Northern Iowa vs Lehigh

[pantherrob82]

Each year is different. Looking for air deals to that place in Delaware.

Don't overlook MLI to PHL. I've never paid more than $240 r/t.

Best deal I'm finding right now is MLI to BWI. Cheaper if you go to DCA, but it's also a further drive.

[jd of de]

Don't overlook MLI to PHL. I've never paid more than $240 r/t.

Best deal I'm finding right now is MLI to BWI. Cheaper if you go to DCA, but it's also a further drive.

And a lot bigger hassle too since it puts you in the heart of DC traffic. It takes a big price difference for me to use DCA.

[pantherrob82]

Best deal I'm finding right now is MLI to BWI. Cheaper if you go to DCA, but it's also a further drive.

And a lot bigger hassle too since it puts you in the heart of DC traffic. It takes a big price difference for me to use DCA.

My only debate is if it was worth it to fly into the cheaper DCA so my wife could see the national mall area. She's never been and I haven't been in 15 years.

[JayJ79]

that's one game that I will have to watch on TV or the computer, if it happens.
but first things first, UNI has to take care of Lehigh.

[dbackjon]

UNI wins big

F U

[clenz]

that's one game that I will have to watch on TV or the computer, if it happens.
but first things first, UNI has to take care of Lehigh.

Same here...unless Rob wants to buy my tickets...

[JayJ79]

that's one game that I will have to watch on TV or the computer, if it happens.
but first things first, UNI has to take care of Lehigh.

Same here...unless Rob wants to buy my tickets...

I plan on being in the McLeod Center that day, watching the UNI volleyball team advancing to the Sweet 16 (aka Regionals) with a rousing win over Iowa State.

[pantherrob82]

that's one game that I will have to watch on TV or the computer, if it happens.
but first things first, UNI has to take care of Lehigh.

Same here...unless Rob wants to buy my tickets...

You work more than I do.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Northern Iowa
      
      Receivers/TEs - Lehigh
      
      Offensive Line - Lehigh
      
      
      Defensive Line - Northern Iowa
      
      Linebackers --- Lehigh
      
      Secondary ---- Lehigh
      
      
      Kicking ------ Northern Iowa
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Lehigh 27-38 Northern Iowa

[DJH]

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Northern Iowa
      
      Receivers/TEs - Lehigh
      
      Offensive Line - Lehigh
      
      
      Defensive Line - Northern Iowa
      
      Linebackers --- Lehigh
      
      Secondary ---- Lehigh
      
      
      Kicking ------ Northern Iowa
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      • • Lehigh 27-38 Northern Iowa

There is almost no way to say this without being disrespectful to what is a good Lehigh team so I apologize to Lehigh fans, but there is just no way that Lehigh has better recievers, linemen, or LBs than UNI. No way.

Lehigh may very well beat UNI on saturday, but it is not going to be because their players are better than UNI's.

[Mvemjsunpx]

There is almost no way to say this without being disrespectful to what is a good Lehigh team so I apologize to Lehigh fans, but there is just no way that Lehigh has better recievers, linemen, or LBs than UNI. No way.

Lehigh may very well beat UNI on saturday, but it is not going to be because their players are better than UNI's.

UNI may have more talent at those positions, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're better.

WR - UNI doesn't throw the ball much, so it's hard to know how good their receivers truly are, but Lehigh's receivers have certainly been more prolific.

LB - UNI has good linebackers, but Lehigh's starting 4 are the top 4 tacklers on the team & have 29.5 TFL & 17 sacks between them. As you'd expect in a 3-4, Lehigh's linebackers compensate for an unprolific D-Line (UNI clearly has the better D-Line).

OL - UNI has the better run-blocking line, Lehigh has the better pass blocking line. However, it's a bit concerning that UNI has allowed 30 sacks when they only throw the ball 20 times per game (Lehigh has allowed just 10 sacks while throwing the ball about 33 times per game).


Lehigh has the passing game to take advantage of UNI's suspect secondary, but the Panther offense & the UNI-Dome will make the difference. I thought this would be a big mismatch initially, but changed my mind after a closer look.

Another side thought: UNI has faced better overall competition this year, but I don't think they've faced better defenses. The MVFC was a shootout-happy league in 2010 while Lehigh did play UNH & Nova out-of-conference.

[DJH]

You are basing way too much of your opinion on individual statistics. Both teams play vastly different schedules, and play completely different styles of football.

And yeah, they did play UNH and 'Nova. And their combined score was 10-66....

[Mvemjsunpx]

You are basing way too much of your opinion on individual statistics. Both teams play vastly different schedules, and play completely different styles of football.

I think you're overestimating your team. UNI is in a better conference, but they're still a 7-4 marginal playoff team. The Panthers are better than Lehigh, but not that much better & not as much as I thought going in. The Panthers should win by a couple scores, but a blowout would surprise me. Remember that everyone thought Nova would kill Holy Cross in the first round last year & it was just a 10-point game.

(And I look at team stats, too, not just individual stats. I took everything I could into account ).

And yeah, they did play UNH and 'Nova. And their combined score was 10-66....

What does that have to do with what I said? How well Lehigh played in those games doesn't have much to do with strength of schedule or defensive strength of schedule.

[clenz]

UNI may have more talent at those positions, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're better.

WR - UNI doesn't throw the ball much, so it's hard to know how good their receivers truly are, but Lehigh's receivers have certainly been more prolific.

So because they have better numbers - in a more pass happy offense - they are better? Do you then believe the WR in Hawaii's (June Jones really as it is now SMU), or Mike Leach's system are better than the WR that Michigan, Miami, USC, Florida State, etc...? I mean, they had better numbers than any WR in those systems. I'd love to see Lehigh let Herring, Sinkfeld, Oordt (All American TE BTW), Lenoard, Turner, etc.. touch the ball and maek them beat them. They will outrun everyone on the field minus Rennie and Carlos Anderson. Herring is the conference champ in the 100 meter dash, and finished 3rd in the 200 - he also won the 100 and 200 in the Drake Relays (the biggest non-olympic track event in America) as a high schooler in 2007 and 2008. The sad thing is, I don't think he is the fastest person on the team - Rennie, Anderson, Leonard, and Sinkfeld would all give him a real test for that crown.

LB - UNI has good linebackers, but Lehigh's starting 4 are the top 4 tacklers on the team & have 29.5 TFL & 17 sacks between them. As you'd expect in a 3-4, Lehigh's linebackers compensate for an unprolific D-Line (UNI clearly has the better D-Line).

UNI runs a 3-4 defense too, that doesn't mean the d-line shouldn't make plays. The top 15 tacklers at UNI by position are - LB, LB, SS, LB, LB, DT, CB, DB, DB, DE, DE, LB, DB, LB, DB. That means that 6 of the top 15 are linebackers AND 4 of top 5 are LB and the SS plays a monster position really - The 4 line backers have 30 TFL and 10 sacks...oh and our defense isn't a blitzing defense. We rush 4 or 5...if we see more than 5 it is a weird site. The fact UNI has a dominant d-line doesn't take away from how good our LB's are. UNI's top 3 lb's have 5 int's and 14 PBU's between the top 4 in tackles. I haven't looked at Lehigh's stats in depth, but if they have no d-line play I'd bet their LB's have to have all world numbers.

OL - UNI has the better run-blocking line, Lehigh has the better pass blocking line. However, it's a bit concerning that UNI has allowed 30 sacks when they only throw the ball 20 times per game (Lehigh has allowed just 10 sacks while throwing the ball about 33 times per game).

This has been discussed elsewhere, the UNI sack number is skewed. Rennie is a running QB and it is up of the official scorer to determine if it was a run play or pass play - with Rennie there is no such thing as a pass play until the ball leaves his hand. There have been times where the scorer says a sack but I can promise you it was a run play - more than likely a delay or draw which will make it look like a "pass play".

I'd also bet Lehigh hasn't faced a pass rush like UNI has - 7th in the nation in sacks.


Lehigh has the passing game to take advantage of UNI's suspect secondary, but the Panther offense & the UNI-Dome will make the difference. I thought this would be a big mismatch initially, but changed my mind after a closer look.

Another side thought: UNI has faced better overall competition this year, but I don't think they've faced better defenses. The MVFC was a shootout-happy league in 2010 while Lehigh did play UNH & Nova out-of-conference

DJH has already pointed out the scores of those games. I will promise you NDSU, SDSU, WIU, Iowa State, and SFA have better defenses than anybody on Lehigh's schedule (the two CAA defenses aside as they are probably pretty similar.)



I'm sick of acting like this game will be close. This game *shouldn't* be within 17-20 points. That isn't saying it won't be, but it shouldn't.

[clenz]

[

What does that have to do with what I said? How well Lehigh played in those games doesn't have much to do with strength of schedule or defensive strength of schedule.

You used them as an example of proof Lehigh has played better defenses. They played two good defenses and got killed in both of those games.

[JayJ79]

UNI's WRs are more or less an unproven factor, since the Panthers hardly ever throw the ball (and when they do, much of the time it is to a TE)

And I'm not really familiar with Lehigh's TE situation, but I highly doubt they are better than UNI's.

[DJH]

You are basing way too much of your opinion on individual statistics. Both teams play vastly different schedules, and play completely different styles of football.

I think you're overestimating your team. UNI is in a better conference, but they're still a 7-4 marginal playoff team. The Panthers are better than Lehigh, but not that much better & not as much as I thought going in. The Panthers should win by a couple scores, but a blowout would surprise me. Remember that everyone thought Nova would kill Holy Cross in the first round last year & it was just a 10-point game.

(And I look at team stats, too, not just individual stats. I took everything I could into account ).

And yeah, they did play UNH and 'Nova. And their combined score was 10-66....

What does that have to do with what I said? How well Lehigh played in those games doesn't have much to do with strength of schedule or defensive strength of schedule.

I am certainly not overstating my team. I know exactly where we are as a team. You, however, are overstating Lehigh's talent level.

as for that last part, see clenz's last post.

[clenz]

I would also add that had UNI decided to show up against WIU, and won that game like they should have, you would not be calling UNI (the outright MVFC conference champion) a marginal at best playoff team. You would also likely have UNI has a 15-20 favorite

[clenz]

I also just noticed the return teams are a push....

[FargoBison]

Well at least he doesn't have you losing to 14-9 to a team that carriers 30 fewer scholarships than UNI and was knocked off by that football power Bryant in their last game.

I wouldn't be shocked if the MVFC schools make a statement tomorrow. The League is better than people think and it is heads and shoulders above the Patriot. UNI is easily as good as UNH, especially at the UNI dome. I'll say UNI 38-Lehigh 13

[Trapped in CA]

I also just noticed the return teams are a push....

Lehig's KO return actually ranks above Carlos Anderson on yards per return. No TDs though.

The punt return for UNI has been pretty blah this year. I don't believe I have sent a punt return for more than 10 yards (but I have missed a couple games).

[Mvemjsunpx]

You used them as an example of proof Lehigh has played better defenses. They played two good defenses and got killed in both of those games.

I didn't say Lehigh played better defenses, I said that UNI didn't play tougher defenses (I look at them as roughly equal). UNI clearly played better offenses, though. My point (which was more of an aside not designed to refute anyone's points or anything) was that, just because UNI played a tougher schedule doesn't mean that it was tougher in all areas.

So because they have better numbers - in a more pass happy offense - they are better?

First of all, Lehigh isn't "pass happy" (they actually have more rushing attempts than passing attempts). Second of all, if UNI's receivers were that much better, don't you think they'd get thrown to more? No-one on the Panthers even has 3 catches a game. Lehigh's receivers are far from all-world, but UNI's haven't done anything of note at all (aside from the TE, Oordt).

I'd also bet Lehigh hasn't faced a pass rush like UNI has - 7th in the nation in sacks.

That is true, though UNH's pass rush is pretty good. Even with the ferocious pressure, though, the UNI pass defense is still mediocre. And Lehigh LT Will Rackley is a projected NFL Draft Pick.

I would also add that had UNI decided to show up against WIU, and won that game like they should have, you would not be calling UNI (the outright MVFC conference champion) a marginal at best playoff team. You would also likely have UNI has a 15-20 favorite

Oh, that's brilliant… "My team is great if you disregard the games where they weren't great!"

Sure, the auto-bid was already clinched, but the Panthers still had something to play for—a first-round bye was on the line.



Sheesh… I pick UNI to win by double digits & you guys act like I've unleashed an unforgivable insult in not picking the Panthers by 50. Are you trying to become like North Dakota State fans circa 2007?

[JayJ79]

if UNI's receivers were that much better, don't you think they'd get thrown to more?

The greatest receivers in the world cannot catch passes that are not thrown....

That being said, I don't blame you for picking LUs receivers, with the data set you've been given to form your evaluations from.

[clenz]

if UNI's receivers were that much better, don't you think they'd get thrown to more?

The greatest receivers in the world cannot catch passes that are not thrown....

That being said, I don't blame you for picking LUs receivers, with the data set you've been given to form your evaluations from.

Wrong Jay...good WR always have a ton of catches - every game.


Jay, have you looked at Lehigh's WR stats compared to UNI's? You want to know why no UNI WR averages that many catchers per game? we appear to spread the ball around more than Lehigh does:

Spadola, Ryan 11-11 64 931 14.5 7 51 84.6
Drwal, Jake 11-11 42 458 10.9 2 30 41.6
Zurn, Craig 11-3 34 494 14.5 2 42 44.9

I think I know what kind of passing game they run. Oh, there is also that fact UNI has thrown the ball 223 times this year (20 times per game) and Lehigh has thrown 362 (33 times per game) That's 13 more pass attempts per game. I'm sure. That gives Rennie, on average, 7 or 8 more completions per game to spread around. Oh, there is also that fact UNI has 470 rushing attempts to the 223 passing atempts - Lehigh has 370 rushes to 362 passes. I didn't call Lehigh a pass happy offense, I said a more pass happy offense. Any of UNI's WR could have those numbers had we had 140 more passing attempts. The UNI WR are also averaging more YPC. It looks like Lehigh runs a shorter passing game - ala SFA - and UNI takes advantage of safteys playing up to stop the run.

[AZGrizFan]

I would also add that had UNI decided to show up against WIU, and won that game like they should have, you would not be calling UNI (the outright MVFC conference champion) a marginal at best playoff team. You would also likely have UNI has a 15-20 favorite

And if Montana had decided to show up against either EWU, Cal Poly or MSU you'd be saying the same thing about the Griz....you are making a GREAT argument in this thread Clenzy.....stick to facts.