2024 Game 10 Preview: Northern Iowa

[tony]

I watched a bit of the UNI v Missouri State game. If Missouri State is good, then Northern Iowa is nearly as good. UNI's offensive line dominated Missouri State's defensive line and made #2 Tye Edwards look like David Johnson. Edwards has averaged 6.0 ypc for the year despite UNI's terrible record.

On the flip side, Hawai'i and the other Dakotas held UNI to under 75 yards rushing (UNI got behind early in all those games though.)

[Professor Chaos]

I watched a bit of the UNI v Missouri State game. If Missouri State is good, then Northern Iowa is nearly as good. UNI's offensive line dominated Missouri State's defensive line and made #2 Tye Edwards look like David Johnson. Edwards has averaged 6.0 ypc for the year despite UNI's terrible record.

On the flip side, Hawai'i and the other Dakotas held UNI to under 75 yards rushing (UNI got behind early in all those games though.)

Either their offense turned some page last week against Missouri St or they just played a great game offensively (and Missouri St played poorly defensively) because UNI's offense has been putrid this year - 111th in the FCS in points scored per game, 91st in yards per game, and 75th in yards per play even after including that game. Their defense has been nearly as bad:




Turnover differential on the season is +14 for NDSU and -6 for UNI so that'll be a key. I'm still pretty baffled by NDSU's pedestrian rushing offense numbers this year. They're 18th in the FCS in rushing offense and 43rd now in yards per carry. The passing game is now 34th in pass yards per game and 2nd in pass efficiency so the pass game is kind of carrying the offense right now - when is the last time we've said that about the Bison offense??? UNI's run defense is pretty bad though (109th in the FCS allowing 5.35 yards per carry) so another opportunity this weekend for the Bison run game to re-discover its swagger.

Thanks to the punting game debacle at Murray NDSU went from being ranked in the 40s in net punt average to 102nd in the FCS.

[mtoutfitter]

Watched a little of the UNI and MSU game as well. Both teams looked better than advertised, at least by my eye test.

[tony]

Watched a little of the UNI and MSU game as well. Both teams looked better than advertised, at least by my eye test.

What'd you think about the Missouri State QB? That dude looked NFL-ready to me.

Missouri State had two 100+ yard rushers against UNI so I sure hope NDSU can sharpen up the run game.

[mtoutfitter]

What'd you think about the Missouri State QB? That dude looked NFL-ready to me.

Missouri State had two 100+ yard rushers against UNI so I sure hope NDSU can sharpen up the run game.

Not sure about the NFL but he did look good in the 2 series I saw.

[tony]

Non-fun fact: Last year, NDSU's RBs ran only 17 times for 32 yards against UNI's defense.

[KSBisonFan]

Non-fun fact: Last year, NDSU's RBs ran only 17 times for 32 yards against UNI's defense.

I've finally accepted the fact we are a pass blocking line who runs the ball. Not bad by FCS standards, but not the same type of line and running game that mauled FBS teams.

[THEsocalledfan]

I hope folks listened to the McFeeley mess pod from 25K feet. Some good discussion how UNI is no longer competing for the G5 level recruits like SDSU and NDSU, but are even getting owned by UND. That was interesting to me.

[17>1]

Personally, I enjoyed the days when these guys were relevant/good and coming into our building with some swagger. Those were some slugfests the early days of our D1 history.

[Twentysix]

Watched a little of the UNI and MSU game as well. Both teams looked better than advertised, at least by my eye test.

I think its the opposite. I guess we will know in a week. Both are/were overrated this year. Uni more so than misery.