First, congratulations to Northern Illinois (NoIll, if you will ). They obviously showed they can compete with big time programs and Turner will get more pub after this win. Its also nice to see the ACC be shown for what it is. But, the point of this thread is the scheduling of such teams on the road. I understand that the deal called for 2 games at Maryland, 1 at NoIll. Can't Maryland find other teams to play at home? If not, why not play a more established program in a home-and-home series. A loss to a more established program is much more palatable than one to the Huskies of Northern Illinois. That game must have been the biggest game in DeKalb in the school's history. I've lived in "NoIll" for 2 years, and I have no idea where DeKalb is. Why play there??? Recruiting? No. Money? Doubt it. I just don't understand this. While I'm surprised at Miami playing Tech in Shreveport, that game makes a little more sense in that it was played off campus, in a stadium which regularly hosts a bowl. Plus, there is a HUGE difference between a Miami entering one of these places and Maryland doing the same. The upset potential is much higher for Maryland than for Miami. I just don't understand the rationale for scheduling this game. Can anyone with more insight enlighten me? Congrats, NoIll Huskies
Similar case a few years back when ULL beat A&M. It's a great way for the smaller schools to "pack the house" whereas, any other opponent, they wouldn't. But, in this case, NIU is predicted to win their division of the MAC--Not that that should be a "feel good" for the Terps, but at least they didn't lose to the University of Ohio--or Akron.
