Given that Utah, Florida state, and BYU may not be at their historical normal level, I'd take 2-2 as highly successful

Awesome schedule! Props to STF for putting it together.
With 3 of 4 games away, I will take 2-2 as a successful outcome. What a shame we almost always play our P5 games away from home. Would have been interesting to see the results over the last 10 years if we had half of those at home. I'm sure we would have won many more and gotten a ton more respect from fans and media.

Many here reside in the same land as Dorothy in OZ.

Wake up next late October and then decide how wise/great such an ambitious "dream" schedule really is.

I repeat my opening salvo - YIKES!!!

(11-20-2017 10:00 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  Many here reside in the same land as Dorothy in OZ.

Wake up next late October and then decide how wise/great such an ambitious "dream" schedule really is.

I repeat my opening salvo - YIKES!!!

To be the man, you gotta beat the man!

(11-20-2017 10:51 PM)JoeNovak Wrote:  

(11-20-2017 10:00 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  Many here reside in the same land as Dorothy in OZ.

Wake up next late October and then decide how wise/great such an ambitious "dream" schedule really is.

I repeat my opening salvo - YIKES!!!

To be the man, you gotta beat the man!

Some men wear much bigger/longer pants than others creating many mismatches.

Funny how things are year to year, but we could legit beat those 4 teams this year. FSU gets Francois back and they are a competlwky different squad...that’s going to be brutal. You know we’ll play Iowa and Utah tough. I say we sneak out 1 of those 3, BYU feels like a Wyoming type of result. Some crazy game.

Wow. This board is usually very pessimistic. Now it's ridiculously optimistic. This is the most brutal OOC schedule NIU will have ever played. This schedule will mean $$$$$. Viewed pessimistically, enrollment is down. Attendance is down. State support is down. So, NIU needs big paychecks to keep the program moving. I'm in favor of it, but we will lose all or most of these games, players will get injured, and this will put conference games in question. I'm glad NIU is going for it, but apprehensive about the effects.

(11-21-2017 09:04 AM)bigredmachine Wrote:  Wow. This board is usually very pessimistic. Now it's ridiculously optimistic. This is the most brutal OOC schedule NIU will have ever played. This schedule will mean $$$$$. Viewed pessimistically, enrollment is down. Attendance is down. State support is down. So, NIU needs big paychecks to keep the program moving. I'm in favor of it, but we will lose all or most of these games, players will get injured, and this will put conference games in question. I'm glad NIU is going for it, but apprehensive about the effects.

If NIU can get one win out of those four games, it's worth it. People remember the Nebraska win, not the BC loss. Sure, FSU is a money grab. That's fine. Take the L. But the other games are reasonable to think you could get 1 win. Especially early in the season when teams don't have their feet firmly under them yet.

The injury concern vs bigger programs seems more hype than anything. Season Enders are usually more freak occurrences. Pugh sticking his arm out as a runner goes by..e.g. Many times it's a player rolling up on your knee. Not because someone big or fast hit you hard. They may have a few extra bruises after FSU, but I dont think serious injury occurrences increase. Not a discernible amount to care about.

Until we get a great QB, we are playing for MAC championships only. No reason to care too much about OOC wins and their impact on our ranking.

How can anyone not like this schedule? Lol

This Schedule is great for some potential boneyard victories, money and exposure. I was once afraid of Florida State but this is not the same Florida State we played in the orange bowl. Best time to play these teams is at the beginning of the season while they’re trying to get in their groove.... If we win two of these that’s a successful non-conference. We’ll be loaded at the QB position so if one goes down we’ll be ok. In no specific order assuming we don’t lose any to transferring we have Childers, Graham, and Santa with winning experience , Hall and Thompson in the wings. If you guys think this years QB situation was crazy. Next season will be even more interesting, lol.

(11-21-2017 10:25 AM)BDB5yp Wrote:  This Schedule is great for some potential boneyard victories, money and exposure. I was once afraid of Florida State but this is not the same Florida State we played in the orange bowl. Best time to play these teams is at the beginning of the season while they’re trying to get in their groove.... If we win two of these that’s a successful non-conference. We’ll be loaded at the QB position so if one goes down we’ll be ok. In no specific order assuming we don’t lose any to transferring we have Childers, Graham, and Santa with winning experience , Hall and Thompson in the wings. If you guys think this years QB situation was crazy. Next season will be even more interesting, lol.

I'm worried about being "loaded" at the QB position. Carey wont choose a QB to begin the year and there will be so many QBs moving in and out, will be tough to get any type of rhythm or have any type of coherence with receivers. Having options is also a detriment when decisions can't be made.

Iowa has proven to be a very inconsistent team for every OSU shocking win they had a letdown loss (Purdue ) only beat Minny by 7 Will have to check and see how many Seniors and early opt outs they will be losing, it could be substantial. If the Hawkeyes lose their finale regular season game at Nebraska they will end of 6-6, just barely bowl eligibie. Are 6-5

BYU got trounced by Wisky (40-6) lost to UT ST 40-24 lost at ecu 33-17 and at Fresno 17-10 plus the UMASS Loss at home 16-10. No reason why NIU cannot win that game.


Utah needs a win over Colorado at home this weekend to qualify for bowl eligibility. They squeaked out a win over BYU (19-13) have lost 5 of their last 6 including 1-3 at home. Are 6-5, another beatable team depending on how the Huskies can replace the graduating talent*Beebem Wyman, etc) they are loosing and how much the Freshman QB can improve going into year 2, considering he's a Freshmen he has performed as well as anyone could expect of him, he was #3 starting the season.

What some may be overlooking about FSU is their defense while good is not what it used to be either. in 9 games vs FBS competition they have surrrendered 225 points or 25 per game. If the Huskies can put up that many points by offense plus Defensive scoring, they should win.

(11-21-2017 02:42 PM)Policiious Wrote:  Iowa has proven to be a very inconsistent team for every OSU shocking win they had a letdown loss (Purdue ) only beat Minny by 7 Will have to check and see how many Seniors and early opt outs they will be losing, it could be substantial. If the Hawkeyes lose their finale regular season game at Nebraska they will end of 6-6, just barely bowl eligibie. Are 6-5

BYU got trounced by Wisky (40-6) lost to UT ST 40-24 lost at ecu 33-17 and at Fresno 17-10 plus the UMASS Loss at home 16-10. No reason why NIU cannot win that game.


Utah needs a win over Colorado at home this weekend to qualify for bowl eligibility. They squeaked out a win over BYU (19-13) have lost 5 of their last 6 including 1-3 at home. Are 6-5, another beatable team depending on how the Huskies can replace the graduating talent*Beebem Wyman, etc) they are loosing and how much the Freshman QB can improve going into year 2, considering he's a Freshmen he has performed as well as anyone could expect of him, he was #3 starting the season.

What some may be overlooking about FSU is their defense while good is not what it used to be either. in 9 games vs FBS competition they have surrrendered 225 points or 25 per game. If the Huskies can put up that many points by offense plus Defensive scoring, they should win.

Living in Utah I can add color for UofU and the Blue idiots to the south. BYU is down but, BYU at BYU is much different than playing BYU at NIU. BYU will reload, they don't have many down seasons. They will be back and maybe next year. Huskies need to play their top game at BYU to escape with a W, hostle place to play. They chuck jello salad at you during the game! (true) UofU, they play up for the big games, and down for the smaller teams (sounds like our Huskies sometimes). Utah played UW Huskies very tight, and their QB is getting better. Utah is a very winnable game at home next year. I rank our toughest NC teams next year like this. 1.FSU 2.Iowa 3.BYU 4.Utah
I would rather play Utah at NIU than BYU at BYU. Argure this, but I am right. BYU scares me, I don't even tow the boat through provo to hit local lakes.

(11-21-2017 02:42 PM)Policiious Wrote:  Iowa has proven to be a very inconsistent team for every OSU shocking win they had a letdown loss (Purdue ) only beat Minny by 7 Will have to check and see how many Seniors and early opt outs they will be losing, it could be substantial. If the Hawkeyes lose their finale regular season game at Nebraska they will end of 6-6, just barely bowl eligibie. Are 6-5

BYU got trounced by Wisky (40-6) lost to UT ST 40-24 lost at ecu 33-17 and at Fresno 17-10 plus the UMASS Loss at home 16-10. No reason why NIU cannot win that game.


Utah needs a win over Colorado at home this weekend to qualify for bowl eligibility. They squeaked out a win over BYU (19-13) have lost 5 of their last 6 including 1-3 at home. Are 6-5, another beatable team depending on how the Huskies can replace the graduating talent*Beebem Wyman, etc) they are loosing and how much the Freshman QB can improve going into year 2, considering he's a Freshmen he has performed as well as anyone could expect of him, he was #3 starting the season.

What some may be overlooking about FSU is their defense while good is not what it used to be either. in 9 games vs FBS competition they have surrrendered 225 points or 25 per game. If the Huskies can put up that many points by offense plus Defensive scoring, they should win.

I agree with this, with 2 of these at home, 3 of these 4 games should be winnable. A split would be a great thing to shoot for.

Here are the current Massey composite rankings for these teams

#28 Iowa
#46 Northern Illinois
#47 Florida State
#58 Utah
#113 BYU

I think BYU losing bronco mendenhall really set them back. He's got Virginia going in the right direction already and they were a bad team.

(11-21-2017 03:15 PM)MileHighHuskie Wrote:  

(11-21-2017 02:42 PM)Policiious Wrote:  Iowa has proven to be a very inconsistent team for every OSU shocking win they had a letdown loss (Purdue ) only beat Minny by 7 Will have to check and see how many Seniors and early opt outs they will be losing, it could be substantial. If the Hawkeyes lose their finale regular season game at Nebraska they will end of 6-6, just barely bowl eligibie. Are 6-5

BYU got trounced by Wisky (40-6) lost to UT ST 40-24 lost at ecu 33-17 and at Fresno 17-10 plus the UMASS Loss at home 16-10. No reason why NIU cannot win that game.


Utah needs a win over Colorado at home this weekend to qualify for bowl eligibility. They squeaked out a win over BYU (19-13) have lost 5 of their last 6 including 1-3 at home. Are 6-5, another beatable team depending on how the Huskies can replace the graduating talent*Beebem Wyman, etc) they are loosing and how much the Freshman QB can improve going into year 2, considering he's a Freshmen he has performed as well as anyone could expect of him, he was #3 starting the season.

What some may be overlooking about FSU is their defense while good is not what it used to be either. in 9 games vs FBS competition they have surrrendered 225 points or 25 per game. If the Huskies can put up that many points by offense plus Defensive scoring, they should win.

Living in Utah I can add color for UofU and the Blue idiots to the south. BYU is down but, BYU at BYU is much different than playing BYU at NIU. BYU will reload, they don't have many down seasons. They will be back and maybe next year. Huskies need to play their top game at BYU to escape with a W, hostle place to play. They chuck jello salad at you during the game! (true) UofU, they play up for the big games, and down for the smaller teams (sounds like our Huskies sometimes). Utah played UW Huskies very tight, and their QB is getting better. Utah is a very winnable game at home next year. I rank our toughest NC teams next year like this. 1.FSU 2.Iowa 3.BYU 4.Utah
I would rather play Utah at NIU than BYU at BYU. Argure this, but I am right. BYU scares me, I don't even tow the boat through provo to hit local lakes.

Having both Utah and BYU playing the Huskies in the same season means that NIU will be the measuring stick in arguments between fans of each school. I lived in Utah for almost two years, and you have to choose one side or the other, kind of like how people in Michigan have to choose U of M or State.

At Thanksgiving dinner tables across Utah in 2018, there will be conversations like, "Well, how did your school do against NIU? We only lost be 14, so there!".

RE: 2018 schedule - HOME & AWAY

Perhaps my source is outdated but 2018 BYU game is in Utah as is FSU and Iowa.

Of the four OCC games in 2018 only Utah is at home.

(11-22-2017 10:11 AM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  RE: 2018 schedule - HOME & AWAY

Perhaps my source is outdated but 2018 BYU game is in Utah as is FSU and Iowa.

Of the four OCC games in 2018 only Utah is at home.

Correct. We will have 5 home games. And if we again have 3 weekday night games, that would give us 2 Saturday games again.

(11-20-2017 11:53 AM)7 Wrote:  

(11-20-2017 11:11 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Is Florida State supposed to have that QB back, that got injured early this year?

Yes

Even if Francois doesn't come back Blackman will be much improved as he will have a year under his belt (size 32?). Blackman weighs about 170 lbs and is tall. If he puts on twenty, twenty five lbs of muscle he will be like Winston. I have watched all FSU games as Dau and son-in-law both went there, and the Seminole Problem is offensive line and defensive coordinator. He will be fired but luckily our DC is not on the replacement list. However if Fisher goes to Texas AM everything is up in the air. No matter what WE WILL NOT BEAT FSU.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(11-22-2017 10:21 AM)pantone1935 Wrote:  

(11-20-2017 11:53 AM)7 Wrote:  

(11-20-2017 11:11 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Is Florida State supposed to have that QB back, that got injured early this year?

Yes

Even if Francois doesn't come back Blackman will be much improved as he will have a year under his belt (size 32?). Blackman weighs about 170 lbs and is tall. If he puts on twenty, twenty five lbs of muscle he will be like Winston. I have watched all FSU games as Dau and son-in-law both went there, and the Seminole Problem is offensive line and defensive coordinator. He will be fired but luckily our DC is not on the replacement list. However if Fisher goes to Texas AM everything is up in the air. No matter what WE WILL NOT BEAT FSU.

I tend to agree with much of your assessment and prediction.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!