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Topic: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Topic: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

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Ted Thompson
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Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/25/2011 2:13:08 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: December 2nd, 2011 7:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois (9-3, MAC 7-1)

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Ohio Radio

Webcast: ESPN3

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NIU's media guide, roster and statistics.

Fan sites: NIU Dog Pound

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S Xavier Hughes - Out for season (shoulder)
TE Zac Clark - Out for season (knee)
TE Troy Hill - Out for season (knee)
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71 BOBCAT
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 9:44:06 AM

My guess is that NIU will be favored in this game by any where between 5-8 points. This doesn't disappointment me at all. I'm waiting for the season stats to be available through the conference web site after the 12th game. I am curious as to the strengths & weaknesses of NIU.
I must say that I was not impressed by their play against EMU yesterday. Harnish is a good scrambler and will give our D a challenge. However, we have a similar QB, which our D practiced with all year.
Frank has done a great job this year and I think he has them mentally prepared to finish off the season strong. We do have an additional 3 days rest over NIU.
I do remain concerned about injuries, ie. Keller for this game. We need all hands on deck for these next 2 games.

GO BOBCATS

LoganElm_grad09
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 6:38:59 PM

I think this will be a high scoring game; somewhere in the 30's or 40's. The key to this game will be the defensive line. We're going to need them to play the game of their lives against NIU. If our front four can pressure Harnish, we will be in business. If not, they will have a lot of success against us. Turnovers are a must.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 6:50:58 PM

Logan...do you think the key is the DL, or actually will it be our linebackers? I'm thinking the latter.

LoganElm_grad09
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 7:16:12 PM

Jeff- the linebackers will be huge, yes, but I would say the defensive line. Here's why-

1- Unless it's different at this level or scheme, outside contain is left to the defensive ends, where the ends have to force the offense to run in the middle. If you let Chandler Harnish scramble on third down, or let them get their run game going, we're in deep trouble. Make them bounce everything back to the inside and force them to grind every drive out.

2- I want our defensive line to pressure Harnish with out help from the backers. Check the Sugar bowl last year between Ohio State and Arkansas- even Arkansas high powered offense was no match for Vernon Gholston on the defensive line; he had to be double teamed by offensive lineman. This can free up a linebacker on blitzes or allow another man in coverage.

3- Stop the play at the point of attack. Get NIU to have to make cuts and juke to get away from our players. If you don't let them run downhill on you, they will suffer from it. This also takes some things from point 2- our backers can make more plays if they are freed up from blocks. They have 7 blockers (minus 2 recievers, 1 QB, and 1 RB) on 7 players. One man takes two blockers. Math stacks up for us.

So in conclusion, in my mind, while they may not get the numbers on the stat sheet, the defensive line will be the most important to step up.

One more tidbit- our defensive line hasn't had a player on it really show he can take over in a game when it's on the line. The backers have Noah Keller.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 7:21:49 PM

Good post, Logan.

LoganElm_grad09
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/26/2011 7:25:52 PM

Thanks. The bottom line, if you want to keep NIU from scoring, stop Harnish before he gets started.

Cats-22
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/27/2011 5:08:43 PM

Line opens at NIU -3 and moves to -2.5.

drinkmoxie
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/27/2011 9:55:48 PM

LoganElm_grad09 wrote:

The front four causing pressure is a must, but our secondary cannot give their receivers a five yard cushion when it is 3rd down and less than 6. I know our opponents 3rd down conversion rate is not spectacular, but sure seems like we give up way too many first downs by not pressuring the receivers. If we zone blitz you have to bring up the coverage or slants and crossing routes are a gimme.

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oubobcatjohn
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 12:46:11 AM

I think this is our best chance we have had under Solich to win the MAC Title game. Ohio has a far more dynamic offense this year and has the gamebreakers in Tettleton, Brazil and Harden. The defense is not as good as past teams but its improved since our slump in mid October. The healthy return of a couple players on defense has helped. Ohio has experience in the kicking game. Gotta like having a kicker in Weller who has long range and very accurate from 50 in. NIU has the senior QB that doesn't make mistakes. Bobcats gotta avoid turnovers. NIU is not the team to give short field to. Gotta tackle and contain Harnish when he runs. Mobile QB's have stun Ohio. Ohio offense has been there all year. Off nite vs Miami so perhaps we got that out of our system. Second half was more like our typical performance.

Bobcats 48 Huskies 42 First Ohio MAC football championship since 1968. We are long overdue and we got a team talented and experienced enough to get the job done. Pre-season I though this team could be special. We haven't had Ten wins since 1968......until Friday.

71 BOBCAT
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 8:38:08 AM

I'm waiting for some insightful thoughts from L.C.

GO BOBCATS

bobcat695
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 12:40:37 PM

I am worried about our ability to control the line of scrimmage. Our last two home games are evidence of this problem. Temple's QB had never played and he ran for 186 using the same kind of offense that NIU has. Dysart ran all over the place and eluded our line for the majority of the game, too. Harnish is a lot better than either of those two.

We had a lot of success blitzing, but hardly ever did. I still am not sure why we didn't bring the house against those two teams more often. I hope we mix it up a lot more on defense or else NIU will have their way with us. I think our offense will be fine and can stay in a shootout. I just believe we need a decent lead at the end of 3 quarters in order to hold off their offense.

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Bobcat36
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 2:49:42 PM

Their fans seem to be under the impression that if you contain LaVon, you've overcome our passing threat. They are also under the assumption that we have "no running back to speak of".

PLEASE let their coaching staff be under the same impressions...

Last Edited: 11/28/2011 3:30:57 PM by Bobcat36

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Bobcat36
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 3:31:13 PM

I'm hoping for two zeros out of the Cats in this one...

0 Turnovers
+
0 Special Teams Flags
__________________

MAC Champs

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Paul Graham
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 6:37:04 PM

More speed rushing of Harnish with AJ Grady and Mose Denton. That worked nicely at the end of the Miami game.

Last Edited: 11/28/2011 6:37:22 PM by Paul Graham

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 8:34:14 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

More speed rushing of Harnish with AJ Grady and Mose Denton. That worked nicely at the end of the Miami game.

Folks, Chandler Harnish does not stand still long enough for you to sack him. Dysert loves to stand back there like a stubborn mule unless it's a designed run.

JSF
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 11:11:37 PM

Harnish is by far the toughest player to defend we'll face this year, no?

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Paul Graham
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/28/2011 11:51:43 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Paul Graham wrote:

More speed rushing of Harnish with AJ Grady and Mose Denton. That worked nicely at the end of the Miami game.

Folks, Chandler Harnish does not stand still long enough for you to sack him. Dysert loves to stand back there like a stubborn mule unless it's a designed run.

Admittedly, I haven't watched much NIU this year. :)

Then I don't know what the heck we can do to stop this offense. We certainly can't allow him to sit back there and pick us apart!

Steve
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 12:17:22 AM

JSF wrote:

Harnish is by far the toughest player to defend we'll face this year, no?

That's the problem. We could have great coverage and get some heat on him, but he could still make a big play.

Bcat2
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 6:23:59 AM

Steve wrote:

JSF wrote:

Harnish is by far the toughest player to defend we'll face this year, no?

That's the problem. We could have great coverage and get some heat on him, but he could still make a big play.

The Ohio formula is the old basic, "run the ball, stop the run, win the game."We won't totally shut down Harnish and he will get his, great players do. The key is to get production from our playmakers too and field position will be key to make them really earn what they get. Both teams have very good OLs, which one shows up biggest will produce the winner. JMHO

Last Edited: 11/29/2011 6:27:18 AM by Bcat2

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L.C.
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 1:40:38 PM

71 BOBCAT wrote:

I'm waiting for some insightful thoughts from L.C.

There isn't much I can add - you guys have covered things nicely. Ohio isn't going to stop NIU from scoring. They need to try to hold NIU under 30, and try to score more than that. In shootouts where both teams were over 35, NIU was 2-2.

Now, to me, here's the question - should Ohio slow things down? Or should they hurry them up? Ohio has 3 more days of rest, but it's coming after 2 short weeks.

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Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 2:07:46 PM

I think Ohio can make the decision to drive the ball in five yard chunks. See: that final drive at BG. That may not be a bad option against the Huskies. Lots of jet sweeps, short passes, Blankenship between the tackles. Frank Solich is as good as any college coach I've seen at protecting leads.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 2:26:11 PM

L.C. wrote:

71 BOBCAT wrote:

I'm waiting for some insightful thoughts from L.C.

Right there is the million dollar question... it's obvious we've been more committed to the run in recent weeks. I feel like this is just a decision we might have to be prepared to make after one quarter of football. If we are fortunate enough to jump out to an early lead, then we might go to the ground and just beat up their D. If NIU takes the opening kick and scores first, then scores again before we've seemingly had the ball... well, we find ourselves in a hole and we can't worry about "shortening the game"; we'll just need to score however we can and hope the D can start slowing down their attack. I believe NIU has the better offense, but I believe we have the better D. I won't feel comfortable trailing in this game at any point. I really hope we can score first and score often. This is going to be a show.

DelBobcat
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 2:49:58 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

L.C. wrote:

71 BOBCAT wrote:

I'm waiting for some insightful thoughts from L.C.

I agree. If we get up by a couple scores we have to try to slow the game down and keep their offense off the field. I'd rather it not be a shootout.

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Scott Woods
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RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 11/29/2011 3:25:56 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I won't feel comfortable trailing in this game at any point.

Agreed. I'm not going to feel real comfortable, even if we have a 2-3 TD lead, until the final whistle.

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