Comfortably Numb in Dekalb
by Mike Breese on Nov 9, 2009 3:43 AM CST
in Football
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PrintI don't know what to feel about this Northern Illinois team.
They looked like they were getting into the groove last Thursday, but Eastern Michigan is an abomination of a team. I know, I know. They have a new coach building from nothing with a new system, but that team I saw out there was terrible. The latter part of the MAC this year is a bottomless pit and the Eagles are nearing the bottom.
We ran the ball, ran some more and when the times were right, DeMarcus Grady launched the ball to Landon Cox for TDs on two separate occasions.
Me'co Brown got the unwarranted start at RB, but Chad Spann was unfazed by this development. In his first two carries he ripped off TD scores of 65 and 79 yds. That's NCAA video game stuff right there. You want to start the game off strong? Start the 3rd leading scorer in the nation in Spann. Justin Anderson is ahead of Me'co at this point. I guess Kill wants to keep playing "his guys", but if this costs us a chance at the MAC Championship I will blow my top.
The return game continues to be awesome, with Tommy Davis returning the opening kickoff for a TD. Something that hasn't been emulated since Michael "The Burner" Turner returned a 93-yarder back in 2002. It's truly unbelievable the strides that we've made on the special teams side of things. Now the only thing to fix is figuring out why Salerno's kicks keep getting blocked. Another thing that could come back and bite us.
We didn't look great in the wins over Miami or Akron, so this was a much-needed break of a victory that we only had 4 days to prepare for. This week we face a Ball State team that barely squeaked by EMU two weeks ago to grab their only win of the season. We open as a 17-point favorite at home against the Cardinals.
Sure our running game is working against the bottom of the MAC with a little play action thrown in. Only adding to the mystery is the status of Chandler Harnish,who allegedly was cleared to practice on Sunday. The thing is, we don't need Chandler and his sore knee to beat BSU on Thursday. However, he must get some reps to prepare for the road trip @ Ohio and eventually @ Central Michigan down the road.
The best part of this team is that they control their own destiny at the moment. All of the goals are in reach as stated many a times before. There are obstacles in the way, but a MAC Championship is still in the picture.
I just don't know how good this team is!!! Nobody does. Am I right?
They may lead the MAC in a majority of important statistics, but stats don't matter. Paper doesn't matter. All that matter is what happens on the field.
Right now, we just need to keep winning to look more attractive to whichever Bowl selection people want to extend an invitation to us. One game at a time. That road starts through Dekalb on Thursday against a team that really put a sour taste in to the mouths of the Huskies last year.
I should be liking these wins. I do. It's just that we all have to wait and see what this team is capable of.
So here I sit, comfortably numb as an NIU fan.
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ESPNU
Did the MAC get blindsided by this development? Did they know that they were going to get bumped to a 2nd tier station that people either don’t get or don’t realize they get everytime a bigger conference (this week it’s the Big East twice) is playing on the same night?
I get it that the MAC want’s national exposure and they have to make concessions to get that exposure. Whether it hurts attendence or whatever, you’re still on national tv and there are plenty of college football fans who watch whatever game is on espn or espn2. But now you’re competing against a bigger audience and more recognizable teams becuase of the development of ESPNU.
To me, it seems like this deal for the MAC went backwards. They had more exposure 2 years ago before this channel.
Maybe they should work something out with Vs. for weeknight games?
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
Another thought.
Not only do ratings have to suffer for a game on ESPNU vs either espn or espn2, but a 5pm start!?! You (mike) and my DVR are going to be the heavy hitters when the Nielsons come a’lookin’ at these ratings.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
The 5 PM start is absurd
That’s just telling fans (alumni) not to come to the game. It’s up to the students to put butts in the seats, in which hasn’t been impressive so far this season.
And trust me, Versus is not the answer. Especially now with their dispute with DirecTV.
And on ESPN2 Thurs, it’s MLS Playoffs for the 2nd straight week. What’s up with that?
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
I forgot about the whole Vs./DirecTV dispute.
I think Comcast is drawing a line in the sand they don’t need to be drawing and I think DirecTV is being unbelievably childish. No bar in any town can show the local hockey team if it’s on Vs. That’s stupid.
Anyway, I just don’t see the MAC/espn relationshp getting any better for the MAC ever since espnu came about and landed on channel 470 (or something like that) on my tv.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
We’ll do OK vs. BSU, but we need to watch Ohio, and of course, CMU is for the marbles. We do need to work on the kicking team blocking; that probably cost us the Toledo game, at which point we’d be 5-0 in the conference. A healthy Harnish will help against Ohio and CMU, but Grady has been a pleasant surprise with his running ability and lack of mistakes. No real interceptions to speak of.
I hope EMU runs the table, as a win over WMU will help us. of course, and anybody who beats Toledo, especially if they’re humiliated, is OK in my book.
Tomorrow is Ohio-Buffalo
The Bulls are a 3-pt favorite. Should be interesting to watch those teams play at 6 pm on ESPN2.
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
It amazes me Buffalo is favored.
If you figure you get 3 points for playing at home, they’re basically saying the two teams are even, and they’re not.
Btw Mike, did you see the MAC preview over at Blogging the Bracket? Pretty good read and the Huskies tip it off for real on Friday!
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
Young Team - the future is bright
and old alum (1968) living in Dallas,Tx…… keep in mind, this is a young team, especially at wide receiver position. NIU has to develop into more of a balanced attack; obviously the run game carries them now.
I believe Coach Kill is a good fit for this program and we’ll see some good stuff over the next 2-3 yrs. I’m anxious to see how they handle Ball State……a solid performance sets the table for the final 2 road games
GO HUSKIES!!
Welcome!
I live in Austin, TX so we’re not too far away. Maybe we can grab a beer down the road.
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
A win is a win
I only saw the first half against Ball St., but NIU won this one without racking up big rushing yards. The Ohio game is pretty damn important if we want a shot at a bowl game. I think Harnish should start against Ohio…….he presents more of a passing threat than Grady, and he can run the ball. Here’s a thought: consider using Grady in a “wildcat” formation, the guy appears to be a hell of an athlete.
An 8-4 record for this young team would be a real positive statement going into next yr.
GO HUSKIES
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