Kansas University Upset NIU, You Bet!!!

From the September 16, 2012, KU Sports "Upset NIU? You Bet!" by Tom Keegan.

I found this article of interest last week, but didn't print it or the one yesterday from Alabama for fear of jinxing Northern Illinois' chances against the University of Kansas in the football game.  But, I enjoyed them so much, I just had to, meaning we're doomed Saturday against Central Michigan.  Whenever I write about a sports favorite, it is the kiss of death.  Just look whar happened to the White Sox this last week.  Oh well.

Mr. Keegan was upset that a MAC team would be favored to beat Kansas, a Big 12 team.  Even though Kansas foorball is not powerhouse, it is still one of what I call the BIG GUYS and NIU is one of the LITTLE GUYS.  And Northern was favored to win by ten points.  Kind of surprised me as well.

"Upsets happen when a football team feels disrespected.  They happen when an underdog  realizes what it does well and has the confidance to do it repeatedly, stubbornly believing it will work.

No reason Kansas University should not pull pff the upset Saturday in Dekalb, against a Northern Illinois squad favored by 10 points.  A Mid-American Conference team isn't supposed to be favored by a touchdown and field goal over a Big 12 squad, but that's where the betting line opened, the oddsmakers not-so-gently slapping the Jayhawks across the face."

He goes on to mention that Huskie coach Dave Doeren was formerly an assistant at Kansas who really wanted the head coach job a lot after Turner Gill was fired. 

"The Huskies make for a tough opponent, but there's no reason to believe that Kansas can't be tougher."

He goes on to document the Huskies problems stopping the run, nowhere more clear than against Army which resulted in a one-point Huskie victory the week before.

Well, Northern led the whole first half, but fell ten points behind in the 3rd quarter before rallying to win against Kansas 30-23, so KU beat the spread. 

And, after last year's 11-3 record , MAC Championship win, Go-Daddy Bowl win, and if this year is good, I'm sure Huskie coach Doeren will be Kansas' for the asking or some other BIG GUY school for 2013.  That's the problem with LITTLE GUY schools.  Any football or basketball success and you have to start looking for a new head coach.

And, No Doubt, Kansas Can Still Beat Us in Basketball.  --RoadDog


I Get These "Which Came First" items from the Mount Olive Pickle Co., located at the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets in Mount Olive, North Carolina.  Which came first?  The pickle company or the street names?  Answer tomorrow.