Our major college football season opening opponent Utah Utes ranked #14 in preseason AP Poll.

Nebraska ranked #24. Back to back ranked opponents to open the season baby!

(The real) ISU is #21.

https://apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll

(08-13-2019 10:39 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-12-2019 04:25 PM)dsnell Wrote:  

(08-11-2019 11:30 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  Utah Football: Game-by-Game Predictions for 2019

Quote:NIU Huskies
Sept. 7 | Salt Lake City, UT

When these two teams met in Week 2 last year, it was an absolute snoozefest. The Huskies were only able to muster six points which was 14 below their season average (obviously not a great offensive season) while Utah dropped 17 to win at Huskie Stadium.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

Utah fan here. I hope those coming to the game have a great time. I also hope you don't have another Sutton Smith on the team. He almost single-handily won the game.

Curious as to who the big performers will be for you guys on the offensive side of the ball.

Welcome to the board. As the other poster mentioned, I am kind of at a loss on that question. We don't know who the QB will be. Tre Harbison is our starting RB and averaged 5 ypc last year despite a poor passing game and almost no deep threat to loosen up the defense. He will be an important person in the game. Spencer Tears showed major flashes in the conference championship game last year though his numbers overall weren't great. Better QB play will help that though. Our TEs could be important, we have a bit of depth there due to injuries last year.

Thanks for the information. I hate not knowing what to expect from new positions. I'll keep my on Harbison, that's a huge YPC. Once again, I'm grateful you don't have Smith anymore.

17 Days.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

This writer is very high on Utah:

Jeremy Mauss @MWCWire,MWwire.com
Utah will go 13-0 and make the College Football Playoff. If the Utes are going to make a run at a bid, this is their best chance. They have a senior QB in Tyler Huntley, potential top-100 NFL Draft pick in RB Zack Moss, and head coach Kyle Whittingham – who always has an elite defense – has called his defensive line his best ever.

Nebraska is getting love from this writer:

Kegan Reaneau @KeganReneau, SoonersWire.com

Nebraska. The hype around the Huskers is off-the-charts, and it’ll be right – they’ll win the West and play Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/08/...redictions

(08-21-2019 06:49 PM)NILAW Wrote:  This writer is very high on Utah:

Jeremy Mauss @MWCWire,MWwire.com
Utah will go 13-0 and make the College Football Playoff. If the Utes are going to make a run at a bid, this is their best chance. They have a senior QB in Tyler Huntley, potential top-100 NFL Draft pick in RB Zack Moss, and head coach Kyle Whittingham – who always has an elite defense – has called his defensive line his best ever.

Nebraska is getting love from this writer:

Kegan Reaneau @KeganReneau, SoonersWire.com

Nebraska. The hype around the Huskers is off-the-charts, and it’ll be right – they’ll win the West and play Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/08/...redictions

A note on NIU's third OOC opponent, Vanderbilt, reports indicate that Riley Neal is still locked in a QB battle with Duece Wallace.

(08-21-2019 07:08 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(08-21-2019 06:49 PM)NILAW Wrote:  This writer is very high on Utah:

Jeremy Mauss @MWCWire,MWwire.com
Utah will go 13-0 and make the College Football Playoff. If the Utes are going to make a run at a bid, this is their best chance. They have a senior QB in Tyler Huntley, potential top-100 NFL Draft pick in RB Zack Moss, and head coach Kyle Whittingham – who always has an elite defense – has called his defensive line his best ever.

Nebraska is getting love from this writer:

Kegan Reaneau @KeganReneau, SoonersWire.com

Nebraska. The hype around the Huskers is off-the-charts, and it’ll be right – they’ll win the West and play Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/08/...redictions

A note on NIU's third OOC opponent, Vanderbilt, reports indicate that Riley Neal is still locked in a QB battle with Duece Wallace.

Heaven help us if this guy has another chance to beat us (even though he never has)

Anyone planning a tailgate?

15 Days.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

(08-23-2019 09:56 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  15 Days.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

RED!!!!

(08-23-2019 10:19 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 09:56 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  15 Days.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

RED!!!!

BLACK!!!!

(08-23-2019 10:32 AM)cosine4 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 10:19 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  RED!!!!

BLACK!!!!

RED!!!!

Utes get an extra 2 days of preparation for the Huskies

Let's hope the Holy War is an exhausting one for them

(08-23-2019 12:53 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 10:32 AM)cosine4 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 10:19 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  RED!!!!

BLACK!!!!

RED!!!!

BLACK!!!

(08-23-2019 11:32 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 12:53 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 10:32 AM)cosine4 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 10:19 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  RED!!!!

BLACK!!!!

RED!!!!

BLACK!!!

RED!!!!

Lee Corso picked Utah to lose in the National Championship this morning on Gameday lol

(08-24-2019 11:29 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  Lee Corso picked Utah to lose in the National Championship this morning on Gameday lol

Corso is an anomaly personified.

(08-24-2019 11:29 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  Lee Corso picked Utah to lose in the National Championship this morning on Gameday lol

They have a real shot to get there imo

(08-24-2019 11:29 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  Lee Corso picked Utah to lose in the National Championship this morning on Gameday lol

An early loss to the back-to-back MAC Champs shouldn't be too big of a setback if they can run the table afterwards.

A possibility, for sure.

12 Days.

GO NIU!

Beat Utah.

Besides the two extra days of prep time, there are a few other concerns:

-If you read between the lines, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was not too happy about traveling to DeKalb to play last year. What disturbed him even more was how bad his team played in that game. The Utes may use the NIU game to make a statement on their displeasure of last year.
-Having the BYU game out of the way is a huge plus for Utah. NIU will get definitely Utah's full attention. And, with Idaho St. being next opponent for Utah, there won't be any looking ahead. It would have worked out much better if BYU was right after NIU game than before.
-It has been unseasonably cool in northern Illinois lately and appears that forecast looks to continue through next week. Utah has been practicing in 90-degree weather every day. With a noon kickoff and the sun beating down directly on field, NIU will have a much greater adjustment to the weather.