*Northern Illinois 2003*

[Kodiak7]

I love the MAC, I have made alot of cash with this conference the last 4 season's. I will give as much insight as I can on the best team, in my opinion, this season the mac has NIU. I will also give insight on my 3 instate school CMU / WMU / EMU...


The best in the west is Northern Illinois, hands down. They have the best runningback nobody heard of in MICHEAL TURNER.. Write that name down MICHEAL TURNER.

MICHEAL TURNER rushed for 1,915 yards in 2002 and had 4 / 200 yard games..

... it was no fluke.. At wideout they have Dan Sheldon 1,542 all purpose yards 9 touches. With the return of PJ Fleck at the other wideout, in 2001 he lead the team in reception, NIU is a team that will make noise throughout the season.. There QB isn't flashy but he is consistent. His name is John Haidi and as a freshman he trew for 2.027 yards 15 touches..

On defense they work out of a 4-3 that is the best unit in the MAC.. They have the best and most skilled lbs and db in the MAC. NICK DUFFY is the inside monster at middle lb. he has made 171 SOLO tackles the last 2 seasons. And Atkinson is a solid olb next to him. The secondary is lead by Randaa Drew whom lead the MAC with 7 ints last season.. NIU had 10, yes 10 sacks against Wisky last season. 21 int last season were the 2nd highest in school history. Down side is all the pressure leads to BIG PLAYS and when you have Maryland, Alabama, Iowa St. on your schedule before the MAC regular season starts it could get ugly...

This team will pull a upset in one of those games.. Watch out terps to open the season...

 

[Kodiak7]

QUESTION WILL MICHEAL TURNER BE AT THE HEISMAN AWARD SHOW?

I think so:

any thoughts from the crowd.....

 

[silver7]

Hi Kodiak, well that time we all love is here again. I had this gm picked a mo. ago like NIU a lot. Don`t know about Turner and the Heisman but like the team. Have you seen a line yet? The Terps lost a lot but will still be tough, especially on D. Best of luck during the coming yr, see you on 10/11!

 

[Kodiak7]

fellow 7'er I haven't checked the number yet. I like NIU getting points against these powers early. These guys CAN PLAY with anyone!

 

[FairWarning]

Ask Wisconsin and Wake Forest. The officials totally screwed NIU that game.

 

[olddog]

I read that QB-Haldi had surgery on his throwing hand thumb. Any word on how that is progressing?

 

[slvrgbln]

nice rb for ni. watch out for this fella. nice threads bear.

silver goblin

 

[Kodiak7]

thank goblin!

 

[mossreport]

Great posting Kodiak. I know your ideas on the Midwest teams are generally good and I agree that NIU is strong on offense. The defense was questionable at times last year against some MAC teams, but overall they were a strong unit.

 

[Kodiak7]

NIU... I like'em.. GOOD LUCK GUYS!

 

[Drunkn247]

Kodiak does NIU have a chance in winning the MAC in your opinion. I think they are +475 which is pretty damn good if you think they have a solid shot to even get to the MAC championship game. Can hedge from there depending the situation. Another thing is that Bruce Perry and Steve Suter will be missing the opening game for Maryland. How much of a drop off do you think happens in the line? Last night NIU was +13.

 

[Kodiak7]

YES, NIU can WIN the MAC..

and I'm all over NIU when that line hits 14.. I will take them at +13.. But I feel the public will bring that number up some..

Where did you find NIU +475 to win the MAC? I want a piece...

 

[FairWarning]

Kodiak - Olympic has NIU at +500 to win the MAC.

 

[bloatedliver]

As an NIU alum, I follow this program very closely, I agree that they should be strong favs to win the MAC. As for Turner and the Heisman, 10 years ago the Huskies LeShon Johnson rushed for nearly 2,000 yards (including 300 vs. Iowa)and was never seriously considered for the award. Just not enough pub in DeKalb. Do keep an eye on this team however as they have been consistent moneymakers recently.

 

[olddog]

The line is now +7 to +7.5!!!

 

[Kodiak7]

olddog, where?

 

[SpreadDestroyerr]

+8 @ Pinnacle

 

[Kodiak7]

as I stated so long ago..

This team will pull a upset in one of those games.. Watch out terps to open the season...

NIU!!

 

[LSUpete]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[Kodiak7]

LSUPETE like so many years before this is just the start to another GREAT season...