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For those who have followed BG and MAC football over the last 10-12 years or so, many of us know that before Marshall was making all kinds of noise in the MAC, BG used to be one of the top teams, including a stretch in the early 1990s where it was THE team in the MAC. BG obviously went through a stretch where it fell out of the top tier of the MAC not too long ago, while teams like Marshall and Toledo continued to shine. But recently, BG has made its way back to the top of the MAC, evident from last season.

I see this game at NIU on Friday as a "statement game" for BG and to the rest of the MAC. During Marshall's incredible run in the MAC for all of those years, this is exactly the type of game and challenge they would take care of business with time and time again. Every time some team would rise to challenge Marshall, the Herd would stomp them down. Marshall wore a bulls-eye on its back year after year, and year after year they won these type of games. I feel that is what BG needs to do. This is a HUGE game for both BG and NIU, but if BG can go out there and win this on NIU's home field, it sends a message to the rest of the MAC that we are here to stay on top, and last year wasn't just a flash in the pan.

We've got something to do and prove Friday night....so let's go out there and do it!

I'll post to that!

I've been around long enough to remember the last time we were the top of the heap with the rest looking on in wide-eyed wonder. Life was good. Life is good again. Before though I didn't think there was much to hope for outside of a title. Another good aspect to the entire conference doing well is enjoying being good even when we aren't the title winner. I don't read much into divisional titles. But it adds more depth to the list of things to watch during the year.

It is more gratifying that we are this good and are not back sliding, or suffering from the sense we are only on a passing roll.

I would agree and say that this year we are finally at a point where we can make a statement and solidly claim a spot as a solid top tier team in the MAC (with a win of course).

In years past (02) heading in to a game like at NIU some felt we could be that team, but with injuries and limited depth we were on the cusp. Now I can wholeheartedly say we have a legitimate PROGRAM in place and can truelly establish ourselves with another successful season instead of just good motivation (Urban) and execution (J5, Redd).

This a statement game for our PROGRAM. Man , it feels nice to say that.

Well said, 33. Good post. Its exactly right. Championship programs win this game.

Exactly, and we can put a big "Falcon-head" stamp on the rest of the MAC if we go to NIU and get a win.