For comments regarding this upcoming game. NIU is 2-1 in conference and 3-4 overall and on a two game win streak.

Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

(10-16-2023 06:35 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

Good points, Sellers. With us being 4-3 now, my hope is ultimately we win out and head to Detroit but realistically I'm hoping we split the next 2 with NIU and WMU. That leaves us @Toledo, Home against Akron and @Buffalo. With those final 3 I am hopeful we win against Akron and Buffalo sending us to 7-5 with a decent bowl.

With CC's concern with the offense after 7 games and my outlook on the offense with the way it's been, I think 7-5 would be a good season. We just can't seem to get it clicking in the pass game and teams have been loading up in the box making it tougher on the run game.

If we are to beat NIU, we will need the following....
1. Austin has to use his legs
2. We need Hamze to continue to be a threat in Special Teams returns
3. Make Rocky throw. He's a good QB, but doesnt have a stellar arm. To do this, we need Merrit, Swindle, Price to clog the middle and force NIU to pass. Merrit played exceptional last week and hopefully that was a breakout game for him.

Seeing NIU as a 12.5 point favorite seems too big for me. I think it will be closer than that.

Dear Friends,
I'm not sold on the superiority of Northern Illinois. Their run defense has been good, but their pass defense so-so. That is the problem for us because Smith has been so inconsistent. It doesn't matter how well they may have played against other teams, the point is they are 3-4. They can be beaten.

(10-16-2023 09:09 AM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 06:35 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

Good points, Sellers. With us being 4-3 now, my hope is ultimately we win out and head to Detroit but realistically I'm hoping we split the next 2 with NIU and WMU. That leaves us @Toledo, Home against Akron and @Buffalo. With those final 3 I am hopeful we win against Akron and Buffalo sending us to 7-5 with a decent bowl.

With CC's concern with the offense after 7 games and my outlook on the offense with the way it's been, I think 7-5 would be a good season. We just can't seem to get it clicking in the pass game and teams have been loading up in the box making it tougher on the run game.

If we are to beat NIU, we will need the following....
1. Austin has to use his legs
2. We need Hamze to continue to be a threat in Special Teams returns
3. Make Rocky throw. He's a good QB, but doesnt have a stellar arm. To do this, we need Merrit, Swindle, Price to clog the middle and force NIU to pass. Merrit played exceptional last week and hopefully that was a breakout game for him.

Seeing NIU as a 12.5 point favorite seems too big for me. I think it will be closer than that.

It's 12.5? That also seems high to me. I would have guessed maybe 6. The other teams that beat us made us throw, and they also got pressure on the QB. I think our O-line has played a bit better lately and that's been a huge difference. I think we'll struggle defending against a mobile QB. We've been getting some pressure on the QB here and there but don't seem fast enough to chase down QBs.

As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

(10-16-2023 01:03 PM)holybovine Wrote:  As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

CC doesn't get blown out often.

(10-16-2023 01:03 PM)holybovine Wrote:  As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

Bovine normally I agree with you but not on this one. I think our Defense keeps us in this one. If we get at least decent production out of Austin then we stand a chance.

(10-16-2023 03:05 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 01:03 PM)holybovine Wrote:  As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

Bovine normally I agree with you but not on this one. I think our Defense keeps us in this one. If we get at least decent production out of Austin then we stand a chance.

I agree……..I think as badly as the O has played, we have been in most games.

I feel the offense seems confusing for our QB based on the reads made. I hate when we do an RPO fake a run and drop back that seems too long to develop and results in a sack. How about an adjustment by OC to allow Austin to just take the snap and pass it or hand off once in awhile. Simplifying the offense may work wonders for everyone.

(10-16-2023 10:01 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 09:09 AM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 06:35 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

Good points, Sellers. With us being 4-3 now, my hope is ultimately we win out and head to Detroit but realistically I'm hoping we split the next 2 with NIU and WMU. That leaves us @Toledo, Home against Akron and @Buffalo. With those final 3 I am hopeful we win against Akron and Buffalo sending us to 7-5 with a decent bowl.

With CC's concern with the offense after 7 games and my outlook on the offense with the way it's been, I think 7-5 would be a good season. We just can't seem to get it clicking in the pass game and teams have been loading up in the box making it tougher on the run game.

If we are to beat NIU, we will need the following....
1. Austin has to use his legs
2. We need Hamze to continue to be a threat in Special Teams returns
3. Make Rocky throw. He's a good QB, but doesnt have a stellar arm. To do this, we need Merrit, Swindle, Price to clog the middle and force NIU to pass. Merrit played exceptional last week and hopefully that was a breakout game for him.

Seeing NIU as a 12.5 point favorite seems too big for me. I think it will be closer than that.

It's 12.5? That also seems high to me. I would have guessed maybe 6. The other teams that beat us made us throw, and they also got pressure on the QB. I think our O-line has played a bit better lately and that's been a huge difference. I think we'll struggle defending against a mobile QB. We've been getting some pressure on the QB here and there but don't seem fast enough to chase down QBs.

007, Creighton has just TWO wins against you!

I also think that most of us assume incorrectly that an African American QB like Smith is "mobile", mainly because he is a not a great passer. Honestly, Hutch was a far greater threat with his legs, Austin is no Mike Glass.

We win only if your 7th year QB coughs up the ball.

(10-16-2023 06:35 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 10:01 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 09:09 AM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 06:35 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

Good points, Sellers. With us being 4-3 now, my hope is ultimately we win out and head to Detroit but realistically I'm hoping we split the next 2 with NIU and WMU. That leaves us @Toledo, Home against Akron and @Buffalo. With those final 3 I am hopeful we win against Akron and Buffalo sending us to 7-5 with a decent bowl.

With CC's concern with the offense after 7 games and my outlook on the offense with the way it's been, I think 7-5 would be a good season. We just can't seem to get it clicking in the pass game and teams have been loading up in the box making it tougher on the run game.

If we are to beat NIU, we will need the following....
1. Austin has to use his legs
2. We need Hamze to continue to be a threat in Special Teams returns
3. Make Rocky throw. He's a good QB, but doesnt have a stellar arm. To do this, we need Merrit, Swindle, Price to clog the middle and force NIU to pass. Merrit played exceptional last week and hopefully that was a breakout game for him.

Seeing NIU as a 12.5 point favorite seems too big for me. I think it will be closer than that.

It's 12.5? That also seems high to me. I would have guessed maybe 6. The other teams that beat us made us throw, and they also got pressure on the QB. I think our O-line has played a bit better lately and that's been a huge difference. I think we'll struggle defending against a mobile QB. We've been getting some pressure on the QB here and there but don't seem fast enough to chase down QBs.

007, Creighton has just TWO wins against you!

I also think that most of us assume incorrectly that an African American QB like Smith is "mobile", mainly because he is a not a great passer. Honestly, Hutch was a far greater threat with his legs, Austin is no Mike Glass.

We win only if your 7th year QB coughs up the ball.

I thought I saw some highlights where he was running and he looked pretty mobile to me. Unless that was a different QB playing.

(10-16-2023 09:43 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 06:35 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 10:01 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 09:09 AM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 06:35 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Not really loving the feel of this game. I've shifted my hopes to making a bowl and basically just look at the month of October for now. I'm hoping we split our last two games to get to 5-4 going into November.

As '79 points out, NIU has won two in a row including a win against a very good Ohio team last week. More than that, their last loss was a VERY close loss to Toledo in the Glass bowl. They also have a power-five win against Boston College. So this is a team that I think is much better than their 3-4 record. Hammock also seems similar to McElwain...they both seem to have Creighton's number.

They have a balanced offense, but the run game seems to be their strength. We all know Lombardi is kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-light (i.e. he isn't super fast, but is hard to bring down and can move for a bigger QB). Given we have a hard time stopping the run, I except them to run it right at as quite a bit (remember last year they ran for 287 yards against us, the year before that 242, and before that 199 in a game we won). Looking at the two games they gave up a bunch of points (35 to both Nebraska and Toledo), it seems like they were beaten mostly by the run in both games, and in both games it was the quarterback for Nebraska and Toledo who did a lot of damage on the ground. So hopefully we can get Smith involved in the run game.

Weather is supposed to be okay, so that shouldn't be an issue. NIU is a 13 point favorite, and ESPN has them with a 77.8% chance of winning...which frankly sounds about right to me.

Good points, Sellers. With us being 4-3 now, my hope is ultimately we win out and head to Detroit but realistically I'm hoping we split the next 2 with NIU and WMU. That leaves us @Toledo, Home against Akron and @Buffalo. With those final 3 I am hopeful we win against Akron and Buffalo sending us to 7-5 with a decent bowl.

With CC's concern with the offense after 7 games and my outlook on the offense with the way it's been, I think 7-5 would be a good season. We just can't seem to get it clicking in the pass game and teams have been loading up in the box making it tougher on the run game.

If we are to beat NIU, we will need the following....
1. Austin has to use his legs
2. We need Hamze to continue to be a threat in Special Teams returns
3. Make Rocky throw. He's a good QB, but doesnt have a stellar arm. To do this, we need Merrit, Swindle, Price to clog the middle and force NIU to pass. Merrit played exceptional last week and hopefully that was a breakout game for him.

Seeing NIU as a 12.5 point favorite seems too big for me. I think it will be closer than that.

It's 12.5? That also seems high to me. I would have guessed maybe 6. The other teams that beat us made us throw, and they also got pressure on the QB. I think our O-line has played a bit better lately and that's been a huge difference. I think we'll struggle defending against a mobile QB. We've been getting some pressure on the QB here and there but don't seem fast enough to chase down QBs.

007, Creighton has just TWO wins against you!

I also think that most of us assume incorrectly that an African American QB like Smith is "mobile", mainly because he is a not a great passer. Honestly, Hutch was a far greater threat with his legs, Austin is no Mike Glass.

We win only if your 7th year QB coughs up the ball.

I thought I saw some highlights where he was running and he looked pretty mobile to me. Unless that was a different QB playing.

I think you two might be talking about two different things.

Smith is certainly mobile. In fact, I would say he is probably faster than Mike Glass in the open field. He ran for 71 yards against CMU. He isn't super elusive or anything like that though. If none of his receivers are open and he has some open space in front of him he has good straight line speed and he'll burn you for 20 yards or so.

So while he is fast, I wouldn't say he is a very....effective runner. He often gives up on a play too fast and runs at bad times, or doesn't run when he should. He also isn't going to make a guy miss in the open field nor is he big enough to run through a guy like NIU's QB.

Going back to the Glass comparison, I never thought of Mike as a running QB or overly fast or anything like that. He was very effective, he knew when to run, he seemed to have a knack for a play like 3rd and 4-6 yards, if the play broke down he could run and always seemed to get to the sticks.

So I would say Smith is mobile, just not always effective as a runner.

(10-16-2023 03:33 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 03:05 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 01:03 PM)holybovine Wrote:  As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

Bovine normally I agree with you but not on this one. I think our Defense keeps us in this one. If we get at least decent production out of Austin then we stand a chance.

I agree……..I think as badly as the O has played, we have been in most games.

I feel the offense seems confusing for our QB based on the reads made. I hate when we do an RPO fake a run and drop back that seems too long to develop and results in a sack. How about an adjustment by OC to allow Austin to just take the snap and pass it or hand off once in awhile. Simplifying the offense may work wonders for everyone.

Spot on. We need to make this easier for Austin. Our O-line is banged up and we give up sacks. It's time to make for quicker throws. With receivers like Jaylon out of the backfield, Hamze and Tanner this shouldn't be hard. The long ball with Austin has been not good. Short throws with roll outs to get shorter 2nd and 3rd downs is where we need to live. Keep an extra RB to sit with Austin and act as a blocker.

(10-17-2023 08:45 AM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 03:33 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 03:05 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 01:03 PM)holybovine Wrote:  As I said on their board:
1) I expect a double-digit spread (check)
2) We are going to get hollowed-out, as the kids say.

Not going to be pretty.

Bovine normally I agree with you but not on this one. I think our Defense keeps us in this one. If we get at least decent production out of Austin then we stand a chance.

I agree……..I think as badly as the O has played, we have been in most games.

I feel the offense seems confusing for our QB based on the reads made. I hate when we do an RPO fake a run and drop back that seems too long to develop and results in a sack. How about an adjustment by OC to allow Austin to just take the snap and pass it or hand off once in awhile. Simplifying the offense may work wonders for everyone.

Spot on. We need to make this easier for Austin. Our O-line is banged up and we give up sacks. It's time to make for quicker throws. With receivers like Jaylon out of the backfield, Hamze and Tanner this shouldn't be hard. The long ball with Austin has been not good. Short throws with roll outs to get shorter 2nd and 3rd downs is where we need to live. Keep an extra RB to sit with Austin and act as a blocker.

Good points, Steve.

We have been banged up at LT, LG, and C. Think Lee was the third center we 'very used recently.

I’m going for the upset here:

EMU 24
NIU 20

(10-19-2023 11:18 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  I’m going for the upset here:

EMU 24
NIU 20

That would be AWESOME. If we were to win and get to 5-3 and 3-1 in conference that would have to put us at or near the top for the lead.

I'm hoping we win and who knows with the way we have been playing. Truly a guessing game. If our offense shows up, we have a very good chance with the way our defense is this year.