indianahusker
Special Teams Player
Wow...good research, excellent points.
After Game Thoughts
- Thread starter KansasHusker
- Start date
So, is this a running argument for the validity of I-AA football or a comparison of Maine to NU?
Sure, granted, there are lots of good athletes in I-AA that perhaps don't make the NFL that should just by virtue of being in lower profile programs. And there are plenty of NFL standouts that have come from I-AA.
And absolutely, I believe that smaller programs can compete with larger programs, regardless of Division, and win (vis the "Giant Killer" role ND used to have back in the leather helmet days or the recent success of teams like UConn and UAB).
However, you can't deny the .800+ winning pct of IA over IAA.
And it's hard to argue with 25-7 as well.
IRISH!
GBR!
Sure, granted, there are lots of good athletes in I-AA that perhaps don't make the NFL that should just by virtue of being in lower profile programs. And there are plenty of NFL standouts that have come from I-AA.
And absolutely, I believe that smaller programs can compete with larger programs, regardless of Division, and win (vis the "Giant Killer" role ND used to have back in the leather helmet days or the recent success of teams like UConn and UAB).
However, you can't deny the .800+ winning pct of IA over IAA.
And it's hard to argue with 25-7 as well.
IRISH!
GBR!
I-AA has alums that are perhaps the best ever in the NFL. While I-AA alums only make up 10% of the NFL for various reasons, real college football watchers know what I mean, my point is that Maine vs. Nebraska is not a cupcake game for the Cornhuskers. It was proven last Saturday. Just give some respect, even if it kills you (I know as a fan that it does). Visit a website I publish if you want to find out... http://www.I-AA.org and you'll find out how your cost-containment brethren in D-I operate and succeed without the BCS $$$ and decide their champion on the field with a playoff like the rest of NCAA football. I come here with the utmost respect for Nebraska football and their respectful fans, just not those who smack other subclassification teams. Undoubtably you'll be seeing more I-AA in the future so cool it on the smack and enjoy the games. Its not the end of your season if I-AA beats or plays you close. Its D-I football. Sure, I-A has more $$$ and 22 more scholarships and should always win but some seasons I-AA wins 30+% of the time. No biggie. It doesn't make I-AA feel bigger. It shouldn't make I-A feel smaller. I-AA plays I-AA in front of 70+K every year so I-A stadiums aren't scary. I-AA is not afraid of the dark or any other analogy that might be given. We may all be D-I with BCS and PCS very soon anyway. Playoffs or not may soon be the choice. I-A should have a playoff anyway, it would dwarf the basketball tourney if they would ever get it together. They probably won't though. ramble... ramble... ramble... ramble... Sorry. good night huskers and have a great season!
Come by http://www.anygivensaturday.com for a I-AA national messageboard.
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Blackshirtsguru
All-American
No thanks I think I am washing my hair that day!
NamelessHusker
Banned
Maine did not cause Cory Ross to fumble the ball twice. He did that on his own cause he could not protect the ball. Had Maine punched it out of his hands, that would be a different story. Ross did the same thing last year against DIV-AA Western Illinois. He fumbled twice in critical area. I will give Maine credit for the 2 interceptions. Maine forced our QB to throw those 2 picks when he clearly should not have.
Maine had a good game, but to say Maine deserves credit just because we had a bad offensive production is pretty lame. Maine did not even capatilize on those turnovers. Not even 1 of them. That just goes to show you how far behind DIV-AA is from Div-A teams. Every once in a while a DIV-AA team manages to give a DIV-A team a run for it's money, but if you break down those games, it usually the DIV-A team making mistakes during it's first game of the season. Usually Div-AA teams get the snot beat out of them. Did Maine play a good game? Yes. Did they play a great game? No
In the last 10 years, Nebraska has played 128 games. 8 of those have been against DIV-AA (although 3 of those 8 was against Troy which is now DIV-A). They were outscored 302-95 (avg 38-12). We definetly kept Maine in that range, but we were about 2 touchdowns shy of our average. If you count our RB not fumbling at Maines goaline and our offense punching it in on the other play from the 2 yard line, there's your 38 point average. We just simply shot ourselves in the foot. If NU had punched in those 2 touchdowns, we wouldn't be having this discussion
Maine had a good game, but to say Maine deserves credit just because we had a bad offensive production is pretty lame. Maine did not even capatilize on those turnovers. Not even 1 of them. That just goes to show you how far behind DIV-AA is from Div-A teams. Every once in a while a DIV-AA team manages to give a DIV-A team a run for it's money, but if you break down those games, it usually the DIV-A team making mistakes during it's first game of the season. Usually Div-AA teams get the snot beat out of them. Did Maine play a good game? Yes. Did they play a great game? No
In the last 10 years, Nebraska has played 128 games. 8 of those have been against DIV-AA (although 3 of those 8 was against Troy which is now DIV-A). They were outscored 302-95 (avg 38-12). We definetly kept Maine in that range, but we were about 2 touchdowns shy of our average. If you count our RB not fumbling at Maines goaline and our offense punching it in on the other play from the 2 yard line, there's your 38 point average. We just simply shot ourselves in the foot. If NU had punched in those 2 touchdowns, we wouldn't be having this discussion
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NamelessHusker
Banned
Here is more info to consider
NU 25 Maine 7 =NU 5 turnovers
LA Monroe 24 Northwestern St 27 = LA Monroe 5 turnovers
KSU 35 Fla Internation 21 = KSU 5 turnovers
Mich 33 Northern Illinois 17 = Mich 3 turnovers
Iowa St 31 Illinois St 21 = 4 turnovers
Oklahoma St 15 Montana St 10 = 2 turnover
Troy 27 Cal Poly 10 = Troy 3 turnovers
You get the general idea. You give any team 2 or 3 turnovers, of course they are going to be in the game. You give them 5, hell yeah they will be sticking around for much longer then you want them to. If Maine proved how much more we need to go, then NU proved how far behind Maine is and the rest of DIV-AA is
NU 25 Maine 7 =NU 5 turnovers
LA Monroe 24 Northwestern St 27 = LA Monroe 5 turnovers
KSU 35 Fla Internation 21 = KSU 5 turnovers
Mich 33 Northern Illinois 17 = Mich 3 turnovers
Iowa St 31 Illinois St 21 = 4 turnovers
Oklahoma St 15 Montana St 10 = 2 turnover
Troy 27 Cal Poly 10 = Troy 3 turnovers
You get the general idea. You give any team 2 or 3 turnovers, of course they are going to be in the game. You give them 5, hell yeah they will be sticking around for much longer then you want them to. If Maine proved how much more we need to go, then NU proved how far behind Maine is and the rest of DIV-AA is
Thanks for your esteemed opinion but it would carry a bit more weight if you hadn't listed two I-A teams as I-AA. Florida International and Northern Illinois are not I-AA. Plus I'm assuming you think Maine, Northwestern State, Illinois State, Montana State and Cal Poly had no turnovers of their own?
A recent study has shown that I-AA plays BCS I-A closer than non-BCS I-A does. Sorry you didn't get your blowout, maybe you should have played Idaho. :lol:
cubhusker23
Five-Star Recruit
I think you guys are missing a huge point, it's a great thing that this game was close regardless of divisional rankings. Our players needed experience and they wouldn't have gotten it if we were up by 30 points. Having a close game like that can really improve the team by getting real-time experience. I don't care if we were playing Northwest Poly Po-Dunk U, we can use this game as a barometer of what we need to do to improve.
Bring Out The Gimp
Three-Star Recruit
These are the Gimp's top 10 positive things from Sat...
10. No penalties! Awesome for a first game. Definitely give credit to the coaching staff for that!
9. 11 Sacks! Enough said!
8. The recruits in town loved Nebraska (Bradford especially!)
7. Punt return yardage (a little shaky with communication and hands but at least we have some solid talent out there).
6. Mike McNeill committed!
5. Congdon looked great! We will have a sweet kicker for the next 4 years!
4. -6 Rushing yards for Maine!
3. The North is 6-0...South 3-2!
2. Oklahoma lost! Pittsburgh lost! Wake Forest lost!
1. We are 1-0 and this game counts towards making a bowl!
The Gimp has spoken.
10. No penalties! Awesome for a first game. Definitely give credit to the coaching staff for that!
9. 11 Sacks! Enough said!
8. The recruits in town loved Nebraska (Bradford especially!)
7. Punt return yardage (a little shaky with communication and hands but at least we have some solid talent out there).
6. Mike McNeill committed!
5. Congdon looked great! We will have a sweet kicker for the next 4 years!
4. -6 Rushing yards for Maine!
3. The North is 6-0...South 3-2!
2. Oklahoma lost! Pittsburgh lost! Wake Forest lost!
1. We are 1-0 and this game counts towards making a bowl!
The Gimp has spoken.
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Ralph,
Maine deserves credit for playing hard, and giving NU all it could handle. NU certainly didnt play a very good game, at least offensively. Maine is not even a top level 1AA school, so NU should have won by a much larger margin.
Maine, congrats on a good showing. NU has work to do.
dedhoarse
NEXT!!!!!!!!!!
Maine deserves credit for playing hard, and giving NU all it could handle. NU certainly didnt play a very good game, at least offensively. Maine is not even a top level 1AA school, so NU should have won by a much larger margin.
Maine, congrats on a good showing. NU has work to do.
dedhoarse
NEXT!!!!!!!!!!
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BigRedJake
Starter
Darnit Former, that's for us to use against you! :bat
NamelessHusker
Banned
Florida International just moved up to Div-A this year. They do not even have a year under their belt. Once they finish out the minimum 2 year evaluation period and STAY in DIV-A, then they earn the title of a DIV-A school. Keep in mind, DIV-A schools have to keep an average of 34,000 plus fans to stay in DIV-A level. With schools like Miami, Florida, Florida St, Central Florida, South Florida who are already DIV-A schools, there is no gurantee that they might even survive that and could be back in DIV-AA by the end of next season. You also have Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, and Buthane Cookman (DIV-AA) competing for a fan base.
Thanks for pointing out the Northern Illinois thing. I mixed up Northern Illinois with Northern Iowa becaus Northern Iowa has played Iowa St 3 of the last 4 years i believe. Thinking one thing and typing another. Northern Illinois dropped out of DIV-A for a couple of years to DIV-AA i believe and dropped back in to DIV-A.