How do BG fans see NIU vs. BG?

[huskiealum03]

How big is this game to you BG fans?

[BGSUfanatUT]

Kind of a toss up here. I think its a relatively new rivalry, but an intense one none the less. It is soon to be a big rivalry, and its getting a lot of media attention to fuel it. I wouldnt say we hate you though. You guys arent marshall or MU or UT. You guys got hosed royally last year, and thats not cool. If we can both make it to a bowl that would be my 1st choice, but if the MAC gets 2 bowls, the odds of them being from the same division are slim. I think we both need to runthe table after this game for that to even be a possibility, and neither Mu or Marshall to sweep their side, if no one sticks otu fromt eh east, it may be possible.

[Dayons_Den]

I woudld say B, C, and D.

B- Very importand MAC game, will go far in determining the MAC west champ

C- Developing Rivalry- The games have meant so much recently that it has become a good on the field rivalry in that the teams are solid and put on a great show and have drawn regional/national media attention

D- I hate you because of the way you treated us (BG and specifically me and my father) when we went there in '02.

This is going to be a long damn week, now I am not so against Tuesday or Wednesday games all of a sudden!!

[NWLB]

I think we respect NIU. They have earned what they have, they didn't use 1A drop-downs to build a team before coming to the MAC, like Marshall. They have not bought into conference jumping this time. The administration that alienated NIU from much of the MAC is long gone. I know some old-timers weren't thrilled NIU was brought back to the MAC in part of the attitude they had when leaving.

I think NIU's remote location had caused it to remain an afterthought here among the "mainland" MAC members. However it has become a red-letter date on schedules for football. Basketball is a strong aspect that hasn't yet gotten the same attention. However NIU was an NCAA team just before coming to the MAC, and they have a top-flight facility. It is certain they will be a strong part of MAC basketball in the future.

All in all, its a great athletics program that has proven to be the best expansion program of any of those the MAC added. It should never have left, but its good to have them back.

In terms of head-to-head games, and rivalry?

Its not easy to bump Miami or Toledo from their spots. Some folks at BG badly wanted students and fans to see CMU as a major rival in the early-mid 90s. They had played us tough for years, finally beat us. But the fans never bought into it. Now, aside from avenging the @#$% Fat Punter game, there isn't much to it.

NIU I think is moving beyond a passing rivalry and into a standing one. There isn't any hate there. This isn't personal, its football. It is two very worthy teams nodding to respected counterparts across the field. It is two sets of fans trying to make their stadium louder than the counterparts from the year before.

Its the kind of rivalry where I don't mind having the other teams fans eating at the table next to me.

Its an enjoyable kind of rival to have.

[Schadenfreude]

If I didn't respect NIU, I'd be thrilled at the prospect of BG moving back to the East.

I'm not thrilled by that prospect. It will lessen the intensity of Bowling Green-Toledo. Throw the strong, developing rivalry with NIU into the mix and the West is very much worth playing in.

The West is preferrable, in my opinion. I'd like to see Ball State move to the East.

If NIU wasn't any good, I'd want back in the East.

[kdog27]

I woudld say B, C, and D.

B- Very importand MAC game, will go far in determining the MAC west champ

C- Developing Rivalry- The games have meant so much recently that it has become a good on the field rivalry in that the teams are solid and put on a great show and have drawn regional/national media attention

D- I hate you because of the way you treated us (BG and specifically me and my father) when we went there in '02.

This is going to be a long damn week, now I am not so against Tuesday or Wednesday games all of a sudden!!

In response to D, did we really treat them any better last year? I was at both games and I would say no. Fans got caught up in the hype of hosting a huge game in both circumstances.

[Dayons_Den]

Exactly my point kdog. . . This has become a heated, hated rival.

Now as NWLB put it its not like when you are out to eat and seated near TU fans and you want to vommit, but my adrenaline does get pumping thinking about going to the game and cheering on the Falcons against their hostile crowd.. . .

[Falconfreak90]

I see NIU as a tough, physical league rival...the way I used to view WMU.
We've only played 14 times over the years so it doesn't have a great history.

But these last 2 games have been exciting, heavyweight bouts. I kinda agree with SF on moving back to the East now...I'd hate to see this series get interrupted.

The game is big because NIU is the first, and most difficult, step toward repeating as West Champs. We've won the OOC games vs the BCS and the home games vs UT and NIU. We've yet to win the difficult MAC road games. I feel if ya wanna be the champ, ya gotta win on the road as well as home. Beating NIU and UT on the road will definitely earn the title. NIU has BG and UT at home...big advantage. BG had that last yr.

BG is now at the level where we expect wins no matter where the games are played. NIU has traveled a similar road.

I feel confident BG can handle any stadium atmosphere these days.

I don't like NIU but I certainly don't hate NIU either. I respect what Novak has done in Dekalb. He built a winner the correct way and the NIU administration stuck by him during that 3-30 span. It has paid off in a big way.

This will be a bruising, physical game. Looking forward to Chapter 3 of this novel.

GO FALCONS!!!

[huskiealum03]

about the rough treatment you guys got in dekalb, i make no excuses for the rowdies, but from what i hear from friends BG wasn't exactly heaven to hang out in. Both crowds are new to the media attention and I think thats why they act the way they do.. But, i've been looking forward to this game all week. I just want the damned work week to end already and get to the game!!!

[NWLB]

The beer was flowing thick enough that you could smell it everyplace in the tailgate section. I think the buzz from Gameday, the fact that the crowd itself was a new experience for BG fans, and everything else going on that day might have made it a rougher ride than some are used too.

Given how many non-BGSU fans showed up, and the general excitement, I'm pleased things went as well as they did. If this happened more often, the routine would tone things down.

I think you could possibly manage to build a home game against Marshall or UT into something approaching that day. Again, another reason an improved MAC is a great thing.

After awhile, people will cease to care who it is we play, but for now, we need to make the big games count.