How Good is Northern Illinois?

Kirk is God

Junior
Oct 21, 2025
164
238
43
ESPN has them as the second worst FBS team this week. I guess I didn’t realize they were that bad. Coupled with how we looked against Iowa State does anyone think there is a reason to be worried? Michigan game will be a good measuring stick.
 
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squeezebox_1

All-Conference
Mar 6, 2018
962
1,425
93
ESPN has them as the second worst FBS team this week. I guess I didn’t realize they were that bad. Coupled with how we looked against Iowa State does anyone think there is a reason to be worried? Michigan game will be a good measuring stick.
coupled? Iowa could have hung 80 points on NIU if they wanted. That's not Kirk's style, I do think ISU will be better than expected given their special teams play and decent defense. The fact that the passing game stepped up to the plate when the running game wasn't effective says this team has some upside.
 

Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo

All-Conference
Oct 1, 2001
879
2,485
93
I like Southern Illinois much better than Northern Illinois. Much more scenic.
Thats Good Robert Deniro GIF
 

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
6,300
12,988
113
ESPN has them as the second worst FBS team this week. I guess I didn’t realize they were that bad. Coupled with how we looked against Iowa State does anyone think there is a reason to be worried? Michigan game will be a good measuring stick.
I could follow this up with "How good is ISU?". Did Iowa just struggle to put up 16 points against a good defense or an average defense? Does it matter? Does anyone believe that Western Michigan is as good or better than Oklahoma and Michigan? The results vs Michigan would have you believe that. In state rivalries and early season contests can skew perceptions.
 

Hawksfor3

All-American
Dec 5, 2016
7,760
8,934
113
I like Southern Illinois much better than Northern Illinois. Much more scenic.
Many, many moons ago, I hiked in Southern Illinois. Went to Shawnee National Forest and even went onto SIU's campus. I was a skinny 17 year old then. Beautiful down there. Biggest peaches I ever pulled from the tree too.
 

FanInBlack

All-Conference
Nov 9, 2001
2,271
4,840
113
I dont think Iowa is a top 25 team. I dont see any game breakers in any phase. Kaleb and Keden tilted a lot of close games with big plays. I think this is the year that we see other side of the coin. think 2010.
 
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Hawkfan_08*

All-American
Jul 2, 2025
3,553
9,544
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I dont think Iowa is a top 25 team. I dont see any game breakers in any phase. Kaleb and Keden tilted a lot of close games with big plays. I think this is the year that we see other side of the coin. think 2010.

I think Diaz is but it takes someone to get him the ball.
 
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