Game 9—Northern Illinois Huskies

[Dr Z]

Thursday game will be televised by CBS Sports Network. The White Out game will kick off at 7 pm.

[Dr Z]

Huskies favored by 4.5. 

 

I have not watched an NIU game this year, but just looking at the stats (which is always a terrible idea) below, the teams seem very similar. 

 

 

[NWAkron]

As much as I would like a clear, crisp evening for the game maybe the miserable weather will be an equalizer.

[Blue & Gold]

7 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

As much as I would like a clear, crisp evening for the game maybe the miserable weather will be an equalizer.

[Lee Adams]

NIU went to BYU and 'beat' them 7-6? While BYU isn't the points machine it usually is that is one hell of an accomplishment. Does not bode well for Zips offense given what we have seen so far. Better hope that NIU is 'flat' early and the Zips can put up points in the first quarter. Otherwise NIU may grind them down.

[Zipmeister]

Zips by 14.

[Section210Zip]

I'm really interested in what Vegas decides on the over/under. We hold teams to a low score (23.6 ave) and both teams are the worst in putting up pts in the Mac (Akron 22.4 NIU 17.1). NIU coming off of a game that only 13pts are scored....... Vegas doesn't like to go under 40 and they will probably set it around 44. I would take the under. 

[Section210Zip]

well they set the o/u at 38

[Zipmeister]

On 10/26/2018 at 10:32 AM, Dr Z said:

Thursday game will be televised by CBS Sports Network. The White Out game will kick off at 7 pm.

 

A white out game? Seriously?  I hope the maintenance crew has started painting the stands white.

Edited October 29, 2018 by Zipmeister
.

[Lee Adams]

5 minutes ago, Zipmeister said:

 

A white out game? Seriously?  I hope the maintenance crew has started painting the stands white.

Any give aways? Thursday night. Cold. Probably rain. Count the actual butts in seats. Doubt many in section 212 will be there.

[NWAkron]

1 hour ago, Lee Adams said:

Any give aways? Thursday night. Cold. Probably rain. Count the actual butts in seats. Doubt many in section 212 will be there.

Ugh.  More like a "GrayOut." Forcast hasn't changed for Thursday.  I will be there.  Used to this rain thing.

[Section210Zip]

at least the ponchos they had given away are white.  

[Captain Kangaroo]

14 hours ago, Zipmeister said:

 

A white out game? Seriously?  I hope the maintenance crew has started painting the stands white.

Is the crew that used to paint the Rubber Bowl bathrooms completely white every season...right down to the inside of the toilet bowl...still together? Let 'em have at it!

 

[zippy5]

Any word on Jamal Davis's injury?

[Dr Z]

 

• Lako went from (undersized) walk-on to MAC defensive player of the week. 

• Brian Bell has a hamstring issue.

• NIU has a great defense, and they score just enough to win. They don't care about stats.

• We went back to basics on Sunday practice, how to hold on to the ball. 

• NIU leads the league in sacks #15 is one of the best at it. 

• NIU blitzes through the run lanes. 

•  You can pick up stuff watching a game live (BYU vs NIU) rather than the tape because announcers can give away stuff during the broadcast. They get to interview the coaches during the week. 

[Dr Z]

Coach singles out "number fifteen" in his press conference calling him one of the best. Sutton Smith, #15, is 11th in the nation in sacks with 7.  According to Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune...The redshirt junior spent the offseason figuring out how to add to his frame and his legacy, which he said he hopes will include a Heisman Trophy candidacy. “Everyone says (opponents) have had a year to prepare for me,” Smith said. “I look at it differently. I say I’ve had a year to prepare for them.” His formula for adding about 20 pounds of muscle, bulking up to 241? “A lot of freaking eating,” he said. He consumes about 6,000 to 7,000 calories per day, including three 1,500-calorie protein shakes. He eats every 2½ hours, devouring broccoli, rice and chicken like it’s a job. At home this summer in Missouri, he and his older brother spent hours in the gym.

 

 

Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

 

[monrowe]

The football team needs to play like they did against Northwestern the rest of the season. Calling all two deeps, please step up and win its in you, please stay focused! Also there are a lot of undisciplined MAC football players its just not UofA.

[Section210Zip]

I watched their game with BYU. They solely rely on their defense and their line is scary. They don't have an offence. They try to just manage the amount of possessions you get and try to keep you backed up on field position. They only pass because they have to,  just to try and open up the run. They did lull BYU's secondary into being out of position a couple of times but the NIU receivers dropped the passes. The game came down to a couple of penalties. BYU was called for pass interference on 3rd down that lead to the only scoring drive NIU had. BYU had a 1st and goal in the 3rd quarter but had back to back false starts that lead to the 2nd FG. 

 

NIU is similar to our 2015 team in that they play their own game and let you lose it for yourself. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Would be nice to get Brian Bell back. 

[Lee Adams]

I was looking at the NIU MAC stats yesterday. Two things jumped out. Their QB and this guy. Sutton Smith is a sack/tackle machine. With the lets say inconsistent play of the Zips O-line Bowden/Milwee better not have KN holding on to the ball or trying to run around behind the line. He might not make the end of the game. If NIU place press on the WR's they better figure a way to get the ball to a Tight end behind the backers. Can the Zips even run on these guys?  Score early if possible and hope the defense can control the game.

[94zipgrad]

5 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

I was looking at the NIU MAC stats yesterday. Two things jumped out. Their QB and this guy. Sutton Smith is a sack/tackle machine. With the lets say inconsistent play of the Zips O-line Bowden/Milwee better not have KN holding on to the ball or trying to run around behind the line. He might not make the end of the game. If NIU place press on the WR's they better figure a way to get the ball to a Tight end behind the backers. Can the Zips even run on these guys?  Score early if possible and hope the defense can control the game.

I agree, I think quick pass pattens.  Stays, slants, WR screens.  I think this D-Line would come hard & screens to RB could work if executed well

 

Please don’t stick with usual vertical routes that take time, at this time the blocking has been bad & Kato is tucking & running before WR can even run their routes

Edited October 31, 2018 by 94zipgrad

[zipsoutsider]

1 hour ago, 94zipgrad said:

I agree, I think quick pass pattens.  Stays, slants, WR screens.  I think this D-Line would come hard & screens to RB could work if executed well

 

Please don’t stick with usual vertical routes that take time, at this time the blocking has been bad & Kato is tucking & running before WR can even run their routes

Shovel pass in lieu of the run, too. 

[ZipsVoice]

2 hours ago, 94zipgrad said:

Kato is tucking & running before WR can even run their routes

Amen, brother!

[ewbrooman1]

On 10/29/2018 at 9:29 PM, NWAkron said:

Ugh.  More like a "GrayOut." Forcast hasn't changed for Thursday.  I will be there.  Used to this rain thing.

Well, the bleacher seats are silver/grey. I think we have one of these every game. Enjoy, I don't do 40s and rain any more. I'll sell you my white poncho that only has Bryant Heating logo and no UA i.d. on it. 

[Blue & Gold]

ABJ: NIU defense a tough task for Zips

 

...don’t expect a lot of scoring.

The Huskies (5-3, 4-0 in Mid-American Conference) are coming off a 7-6 win over BYU. In today’s sports landscape, that’s a good American League baseball game.