Sep 7 | NIU

[IrishLax]

I don't think we need to shit on NIU just because they have fans that are excited about their team.

 

[Huntr]

I mean I tend to agree, but there's a difference between being excited for your team and calling aTm a "below average" football team. Particularly when coached by Mike Elko.

It's okay to be excited. It's also okay to be somewhat realistic.

Have you ever read this board before?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Have you ever read this board before?

lol some posters are better than others

 

[GrangerIrish24]

lol some posters are better than others

Sup

 

[ND7983]

Brown is a good RB, but I have zero doubt Al Golden will have the boys containing him.

DL Rashein Thomas is someone they need to make sure they put a hat on. Senior DE.

That kid got hurt in late summer camp & was ruled out for a long period then.
He wasn’t even on their depth chart at the beginning of the season (obviously didn’t play last week) and isnt this week either.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

That kid got hurt in late summer camp & was ruled out for a long period then.
He wasn’t even on their depth chart at the beginning of the season (obviously didn’t play last week) and isnt this week either.

Which kid

 

[SDIrishFan]

Which kid

Raishein Thomas appears to a scratch for this game. He was their best defender.

 

[Irish#1]

Did they say anything about me?!

Yes, but it was redacted.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

That kid got hurt in late summer camp & was ruled out for a long period then.
He wasn’t even on their depth chart at the beginning of the season (obviously didn’t play last week) and isnt this week either.

That really sucks for NIU, then.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Yes, but it was redacted.

That decision will haunt them forever

 

[ND7983]

Raishein Thomas appears to a scratch for this game. He was their best defender.

Here is the funny thing…

He was a scratch WEEKS AGO! LOL
He got seriously injured in camp and wasn’t even on their season depth chart last week.
He didn’t play last week &, just like last week, isn’t on the depth chart this week.

BGI is saying he is a possible scratch after seeing it on Twitter. LOL
Why not just look at the depth chart they released yesterday at their presser?

I understand it’s a lot to ask BGI to know opponents’ rosters, but when it’s this week’s opponent’s best player, you probably should notice he isn’t even on the depth chart.

 

[Irish#1]

I expect better play all around, but I'm looking to clean up the penalties. Those will eventually come back to bite you.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Here is the funny thing…

He was a scratch WEEKS AGO! LOL
He got seriously injured in camp and wasn’t even on their season depth chart last week.
He didn’t play last week &, just like last week, isn’t on the depth chart this week.

BGI is saying he is a possible scratch after seeing it on Twitter. LOL
Why not just look at the depth chart they released yesterday at their presser?

I understand it’s a lot to ask BGI to know opponents’ rosters, but when it’s this week’s opponent’s best player, you probably should notice he isn’t even on the depth chart.

I'll be honest, I am going off of my opponent notes from the preseason mags. I haven't even seen a two deep yet and didn't know he was injured. This is good to know.

It's a big loss for them not only for this game but in the long run for their league. They should be able to compete for the MAC this year.

 

[SDIrishFan]

Here is the funny thing…

He was a scratch WEEKS AGO! LOL
He got seriously injured in camp and wasn’t even on their season depth chart last week.
He didn’t play last week &, just like last week, isn’t on the depth chart this week.

BGI is saying he is a possible scratch after seeing it on Twitter. LOL
Why not just look at the depth chart they released yesterday at their presser?

I understand it’s a lot to ask BGI to know opponents’ rosters, but when it’s this week’s opponent’s best player, you probably should notice he isn’t even on the depth chart.

Right, all I saw was that he didn't play the first game because of an injury, and I didn't see him on the depth chart this week, so I put 2 and 2 together.

 

[MrNimbus]

I don't want this season to be "prove riley leonard is an nfl quarterback" season. Use him like a poor man's tim tebow if it'll win a championship. He's a fantastic runner. Use that a lot more. He looked deadly at times Saturday.

 

[rtrn2glory]

My pessimist side remembers ball St in 2018 after a big win against Michigan. I hope this weekend is less stressful

 

[Irish#1]

I don't want this season to be "prove riley leonard is an nfl quarterback" season. Use him like a poor man's tim tebow if it'll win a championship. He's a fantastic runner. Use that a lot more. He looked deadly at times Saturday.

He was faster than what I expected.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

My pessimist side remembers ball St in 2018 after a big win against Michigan. I hope this weekend is less stressful

That team ended up going 12-0.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

That team ended up going 12-0.

I remember that game well and 2 things stood out:

1) "Hangovers" against lesser opponents after a big win happen all of the time. That's obviously a main concern and one that Freeman mentioned in his presser this week, that it's up to him and his staff to ensure that they aren't still patting themselves on the back after a week 1 win. They're playing an opponent in NIU that is no stranger to close games against P4 competition.

2) BK essentially taking Wimbush's biggest strength, his legs, out of the gameplan offensively was one of the dumbest things I had ever seen. He flat out denied it, and it was a bullshit lie.

 

[stpeteirish]

Sounds like NIU plays a "bend but don't break" defense. Not a lot of sacks or TFLs but not a lot of big plays given up either. Pass D was 6th in the nation last yea. But that's vs a MAC schedule and the only P5 teams they played were Nebraska and BC, two poor passing teams. Red zone trips should be frequent. Get TDs, not FGs and we'll be fine.

Offense is RTDB. They were 26th in the nation in rushing and 106th in passing last year (and their QB graduated!). Can our front seven handle the run? One would hope so. NIU does return their entire OL and their RB is probably their best player. Bet we use three LBs most of the game.

A little old school football would be good for the soul.

 

[Irish#1]

I remember that game well and 2 things stood out:

1) "Hangovers" against lesser opponents after a big win happen all of the time. That's obviously a main concern and one that Freeman mentioned in his presser this week, that it's up to him and his staff to ensure that they aren't still patting themselves on the back after a week 1 win. They're playing an opponent in NIU that is no stranger to close games against P4 competition.

2) BK essentially taking Wimbush's biggest strength, his legs, out of the gameplan offensively was one of the dumbest things I had ever seen. He flat out denied it, and it was a bullshit lie.

With the penalties, blitz pickups and minimal trips to the RZ, there's plenty to focus on. That BSU game is by far the most frustrating game I've sat through. One failed opportunity after another.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

With the penalties, blitz pickups and minimal trips to the RZ, there's plenty to focus on. That BSU game is by far the most frustrating game I've sat through. One failed opportunity after another.

The strangest part of the game was the amount of penalties on the o-line

 

[NDVirginia19]

Biggest difference for this year's team and previous Freeman teams is that we are going to have a legitimately experienced Offensive Coordinator who will either come out of the gates hot and scoring, or will be able to quickly adapt and keep the offense level if there is any problems to start the game. I think the leadership is excellent on the team and I really don't worry about falling short in moments like this for this year. Doesn't mean we will cover every game, but I really can't fathom winning by any less than 21 points on Saturday

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Sounds like NIU plays a "bend but don't break" defense. Not a lot of sacks or TFLs but not a lot of big plays given up either. Pass D was 6th in the nation last yea. But that's vs a MAC schedule and the only P5 teams they played were Nebraska and BC, two poor passing teams. Red zone trips should be frequent. Get TDs, not FGs and we'll be fine.

Offense is RTDB. They were 26th in the nation in rushing and 106th in passing last year (and their QB graduated!). Can our front seven handle the run? One would hope so. NIU does return their entire OL and their RB is probably their best player. Bet we use three LBs most of the game.

A little old school football would be good for the soul.

Bend, but don’t break?
Death by a thousand bubble screens!

 

[Katzenboyer]

My pessimist side remembers ball St in 2018 after a big win against Michigan. I hope this weekend is less stressful

Counterpoint: our QB isn't Brandon Wimbush (who seems like a fine young man, but also capped our offensive ceiling at 20-24 points that year).

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Counterpoint: our QB isn't Brandon Wimbush (who seems like a fine young man, but also capped our offensive ceiling at 20-24 points that year).

Not to mention we didn't' even have our HC or coordinators on the team back then.

 

[arndtjc]

They out-athleted A&M in the Texas heat, I’d be very surprised if they don’t cover against a MAC school

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

They out-athleted A&M in the Texas heat, I’d be very surprised if they don’t cover against a MAC school

I took ND -28.5 and the over. But this is an obvious let down spot, I wouldn't be surprised if NIU covered at all.