Playoffs!!!

[Grant H]

Had to start a new thread because the playoffs are no longer a question mark. Although I think we had a strong case to beat out James Madison for the #5 seed I'm happy with the draw in large part because it ensures that we will an face an FCS opponent that is not a current member of the Big Sky for the first time since September 1st, 2007!! when we played McNeese State. That makes it a lot more fun and would like to see that in non-conference every year (although I understand that finances make that difficult). If we're able to win we would likely face North Dakota State in the Fargo Dome with a chance to end their dynasty.

 

[GreenGiant]

I'd be interested if anyone has any insight on our potential opponents.

 

[CaseyOrourke]

I'd be interested if anyone has any insight on our potential opponents.

I looked up the fan forums for our possible opponents:

Northern Iowa: http://www.panthernation.com/

So far I haven't found anything for Eastern Illinois, but I'l keep looking

 

[martymoose]

I suspect we'll be playing Northern Iowa on the 5th.

 

[bigskyconf]

I'd be interested if anyone has any insight on our potential opponents.

Eastern Illinois, located in Charleston, IL, about 30 miles south of Urbana. Nearby to the southeast is Robinson, IL, home to the Blazers Meyers Leonard. Notable football alumni include Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo. Under Garoppolo, they advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013, the last time they were in the playoffs. They play in the Ohio Valley conference. The feeling around FCS is that they don't belong in the playoffs and that they took North Dakota's spot, so they may come in with a chip on their shoulder. They share no common opponents with us.

Northern Iowa, located in Cedar Falls, IA, just outside of Waterloo. Notable football alum is Kurt Warner. They've always had good football teams, but lately their men's basketball team has been making the most noise, including this year where they just knocked off #1 North Carolina. They have a strong fan base that does travel well. They play in the Missouri Valley conference. They have played two Big Sky teams this year, Eastern Washington at home (won 38-35) and at Cal Poly (won 34-20). They are the favorites in their game with EIU.

 

[scooter1]

A glimpse of NIU

http://thesouthern.com/sports/colle...cle_491f350c-aa2e-5213-90da-4e99533c0880.html

 

[CaseyOrourke]

A glimpse of NIU

http://thesouthern.com/sports/colle...cle_491f350c-aa2e-5213-90da-4e99533c0880.html

Sounds like they are a run first team, pass when they have to.

What caught Lennon's eye when he first looked through Northern Iowa's numbers was their three lost fumbles. The 15th-ranked Panthers have a plus-9 turnover margin this season and has held their last four opponents under 60 yards rushing.

Tyvis Smith, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound junior, is another option for Northern Iowa out of the backfield. Smith rushed for a career-high 143 yards and a 56-yard rushing touchdown against the Bears. He has 501 yards on 98 carries in 10 games (5.1 yards a carry) with three touchdowns this year.

Bailey, a 6-2, 226-pound junior, averages 5.2 yards a carry and will tie the Panthers' school record if he's able to rush for a touchdown against SIU (3-7, 2-5 MVFC). Bailey has struggled through the air, however, which is why the Salukis may play closer to the line of scrimmage until he beats them deep.

Bailey has passed for only seven touchdowns all season, with six interceptions. He is completing just over 50 percent of his passes (52.2). Northern Iowa will try to run the ball and stop the run, two things it's done very well during its current four-game winning streak.

 

[CaseyOrourke]

On a whim and curiosity I looked up and copied the naational stat rankings for PSU, UNI and EIU just to compare them

Statistic
National Rank National Rank National Rank
Portland State Northern Iowa Eastern Illinois
3rd Down Conversion Pct (123 ranked) 15 73 101
3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense (123 ranked) 12 17 22
4th Down Conversion Pct (123 ranked) 27 69 85
4th Down Conversion Pct Defense (123 ranked) 92 103 45
Blocked Kicks (85 ranked) 58 85 4
Blocked Kicks Allowed (123 ranked) 42 15 99
Blocked Punts (27 ranked) 27 27 1
Blocked Punts Allowed (123 ranked) 1 1 122
Completion Percentage (123 ranked) 71 89 106
Fewest Penalties (123 ranked) 27 62 106
Fewest Penalties Per Game (123 ranked) 25 56 102
Fewest Penalty Yards (123 ranked) 24 73 98
Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game (123 ranked) 22 70 96
First Downs Defense (123 ranked) 58 23 41
First Downs Offense (123 ranked) 36 54 82
Fumbles Lost (123 ranked) 36 3 36
Fumbles Recovered (123 ranked) 32 21 32
Kickoff Return Defense (123 ranked) 63 59 11
Kickoff Returns (123 ranked) 48 95 82
Net Punting (123 ranked) 27 36 118
Passes Had Intercepted (123 ranked) 13 55 92
Passes Intercepted (122 ranked) 5 28 2
Passing Offense (123 ranked) 88 94 101
Passing Yards Allowed (123 ranked) 51 66 32
Passing Yards per Completion (123 ranked) 4 37 76
Punt Return Defense (123 ranked) 32 110 88
Punt Returns (123 ranked) 106 19 26
Red Zone Defense (123 ranked) 61 12 8
Red Zone Offense (123 ranked) 11 18 77
Rushing Defense (123 ranked) 70 19 61
Rushing Offense (123 ranked) 10 16 40
Sacks Allowed (123 ranked) 44 103 5
Scoring Defense (123 ranked) 39 20 49
Scoring Offense (123 ranked) 12 43 74
Tackles for Loss Allowed (123 ranked) 73 77 73
Team Passing Efficiency (123 ranked) 10 80 104
Team Passing Efficiency Defense (123 ranked) 11 93 4
Team Sacks (122 ranked) 33 12 53
Team Tackles for Loss (123 ranked) 59 11 10
Time of Possession (123 ranked) 26 62 85
Total Defense (123 ranked) 59 31 39
Total Offense (123 ranked) 26 60 84
Turnover Margin (123 ranked) 2 11 13
Turnovers Gained (123 ranked) 7 19 3
Turnovers Lost (122 ranked) 11 17 75
Winning Percentage (123 ranked) 6 30 30

 

[Grant H]

Northern Iowa is a 17.5 point favorite over Eastern Illinois per 5dimes.eu

 

[pdxfan]

At first glance, looks like we have an edge over NIU. But only an edge, and it's play off time. Kuresa will probably have to go to the air. Can we stop their ground game?