Author Topic: Northern Illinois (Read 40714 times)

felix rex · « **on:** September 10, 2011, 06:19:38 PM »

This is not your run-of-the-mill MAC team. Really more comparable to a mid-tier SEC team if you objectively look at the tangibles.

felix rex · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:21:12 PM »

They definitely pass the "eyeball test". These are legit, experienced D-1 athletes. That front seven would have a lot of Big East teams scared.

Saulbadguy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:22:14 PM »

Kansas will destroy them.

pike · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:22:51 PM »

Listening on the Jayhawk network. Guy said if you slap a Ohio State or USC jersey on these guys you wouldn't tell the difference

Not kidding

felix rex · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:23:12 PM »

Quote from: Saulbadguy on September 10, 2011, 06:22:14 PM

Kansas will destroy them.

This is not just a bunch of 2 star suburban Chicago kids

felix rex · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:23:34 PM »

I think Northern Illinois should expect to win this game. The best MAC teams are better than the bottom-feeders of the BCS conferences.

felix rex · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:24:39 PM »

One of their starting offensive lineman is none other than Logan Pegram from Silver Lake, KS!

felix rex · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:26:34 PM »

I hope Big 12 fans understand how big a challenge this will be. They're legit. I mean, they're not Alabama or anything, but they're probably on par with a team like Missouri - although they have a much better quarterback.

felix rex · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:29:02 PM »

NIU is a GOOD team. The fact that they are in the MAC, have lower rated recruits, etc means nothing. They killed an Army team probably above the level of McNeese State. This will be a very tough game.

Stevesie60 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:30:04 PM »

Any BCS team would have difficulty keeping their explosive offense below 4 TD's. OU may be able to do it, but on a bad night, who knows?

felix rex · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:31:09 PM »

I think NIU is about on par with Baylor, Tech and KSU. what we know is they had a very good offense last year and return pretty much everything except their RBs (and RBs are pretty replacable if you have a solid and experienced O-line plus a veteran QB).

felix rex · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:31:49 PM »

They also got a pretty highly recruited Running Back out of Hutch JC. Dude was 4* and had offers from ATM, PITT, MINN, NEB, WISC, So CAR etc.

pike · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:32:54 PM »

"He's out at the 57 yard line!!" - KU radio guy

These guys are terrible

felix rex · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:34:04 PM »

Sporting News had NIU ranked 34th in their preseason rankings, with KU at 92nd. The Big 12 should be pretty pleased with a win over a team that they rank ahead of Pitt, UNC, and Texas.

pike · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:34:22 PM »

"Maybe one of the most experienced offenses in college football"

felix rex · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:34:57 PM »

Someone posted Steele's "combined experience" chart and it had NIU as the 26th-most experienced team in the country. A new coach and few returning starters on defense isn't going to make them any worse than KSU, KU, ISU, BU, etc on a neutral field.

felix rex · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:35:59 PM »

They won the MAC West and throttled Fresno St in a bowl game last season. They've been to three straight bowls (five since 2004). KU should win at home, but this isn't a game that should make or break a coach.

felix rex · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:38:28 PM »

The Sagarin predictor is usually a fairly good approximation of the point spread on games. Using Sagarin, if this game had been played in Lawrence last year Northern Illinois would have been an 18-point favorite. Big win for the Big 12 on the line tonight.

Sandstone Outcropping · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:39:03 PM »

Win, lose or draw the Jayhawks should feel like champions after tonight's contest.

felix rex · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:41:52 PM »

Looks like a full house in the gridiron club. KU needs to get that big home crowd involved to rattle this QB. He is salty.

chunkles · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:45:08 PM »

Way to be out front on this Felix Rex. I can only hope emaj nation read the same before tonight!

chunkles · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:47:28 PM »

Emaj nation... Imagination! HCTG should use that!

CHONGS · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:50:36 PM »

if KU wins its a big win, don't be idiots

ednksu · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:51:15 PM »

does NIU have options?

pike · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:54:14 PM »

Quote from: Chingon on September 10, 2011, 06:50:36 PM

if KU wins its a big win, don't be idiots

Yeah this NIU team is tough. They hung like 40 points on Army last week.