Quote:
Originally Posted by austintx05
buddy, why do you like n ill?
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Thanks....I am actually going to be doing something of an exhaustive write up shortly for the games I am playing in week 1 for NCAAF.
A short answer though. Pretty much Iowa is overvalued here because they are a Big Ten team. Unfortunately though, Iowa lost quite a bit on offense including 3 year starter Drew Tate. Really their only offensive weapons that Iowa has this year are Albert Young who will know doubt be a larger part of the offense this year and Dominque Douglas who is suspended. Their defense is solid and is really the cornerstone of the team. There is not has much turnover on that side of the ball as with the offense.
NIU is a more experienced team than Iowa is though. They return a majority of both their offense and defense back. It is true they are breaking in a new QB as well and have to replace all purpose RB Garrett Wolfe. However, they have some depth at that position. They have a solid defense as well including maybe the best linebacking core in the MAC.
To me, having this game played at a neutral site, with two inexperienced QBs, Iowa's top WR suspended, and a solid coach like Joe Novak who has upset some of the big boys in the past (i.e. Maryland, Alabama, etc...) presents I believe some value.
In addition, an intangible, the teams from the MAC really get up to play the Big Ten teams as opposed to Big Ten teams who generally overlook the less acclaimed and talented MAC teams. The Big Ten does not take the MAC and their teams very seriously and almost never go to their stadiums to play them. However, getting this game at a neutral site is as close as NIU is going to get Iowa to come play at their stadium. No doubt they will be pumped and will be well represented in the stands. Throw in the fact that Iowa has been in a downward spiral the past few years and NIU should be a top tier MAC team, I'll take my chances with NIU getting +11.5 on a neutral site. They played them well last year losing by only 10 and I feel this year it may be even closer.
Good luck....