Thanks Griff for your feedback.
It was my mistake to have the Hogs mentioned twice... did not mean anything, sorry.
Here is my problem with the Hogs vs NIU:
1) NIU is fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball with a good coach Rod Carey. I realize the difference in talent level between the 2 teams but the Hogs has to beat them not just RUN or PUSH them over. In Beliema era here at the Hill, he won 5 games and none of which required any coaching or adjustment. So far he only won games when the Hogs simply ran over the opponents.
2) Many people IMO mis-read the Hogs.
- First game vs Auburn the Hogs played with their hearts, and Auburn without its starting QB in first half, and the score tied at 21-21.
- In 2H Auburn held the Hogs to ZERO net rushing yard on 18 carries and 61 passing yards in 17 attempts for a horrible 3.6 yards per attempt, or a combined 1.7 yards per play, while the Tigers outscored the Hogs 24-0. Does it tell us something about the coaches' ability for half-time adjustment?
3) Vs Nicholls St. the Hogs beat them 73-7 (same team was beaten by UL LaFayette 70-7 last year) so it's nothing to brag about. What bothered me is the Hogs passing attack is in its infancy stage but Beliema allowed B. Allen, the starting QB, attempted only FIVE passes, and keeps most of its starters deep into 2H.
4) Against Texas Tech.... it was Terrible Tech problems rather than the Hogs outstanding plays. Terrible Tech almost lost its first game vs a bad FCS team of Central Arkansas (Win 42-35) then followed with another near-loss win (30-26) over UTEP, a 2-10 Conf. USA member. The Bad Raiders needed heroic effort on offensive and defensive last drive to claim that victory. Kliff Kingsbury preferred speed over size & strength (for B12) so much that he moved its leading rusher the last 2 years, Sr. Kenny Williams, to full time Linebacker. When he realized the problem he magnified the problem by inserting his 2nd and 3rd team defensive players into the game.
Again the Hogs only attempted 12 passes with 50% completion for 61 yards. With those very few reps. in real game, it makes me wonder how the Hogs can count on the passing attack when Hogs needs it.
It is unlikely the Hogs can beat and cover the 14.5 points vs NIU by just running the ball, and I am not too confident with our passing attack yet. However, I have to give credit to R. Smith, the new DC and former Rutgers great DC. The defense is playing with more discipline and tighter coverage. IF the Hogs pass defense can shut down Huskies passing attack (less than 150 yards + a couple of INT.) then the Hogs may cover that spread, and it is a big IF.
I will have Auburn vs Kan St match up later on.
BOL to you this week Griff and thanks for the work you put in pregame.