I know that before this the only non automatic qualifier schools that had made it into the BCS had been Boise State and TCU. The difference between those schools and Northern Illinois is, is that they went undefeated all the years that they qualified for the BCS game. This is the first time a non-AQ team made it with a loss. I know everyone is saying go look at who NIU played this year and everything but I have, and i've watched them play twice on television. If I had it my way their quarterback Jordan Lynch would be a serious Heisman candidate and I think he deserves to be. If you're saying Johnny Manziel has the Heisman wrapped up then compare the numbers. Jordan Lynch has 2,962 passing yards for 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. Manziel has 3,419 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Obviously Manziel has the upper hand in yards, but Lynch has thrown the same amount of touchdowns with less interceptions. Then we look at rushing where people say Manziel is the best dual threat quarterback in the nation....yeah good one. Lynch has almost 1,800 yards on the ground for 19 touchdowns compared to almost 1,200 for Manziel. Johnny also has 19 rushing touchdowns. Obviously these two seem like they are identical players. I know some will say, "Well Manziel plays in SEC!" and yes sir you are right. Right in the fact that you're an idiot. It doesn't matter to educated college football players where you play. You don't get to choose your competition, unless you're part of the top 20 recruits in the nation. Lynch wasn't recruited by big time programs because of his height, he's 6'0 ft. And personally after watching him I would take him any day over Florida State's E.J. Manuel, probably not Manziel seeing as he's a red-shirt freshman.....Now don't get me wrong. I think Manziel will win the Heisman (Even though Te'o should, he didn't have any off games,) but I just wanted to show everyone how productive Lynch has been this year.
One thing that might be in NIU's favor in this bowl game is the fact that FSU hasn't won a BCS bowl game since 1999, and have lost the Orange Bowl every time they have been a part of it. FSU also could become the victim of overlooking a team. This happens all the time especially with the big D-1 schools and wouldn't surprise me if FSU did that. They think their some bad ass program who thinks they probably should have had a better record, so I can see EJ Manuel coming out flat, especially after the long break they will have. The only down side is that NIU's coach has already taken a new coaching job at North Carolina State, and for some unknown reason he is still going to be the coach for NIU in the Orange Bowl. I have never liked the idea of a coach that has accepted a new job staying the coach for the bowl game. I think it's unfair to the team and the program as a whole. Having someone at the helm who has nothing to lose is not benefiting anyone.
I'm not saying NIU is going to go in there and blow FSU out of the water. It wouldn't really surprise me if FSU obliterated them. The one big win NIU had this year was Kansas who they beat by seven points, so it's possible that they don't belong. But if you agree with that then neither does Louisville, or Wisconsin. I just like to see teams be given a chance. NIU did almost everything they could have right. They should be rewarded with something. I just really don't like the fact that everyone is prejudging them and their worthiness. Oklahoma shouldn't have lost to Notre Dame and Kansas State if they wanted a BCS game. All I can do now though is pray that NIU goes in there and shuts Jesse Palmer and his fauxhawk up for good. They'll be doing us all a favor.
Credit: CBS Affiliate News Channel 9 D.C.
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