Anybody follow Northern Illinois? What do we know about them? Are they bad, average, good? What do they try to do and what will we learn about the Hawks?
Northern Illinois - game 1 of 2018, what do we know about them?
- Thread starter Pepperman
- Start date
It seems like they win in Lincoln every time they play there. That’s about all I know of them.
Orange bowl team a few years back but unfamiliar with their current condition....
Former Iowa WR Jonathan Parker is there on the roster.
Something tells me they're going to run the jet sweep!
NIU, had been the class of the MAC the last decade with multiple appearances in their conference championship game. Their offensive play calling is usually done at the line of scrimmage. I don't expect them to be making too many big plays against us. They will more likely dink and dunk down the field for TD's. Considering its the first game of the season I expect them to have a couple of trick or gimmicky plays. I expect our LBS will get a good test. As for their defense they weren't too good at stopping people last year. I believe we will be much bigger than them and should be able to out physical them at the line. Given that Stanley is the QB, we should be able to throw the ball more then the last two times we played them. I believe our predictable play calling from those last two games allowed NIU to beat us once and almost beat us the other time
This is a better first game than either isu or UNI.
I'd prefer the new LB unit get some experience with uni first personally....
They have recruited a lot of talented WI kids in the last few years.
8-5 last year, lost to Duke by 24 points in their Bowl game, beat Debby last year, but lost to Boston College and San Diego State, beat Buffalo by 1, tied for 2nd in their Division of the MAC (6-2 conference record).
Always a good game, on par with the Clowns (if not better), definitely better than UNI.
Guessing the Clowns will be weaker in 2018 than the 2017 version, is that how everyone else sees it?
Beat UN-L in Lincoln last season but everyone did that.
Let’s hope he still returns kicks
Yes, but the version that gave the ball up close to his own goal line, and not the one who took one to the house for six.......
I know that they should not try to win when they come to Iowa City in September.
Based on the last time, along with other encounters against other Big Ten teams, their fans deserve to experience an L.
Thank you.
Based on the last time, along with other encounters against other Big Ten teams, their fans deserve to experience an L.
Thank you.
Northern Illinois finished 76th in the Sagarin ratings, which was close to some familiar faces:
- 73 Wyoming
- 74 Arkansas
- 75 Nebraska
- 76 Northern Illinois
- 77 Maryland
- 78 Northern Iowa
- Offense: ranked 93rd in total offense, 60th in scoring offense
- Freshman QB started after their 5th game last year, throwing for 16 TDs and 5 Ints
- Lose their top RB who averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year
- Top WR is back, but their 2nd and 3rd leading receivers graduated
- 1st Team MAC TE graduated
- Defense: ranked 26th in total defense, 32nd in scoring defense
- Sophomore DE won MAC defensive player of the year and returns for Junior season - he tallied 14 sacks last year
- Lose LB who led team in tackles, but return perhaps their best overall LB who was 2nd in team in tackles and led team with 5 interceptions (2 for TDs)
- Lose top 2 DBs in terms of passes defended
Very solid first opponent. They were a bit offensively challenged last year, but they will not come in to IC in awe or not thinking they can't win. Iowa will have to play well.
It sounds to me like they will be very limited offensively. On one hand, that's probably good for our defense - especially the young LBs and newer secondary guys. On the other hand, they're going to get a big test when ISU rolls into town week 2.
^^^Loses key players/starters in the weeks prior to the game while Iowa has most everyone healthy except for one or two fairly replaceable positions that we all believe are better than whatever they have across the ball........................................leads most of game against Iowa, Iowa makes a comeback effort, but turns the ball over late and loses just because.
Bafu......
Yes, but the version that gave the ball up close to his own goal line, and not the one who took one to the house for six.......
I don’t recall that he took a kick to the house. Find it interesting he is listed at cb on the NI roster.
