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Ah, yep.

(09-19-2016 09:33 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Illinois may be 1-11 this year, Northwestern only a few games better.

In this week's Big Ten Power Rankings (online FREEP) - Illinois is 14th, Northwestern 13th.

(09-19-2016 07:54 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Northwestern was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten-West, the weaker of the conference's two divisions.

Wouldn't call that "picked to do pretty well..."

Nobody is saying beating Big Ten teams isn't an accomplishment because it is. But this year it was expected.

I thought we were Vegas underdogs against Northwestern. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought so. We were favorites against Illinois, but by only 3, and the line opened with Illinois the favorite. Either way, its not like we are just winning games where we overwhelmingly should dominate. These are quality wins on the road.

I agree that our schedule this year has worked out much better than in past years. Last year was ridiculous. Wish we had Illinois last year too. Not so much Northeastern. However, our conference schedule is very tough, as we have to play all of the best conference teams.

With respect to both Northwestern and Illinois, it wont surprise me if either or both end up in a bowl. Northwestern far more likely, but I can see either of them getting 6 wins along the way. Either could lose the rest too for that matter, but the season is long.

(09-19-2016 10:42 AM)brovol Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 07:54 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Northwestern was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten-West, the weaker of the conference's two divisions.

Wouldn't call that "picked to do pretty well..."

Nobody is saying beating Big Ten teams isn't an accomplishment because it is. But this year it was expected.

I thought we were Vegas underdogs against Northwestern. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought so. We were favorites against Illinois, but by only 3, and the line opened with Illinois the favorite. Either way, its not like we are just winning games where we overwhelmingly should dominate. These are quality wins on the road.

I agree that our schedule this year has worked out much better than in past years. Last year was ridiculous. Wish we had Illinois last year too. Not so much Northeastern. However, our conference schedule is very tough, as we have to play all of the best conference teams.

With respect to both Northwestern and Illinois, it wont surprise me if either or both end up in a bowl. Northwestern far more likely, but I can see either of them getting 6 wins along the way. Either could lose the rest too for that matter, but the season is long.

Those two B1G teams will be happy with four wins....BETWEEN THEM.

(09-19-2016 10:51 AM)Moomba Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 10:42 AM)brovol Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 07:54 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Northwestern was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten-West, the weaker of the conference's two divisions.

Wouldn't call that "picked to do pretty well..."

Nobody is saying beating Big Ten teams isn't an accomplishment because it is. But this year it was expected.

I thought we were Vegas underdogs against Northwestern. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought so. We were favorites against Illinois, but by only 3, and the line opened with Illinois the favorite. Either way, its not like we are just winning games where we overwhelmingly should dominate. These are quality wins on the road.

I agree that our schedule this year has worked out much better than in past years. Last year was ridiculous. Wish we had Illinois last year too. Not so much Northeastern. However, our conference schedule is very tough, as we have to play all of the best conference teams.

With respect to both Northwestern and Illinois, it wont surprise me if either or both end up in a bowl. Northwestern far more likely, but I can see either of them getting 6 wins along the way. Either could lose the rest too for that matter, but the season is long.

Those two B1G teams will be happy with four wins....BETWEEN THEM.

I agree that the 2 are not great but they will win more then 4 games between them. They play each other so their is 1 more win, they both play Purdue so we are up to 5 wins now. Illinois should have a shot against Rutgers and NW should beat Indiana.

So you are correct they are bad but I would say 3-5 wins per team is more accurate. I think both of these teams will not be bowl eligible.

(09-19-2016 11:04 AM)rsswmu Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 10:51 AM)Moomba Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 10:42 AM)brovol Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 07:54 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Northwestern was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten-West, the weaker of the conference's two divisions.

Wouldn't call that "picked to do pretty well..."

Nobody is saying beating Big Ten teams isn't an accomplishment because it is. But this year it was expected.

I thought we were Vegas underdogs against Northwestern. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought so. We were favorites against Illinois, but by only 3, and the line opened with Illinois the favorite. Either way, its not like we are just winning games where we overwhelmingly should dominate. These are quality wins on the road.

I agree that our schedule this year has worked out much better than in past years. Last year was ridiculous. Wish we had Illinois last year too. Not so much Northeastern. However, our conference schedule is very tough, as we have to play all of the best conference teams.

With respect to both Northwestern and Illinois, it wont surprise me if either or both end up in a bowl. Northwestern far more likely, but I can see either of them getting 6 wins along the way. Either could lose the rest too for that matter, but the season is long.

Those two B1G teams will be happy with four wins....BETWEEN THEM.

I agree that the 2 are not great but they will win more then 4 games between them. They play each other so their is 1 more win, they both play Purdue so we are up to 5 wins now. Illinois should have a shot against Rutgers and NW should beat Indiana.

So you are correct they are bad but I would say 3-5 wins per team is more accurate. I think both of these teams will not be bowl eligible.

Illinois isn't beating anyone this year. I don't see it. Those kids are a saturated sponge and the new staff just threw them in a bucket of water. They're done. I hope they dig deep and change their dobber, life is too short but being confused and young is a tough one and they've had a lot of that in the last two years.

NW will beat Illinois, maybe Indiana. Tough ones.

(09-19-2016 09:27 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 08:58 AM)Moomba Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 08:35 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 07:54 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Northwestern was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten-West, the weaker of the conference's two divisions.

Wouldn't call that "picked to do pretty well..."

Nobody is saying beating Big Ten teams isn't an accomplishment because it is. But this year it was expected.

Given that it was expected, and that's fair, two Big10 wins in one year is inarguably an amazing transformation of culture and expectations given the historical 6-43 record v. the Big10. Moreover, the win v. Illinois was a smack down representing the largest margin of victory vs. a Big10 school. Ever.

We beat Wisconsin pretty bad in 88, with our backup qb. TK plays and it's more. Best thing? It wasn't expected

Wisconsin was 1-10 in 1988.

First game of the year. Illinois and NW will end up pathetic too.

Quote:That's not my point. I love beautiful women too but I don't need to be flooded with ads of women just a string with a patch attached to it.

I also don't need to be flooded with ads for cars & kitty litter... but I'll take a few pics that it serves with women in skimpy clothing over that!

(09-19-2016 08:35 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  Moreover, the win v. Illinois was a smack down representing the largest margin of victory vs. a Big10 school. Ever.

Close, but not quite: NIU curb-stomped Purdue 55-24 in 2013. I remember watching that game. The final score actually makes the game sound closer than it was.

The feeling after our beatdown of the Illini was equally satisfying, though!

(09-19-2016 08:04 PM)The Colonel Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 08:35 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  Moreover, the win v. Illinois was a smack down representing the largest margin of victory vs. a Big10 school. Ever.

Close, but not quite: NIU curb-stomped Purdue 55-24 in 2013. I remember watching that game. The final score actually makes the game sound closer than it was.

The feeling after our beatdown of the Illini was equally satisfying, though!

Meant by WMU

****I could see NW going 6-6. The Duke win was huge for them.

****Our best Big 10 one was probably vs Iowa. But you could make a case for any of them as they all meant something huge (Wisconsin was first) or Illinois in 16 (biggest win)

I think you could make a case for NW being the most meaningful since it broke that huge streak of opening game losses. But Iowa 07 and Illinois 08 were probably better teams.

(09-19-2016 09:24 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  I think you could make a case for NW being the most meaningful since it broke that huge streak of opening game losses. But Iowa 07 and Illinois 08 were probably better teams.

Agreed. We should really be just enjoying this... Seriously ... We could easily be 1-2 right now based on our historical performances on the road against the P5... Regardless. We are doing well.. Let's just sit back and take note of where we USED to be in seasons with these games... And how far we've come....

(09-19-2016 08:28 PM)BCBronco Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 08:04 PM)The Colonel Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 08:35 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  Moreover, the win v. Illinois was a smack down representing the largest margin of victory vs. a Big10 school. Ever.

Close, but not quite: NIU curb-stomped Purdue 55-24 in 2013. I remember watching that game. The final score actually makes the game sound closer than it was.

The feeling after our beatdown of the Illini was equally satisfying, though!

Meant by WMU

Gotcha. Misunderstood. My bad.

(09-19-2016 09:24 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  I think you could make a case for NW being the most meaningful since it broke that huge streak of opening game losses. But Iowa 07 and Illinois 08 were probably better teams.

Probably true, but neither Iowa '07 nor Illinois '08 finished with a winning record. I don't see NW or Illinois finishing .500 or above this season, but time will tell. What if NW finishes, say, 5-7 this season? Should that happen, I'd argue there isn't much difference.

One argument I disagree with: claiming Illinois '08 meant more because Illinois was in the Rose Bowl the season before, while at the same time diminishing the NW win by not acknowledging that NW won 10 games the season before. To those who might make that argument: you can't have it both ways.

(09-19-2016 11:07 PM)The Colonel Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 09:24 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  I think you could make a case for NW being the most meaningful since it broke that huge streak of opening game losses. But Iowa 07 and Illinois 08 were probably better teams.

Probably true, but neither Iowa '07 nor Illinois '08 finished with a winning record. I don't see NW or Illinois finishing .500 or above this season, but time will tell. What if NW finishes, say, 5-7 this season? Should that happen, I'd argue there isn't much difference.

One argument I disagree with: claiming Illinois '08 meant more because Illinois was in the Rose Bowl the season before, while at the same time diminishing the NW win by not acknowledging that NW won 10 games the season before. To those who might make that argument: you can't have it both ways.

While non-conference wins against P5 foes are nice, the fact is they are relatively meaningless. We could be 0-3 and still have just as strong a chance to win the Mid-American Conference Championship.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled WMU is 3-0 and am confident it will be 4-0. However, lose to CMU or NIU and that non-conference record is pretty hollow.

Previous wins against Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin were nice. However, there isn't a Bronco fan who would not trade them for a MAC Championship those same years.

Win or lose against Georgia Southern, we will still be 0-0 in MAC play on October 1 when the REAL season starts.

Let's just hope we stay injury free Saturday. The loss of Bellemy (who would start at almost any other MAC program) concerns me. WMU needs depth and speed at RB.

Did Eskridge play Saturday? Isn't the staff trying to get him ready for Braverman-type duties by October?

(09-20-2016 09:11 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  Did Eskridge play Saturday? Isn't the staff trying to get him ready for Braverman-type duties by October?

I think Eskridge was injured in the NCCU game. Didn't look that serious, but might have been enough to sideline him for a week. I didn't see him in the Illinois game but I may have missed him on special teams.

(09-19-2016 07:56 AM)Chibronco Wrote:  

(09-18-2016 06:41 PM)John52168 Wrote:  Would have loved to be able to read the article without all the ads of scantily clad women.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/illin...-michigan/

Come on man use an ad blocker like an adult. ublock origin, adblock there is tons of them. Just avoid adblock plus the are blocking ads while pushing there own.

I went 10+ years without a laptop. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

(09-20-2016 09:26 AM)flushtheherd Wrote:  I think Eskridge was injured in the NCCU game. Didn't look that serious, but might have been enough to sideline him for a week. I didn't see him in the Illinois game but I may have missed him on special teams.

Eskridge did play on special teams (at least for a couple of plays) against the Illini.