feel free to talk some college football here if you wish and post your thoughts on Illinois NW NIU along with SIU, ISU, WIU, EIU and anyone else you'd like from an in-state perspective. You guys start it off and I'll add mine soon
Prediction thread: In-State BCS and FCS 2016 records
- Thread starter Anon1754760634
- Start date
ISU, NU and NIU the only bright spots in my mind, though I must admit I'm not as up to speed on where the other directionals stand.
Looking forward to ISU vs NU in week two.
Looking forward to ISU vs NU in week two.
Illinois St really has their program rolling now, and chance they move up to FBS in next 10 years?
If the have nots of the existing Big XII form a conference following an exit of UT and OU, it could be the opening for ISU, either as a direct member or replacement in the MAC for NIU (who would then be in the AAC or Have-Not B12).
I can't see NIU making any jump.. While football is decent, the rest of their resume is a mess.. FCS type budget, terrible fan base, awful basketball, below average academics, declining enrollment..
Not sure what the minimum requirements are for each of the Power 5 conferences but isn't stadium capacity one of the things they look for/require?
WAY back in the day - The Pac 10 (yes I know it is now the Pac-12) was all over Oregon State to ensure their stadium seated the minimum # of fans (I think it was a minimum of 40,000 that the stadium had to hold).
What is ISU's new stadium capacity?
WAY back in the day - The Pac 10 (yes I know it is now the Pac-12) was all over Oregon State to ensure their stadium seated the minimum # of fans (I think it was a minimum of 40,000 that the stadium had to hold).
What is ISU's new stadium capacity?
I think the Redbirds will win a natty title in the next few years. Some questions marks at running back and linebacker could prevent it from happening this year.
It's a damn good time to be a fan of this program.
It's a damn good time to be a fan of this program.
He's among a group of three freshmen Spack really likes. Three upperclassmen in the mix as well, so it will be interesting to see who he redshirts. ISU got a monster running back transfer, Markel Smith, who will be eligible next year, assuming he can get the grades.
I will go with NU at 8 wins.
Defense should again be strong led by linebacker Anthony Walker who has a chance to be one of the best in the country. Defensive backfield suffered a big loss this week losing starting corner Keith Watkins to a season ending ending knee injury. This should have been one of their strengths with the other corner manned by four year starter and likely All Big 10 player Matthew Harris from LaGrange. Safeties Igwebyike and Quiero have considerable experience.
D-line will miss end Rockford's Dean Lowry, Packers fourth round pick.
Bolingbrook area's (Plainfield East) Tyler Lancaster, Kuhar and Odinegbo are expected to pick up the slack.
Offensively the line has more
experience than in recent years if they can stay healthy, they should be greatly improved. With Glenbard North running back, junior, Justin Jackson carrying the ball and several strong backups such as Warren Long the running backs will be one of the team strengths. Jackson has gone for over 1,100 and 1,400 yards in his first two seasons he carried the ball over 300 times last year and cutting down his carries will likely be a goal.
Now to the key to what might decide if they win 4 games or 8, quarterback Clayton Thorsen from Wheaton North.
Last year starting as a redshirt freshman Thorson was wildly erratic.
At 6-5 with excellent speed and a strong arm he has all of the physical skills, but needs to show significant improvement this year if NU is to challenge for the B1G West title. Maine South's Matt Alvitti is the back up for now as more of an option running alternative if they do play two QB's.
The remaining question is who is going to catch the ball and there seems to be no easy answer there.
Austin Carr is thought to be the number one receiver, but it remains to be seen. Flynn Nagel was getting some playing time last year as a freshman before going down with a season ending leg leg injury, he will be back in the mix this year. Super back Dan Vitale from WWS is gone to the Tampa Buccaneers, younger brother Tommy may get time in the same position. Libertyville's freshman Riley Lees is another hoping to get some time.
Thorson is the key to the season, but maybe equally important is the necessity for a couple of the receivers to step up and become playmakers on their own.
If neither of those things happen it's going to be back to strong defense playing for field position and a whole lot of Justin Jackson hoping to squeeze out a bunch of 17-14 wins.
An improved punting game this year will also become more important if the offense again struggles to put points on the board.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald will be expected to again provide steady leadership which he excels at and may be worth a win or two if they can keep games close.
Defense should again be strong led by linebacker Anthony Walker who has a chance to be one of the best in the country. Defensive backfield suffered a big loss this week losing starting corner Keith Watkins to a season ending ending knee injury. This should have been one of their strengths with the other corner manned by four year starter and likely All Big 10 player Matthew Harris from LaGrange. Safeties Igwebyike and Quiero have considerable experience.
D-line will miss end Rockford's Dean Lowry, Packers fourth round pick.
Bolingbrook area's (Plainfield East) Tyler Lancaster, Kuhar and Odinegbo are expected to pick up the slack.
Offensively the line has more
experience than in recent years if they can stay healthy, they should be greatly improved. With Glenbard North running back, junior, Justin Jackson carrying the ball and several strong backups such as Warren Long the running backs will be one of the team strengths. Jackson has gone for over 1,100 and 1,400 yards in his first two seasons he carried the ball over 300 times last year and cutting down his carries will likely be a goal.
Now to the key to what might decide if they win 4 games or 8, quarterback Clayton Thorsen from Wheaton North.
Last year starting as a redshirt freshman Thorson was wildly erratic.
At 6-5 with excellent speed and a strong arm he has all of the physical skills, but needs to show significant improvement this year if NU is to challenge for the B1G West title. Maine South's Matt Alvitti is the back up for now as more of an option running alternative if they do play two QB's.
The remaining question is who is going to catch the ball and there seems to be no easy answer there.
Austin Carr is thought to be the number one receiver, but it remains to be seen. Flynn Nagel was getting some playing time last year as a freshman before going down with a season ending leg leg injury, he will be back in the mix this year. Super back Dan Vitale from WWS is gone to the Tampa Buccaneers, younger brother Tommy may get time in the same position. Libertyville's freshman Riley Lees is another hoping to get some time.
Thorson is the key to the season, but maybe equally important is the necessity for a couple of the receivers to step up and become playmakers on their own.
If neither of those things happen it's going to be back to strong defense playing for field position and a whole lot of Justin Jackson hoping to squeeze out a bunch of 17-14 wins.
An improved punting game this year will also become more important if the offense again struggles to put points on the board.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald will be expected to again provide steady leadership which he excels at and may be worth a win or two if they can keep games close.
Last edited:
I was like, "I don't remember any Tyler Lancaster."
kiddo is apparently from Romeoville, went to Plainfield East. Skirted around the edges but not from Bolingbrook lol
SIU will be interesting to keep an eye on. New coach Nick Hill, while virtually no experience, brings the enthusiasm that reminds me of PJ Fleck of WMU without the "row the boat" crap. He has done some good things recruiting but that won't necessarily pay of this year.
It feels like fleck is pulling most of the kids that would be going to Dekalb. All the coaching turnover seems to finally be catching up with the huskies.