SIU heads to the UNI Dome for a top 25 matchup against Northern Iowa, the only FCS top 25 matchup of the week.
Northern Iowa is 4-3 this season and is coming off a win at #6 South Dakota State in Brookings.
Meet the Panthers:
The Panthers starting QB is 6'5 Redshirt Sophomore Theo Day. Day has thrown for 1,293 passing yards so far this season with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Like SIU, Northern Iowa has a few running backs that make an impact each week. 5'10 Junior Dom Williams leads the Panthers in rushing with 405 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
The Panthers best offensive weapon this season has been 6'4 Junior WR Isaiah Weston. Weston has 578 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns this season. Last week in the win against South Dakota State, Weston caught 4 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Northern Iowa's best defensive player is linebacker Spencer Cuvelier. Cuvelier leads the Panthers in tackles by a wide margin with 73 total tackles. Cuvelier missed the game last week against South Dakota State and is doubtful for this week's game.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings predicts a 27-24 Northern Iowa victory and gives SIU a 41% chance of winning.
Links:
Nick Hill Press Conference 10/25
Nick Hill interview with Mike Reis 10/21
Mike Reis with former SIU head coach and Northern Iowa offensive assistant/QB coach Shawn Watson
Gene Green with LB Branson Combs
This is going to be a REALLY tough game for SIU. They're going to have to play a complete game without any significant mistakes to get a win. SIU likes to make things close with all of their opponents, no matter how talented. They need to jump on UNI outta the gate and keep the pressure on them. This is yet another statement game for SIU's football program. LET'S GO DAWGS!!!
Looks like SIU is 5.5 point favorites this weekend. Pretty surprised by that
Looks like SIU is 5.5 point favorites this weekend. Pretty surprised by that
put me down for trees under 5.
This game has me nervous. I think this is the toughest game left on the schedule and they got a big boost of confidence last week, taking out SDSU. I hope we come ready to play or we could get whooped. They looked very balanced last week and really it never felt like the game was ever in doubt.
Methinks we beat the Purple PuddyTats - our offense, when it's clicking, is better than SDSU's. As long as we don't go dropping balls in their endzone or throwing silly picks, I don't think they can stop us. That said, we have always had a tough time playing there. Maybe we need Dale Lennon on the sidelines!
This game has me nervous. I think this is the toughest game left on the schedule and they got a big boost of confidence last week, taking out SDSU. I hope we come ready to play or we could get whooped. They looked very balanced last week and really it never felt like the game was ever in doubt.
Same here. Salukis must play a complete game in the dome of doom.
Get a lead and build it. No let up, because we probably can't rely on a last minute miracle this week. Go Dawgs!
March on triumphantly!
Looks like SIU is 5.5 point favorites this weekend. Pretty surprised by that
dang, if you can get 5.5 and the cats take it!!
Craving a McBride Special!
Couple of interviews posted
Mike Reis with former SIU head coach and Northern Iowa offensive assistant/QB coach Shawn Watson:
Gene Green with LB Branson Combs:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=5840&type=Archive
Feels like we haven’t played a game in a month.
Glad game day is finally here. Today we find out if this team is a legit contender.
If the Dawgs can pull this off on the road, look out.
Dawg fans in the Des Moines tv viewing area, that aren't going to the game, channel 23 is carrying the game.
Not feeling good about the game today. I think this UNI team is underrated, even at #16, and it feels like we're just due for a loss given how many games we've managed to pull out at the very end.
Prove me wrong, Dawgs. A win here would be huge for our title chances and playoff seed.
If we get up 3 tds early, let's go ahead and blow them out. It won't hurt any of our feelings.
“The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.”
― Ayn Rand
Seeing Northern Iowa favored by 3 points which makes way more sense than what I posted earlier. You basically get 3 points for home field as a rule of thumb which makes this a 50/50 game
