384194156']

We all know that NIU alums are betting large amounts of money on Ball State to keep the line down and make it look better when we win by double digits. Because that will resonate with voters and improve our BCS standing.

Only 4 times since 1941 has NIU beaten BSU by double digits at home.

1967 NIU 28-14 at NIU. George Bork era
1973 NIU 45-17 at NIU. Largest margin of victory for NIU in DeKalb
1999 NIU 37-17 at NIU. P.J. Fleck was a player.
2003 NIU 48-23 at NIU. The Golden year of Coach Novak!

NIU has beaten BSU 9 times by double digits at BSU.



Bottom line:

We have not beaten BSU by double digits in DeKalb since 2003. A double digit victory over a 9-1 BSU who have played us very tough over the last two years under coach Lembo would be very significant .

"Yep, what we did in the 60s through the 2000s is going to be super relevant when talking about this game." niusfactory

Even a supposed numbers Geek cannot discount the present against the past. I have quoted both the last 8 years which you ignore and the last two years which you also choose to ignore.

Try to find holes in the score margins if you can?
If you are talking about a rivalry like Toledo vs BGSU, Michigan vs Notre Dame or BSU and NIU the whole history is traditionally taken into account. What you fail to see is the resemblance between the last a) Two years b) Last eight years C) Entire history between BSU and NIU

BSU traditionally plays tougher in DeKalb and cannot be taken lightly.

I don't think anybody has taken BSU lightly, I called it the biggest game in Huskie Stadium history and I think that's true. Doesn't matter if NIU wins by 1 or 10, just win!

Lets hope that everyone sees it that way. The players, students, alumni and the press.

Any news on BSU's RB who was injured last week?

(11-11-2013 02:43 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  Any news on BSU's RB who was injured last week?

Saw on their board a few days ago that he is fine and will play Wednesday

(11-11-2013 02:44 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 02:43 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  Any news on BSU's RB who was injured last week?

Saw on their board a few days ago that he is fine and will play Wednesday

He is a great player. Hope our defense can contain him.

(11-11-2013 02:44 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 02:43 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  Any news on BSU's RB who was injured last week?

Saw on their board a few days ago that he is fine and will play Wednesday

Maybe Lembo will pull a Trestman and bring him back too soon.

The only way I buy history between two teams mattering beyond the last 4 years is if there's some crazy streak or record like the Cubs are up against so that it messes with the players' psyche. Ball State playing slightly better at home vs NIU in the last few decades won't matter.

(11-11-2013 03:06 PM)Max Power Wrote:  The only way I buy history between two teams mattering beyond the last 4 years is if there's some crazy streak or record like the Cubs are up against so that it messes with the players' psyche. Ball State playing slightly better at home vs NIU in the last few decades won't matter.

I would put most emphasis on current year.
Both BSU, NIU have been perfect at home.

Over the last two years BSU has been leading at halftime.
NIU has come back each time. (Since Pete Lembo has been the coach the last two years, it is relevant).

What seems strange is that two of three of Brady Hokes victories were at NIU and that the point difference over the last eight years clearly shows NIU having a much easier time on the road against BSU.

Regarding the entire history it is an anomaly that NIU is 10-7 in Muncie Indiana and 8-13-2 in DeKalb.
What makes this trend relevant is the last eight years record and the last two years and eight years with NIU having a harder time in DeKalb, winning by a far smaller point spread then in Muncie?

Do Ball State fans travel well?
Do they have a fan base in DeKalb?
Has NIU started off slowly or underestimate BSU in DeKalb?
Does NIU play tougher in Muncie?

Why have they done significantly better in DeKalb then Muncie over the last eight years?

This is how Vegas views it.
http://www.odds.com/ncaaf/matchups/expan...LINOIS/1/2