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NIU’s greatest victory keeps growing bigger.
Because of who they beat. And because Northern Illinois won in a way that makes it look like it can win again.
For years, NIU hung its hat on beating Alabama in 2003. No one seems to remember that win having more to do with the Crimson Tide being ordinary—4-9 that year, 2-6 in the SEC—than about the Huskies being extraordinary. Yes, NIU won all three of its games against the SEC, Big 12, and ACC, but only Maryland (10-3) lived up to its pedigree, with Iowa State (2-10) collapsing even worse than Alabama.
That pales in comparison to this year. A 16-14 win at No. 5 Notre Dame in the second week of the season was truly history-making. Not just for NIU. For its entire conference. The Mid-American Conference had been 0-51 lifetime against top-five teams before NIU rolled into South Bend.
More: Turn and burn: Former NIU star shines
This isn’t like Appalachian State beating No. 5 Michigan in 2007. Appalachian State won a third straight FCS title that year and Michigan finished 9-4 and ranked No. 18.
It isn’t even like Chaminade, an NAIA team that beat No. 1 Virginia and 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson in a 1982 Christmas tournament in college basketball’s most amazing upset. That team lost five games (including one to Cinderella champion North Carolina State in the NCAA tournament).
No, this is a win over a team that has been every bit as good as its No. 5 ranking. Even better. The week after losing to NIU, the Irish demolished Purdue 66-7. They beat a 10-0 Army team. They beat SEC champion Georgia by two touchdowns. They’ve won two games in the College Football Playoff.
If it wins two more, starting with Thursday’s semifinal against Penn State, Notre Dame will win its first National Championship in 36 years.
Notre Dame, a slight favorite Thursday against Penn State, has…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/back-back-bowl-wins-win-115045920.html
Author : Rockford Register Star
Publish date : 2025-01-07 11:50:00
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