Game Day--Northern Illinois

It's been quite an introduction to FBS football for UMass. If you've been following the articles and comments here, you know that the MAC has been having a remarkable season, maybe it's best ever. Counting today's foe, the cumulative results of the five MAC teams UMass will have played is 31-14. Ball State, Bowling Green, Ohio and Northern Illinois are all bowl eligible. This is actually a good thing. It means more revenue and TV exposure for the league in the future and for UMass will benefit for it. Still, it's kinda amazin' that the year UMass joins, the MAC is the strongest it's ever been.

Michigan needs one win to be bowl eligible. Indiana is 3-6, but have you looked at their losses? The Hoosiers lost to Ball State, Michigan State, Ohio State and Navy---by a combined total of 11 points! UConn is not a good FBS team, but they still have Don Brown's defense.

Today we should be outgunned again. Later in this blog post one writer says Northern Illinois is better than Michigan. Still, as the Minutemen have all season, we'll will show up. I'll be watching the video stream. Hope all UMass fans will keep the faith. Better times are coming.

Go UMass!!!
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Northern Illinois will have live streaming of the game.

The Huskies game notes.

UMass'  game notes.

Matty V. says Northern Illinois will be a tough test for UMass.

Boston.com says UMass seeks some sort of spark against Northern Illinois.

The Dekalb Daily Chronicle says the Huskies are massive favorites against UMass.

The Chicago Tribune previews the UMass-NIU game.

MassLive's Harry Plumer states UMass hopes to contain NIU's Jordan Lynch.

He has another story about the Minutemen being 34.5 underdogs and some MAC links.

Hustle Belt's Matt Sussman says NIU is better than Michigan and hopes the game won't be 70-0 Huskies.

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The MAC Report Online previews this week's conference games.

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Meanwhile in the recruiting wars:

A Palm Beach man was hospitalized after he was injured trying to jump over a moving car---to impress college recruiters.

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