25 questions for the dog
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| Who's a good boy? |
NIU has been one of the most dominant teams in the MAC, threading the needle with coaching changes and keeping a consistent track record. Their secret has been hiring internally. Their streak of West titles was snapped last year but they have a P5 win @Nebraska this year. Their consistent track record of success would be the envy of any team in the MAC.
How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?
Who are their statistical leaders?
Sutton Smith is for real. In addition to being mid-season All-American, he is #19 in forced fumbles, #1 in sacks and tackles for loss.
Jawuan Johnson is #3 in INT.
What is their turnover ratio?
They are -2. They have lost 14 (same as BG) and gained 12.
What is their scoring and yards per play?
They are pretty good. They are #5 in the MAC in scoring and but 10th in yards per play. Which is weird because they are also not great on 3rd down or in the red zone, both of which usually boost scoring. They have 2 non-offensive touchdowns.
Can they run the ball?
They are traditionally run heavy. They are this year, but they aren't great...they are #6 with 3.8 yards per rush, which is nothing to write home about. Their lead rusher averages 5.3 yards per carry.
Do they pass the ball?
They are in the middle of the pack in pass efficiency, though Childers is off to a good start, as noted above. They usually have one big play WR, but if they do he has yet to reveal himself.
How was their run/pass balance?
No surprise here, they have run on 58% of their plays.
Do they convert on 3rd Down?
They are 8th in the MAC at 38%.
Do they score in the red zone?
They are not good....4.2 points per trip.
Do they protect the quarterback?
They are OK...sacks on 6% of their passing plays.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They are the best defensive team in the MAC both in scoring and yards per play. They allow only 3.9 yards per play.
Do they defend the run effectively?
They are #1 in the MAC at 2.4 yards per play. That's #3 in the nation. Worrisome for BG.
Can they be passed on?
Not easily. They are #1 in the MAC in passing defense. 53% completions with 11 yards per completion and then 5 TDs and 10 INT, the last number of which is tied for MAC lead.
Do they get off the field on 3rd down?
They are #1, allowing only 24%. That's #4 in the nation.
Do they defend in the red zone?
Not surprisingly, they allow only 3.5 points per trip, which is really good.
Did they pressure the QB?
Yes. Yes they go. Sacks on 9% of their opponent's passing attempts.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They are pretty good. #4 in the MAC in net punting. No blocks and no TDs allowed.
Punt Return?
They are 7th in net punting.
Placekicking?
Christian Hagan is struggling at 4 of 10. He's 3 of 7 inside 40 and 1 of 3 beyond, and has been blocked twice.
Kickoff?
7th in the MAC. Teams start on the 25.
Kickoff Return?
Decent, they start on their 24.
Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.
As rough as the matchup last week looked, it looks worse this week. NIU is good at all the things BG is bad at. They have a really good defense which will cause BG huge problems up and down the line and while their offense isn't great, they have a mobile QB and a good RB who, if history is a guide, will look better against the BG defense. NIU is a 14 point favorite on the road. Can't be a good feeling for BG. Nothing we have seen from BG suggests the Falcons can make this very competitive but maybe we will see something we haven't seen yet.
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| Actual statue being made at NIU Not made up |
They are pretty good. They are #5 in the MAC in scoring and but 10th in yards per play. Which is weird because they are also not great on 3rd down or in the red zone, both of which usually boost scoring. They have 2 non-offensive touchdowns.
Can they run the ball?
They are traditionally run heavy. They are this year, but they aren't great...they are #6 with 3.8 yards per rush, which is nothing to write home about. Their lead rusher averages 5.3 yards per carry.
Do they pass the ball?
They are in the middle of the pack in pass efficiency, though Childers is off to a good start, as noted above. They usually have one big play WR, but if they do he has yet to reveal himself.
How was their run/pass balance?
No surprise here, they have run on 58% of their plays.
Do they convert on 3rd Down?
They are 8th in the MAC at 38%.
Do they score in the red zone?
They are OK...sacks on 6% of their passing plays.
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| Which one is the real dog? |
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
Do they defend the run effectively?
They are #1 in the MAC at 2.4 yards per play. That's #3 in the nation. Worrisome for BG.
Can they be passed on?
Not easily. They are #1 in the MAC in passing defense. 53% completions with 11 yards per completion and then 5 TDs and 10 INT, the last number of which is tied for MAC lead.
Do they defend in the red zone?
Not surprisingly, they allow only 3.5 points per trip, which is really good.
Yes. Yes they go. Sacks on 9% of their opponent's passing attempts.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They are pretty good. #4 in the MAC in net punting. No blocks and no TDs allowed.
They are 7th in net punting.
Placekicking?
Christian Hagan is struggling at 4 of 10. He's 3 of 7 inside 40 and 1 of 3 beyond, and has been blocked twice.
Kickoff?
7th in the MAC. Teams start on the 25.
Kickoff Return?
Decent, they start on their 24.
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| Sorry Diesel. BG 47, NIU 27 |
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