Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: November 18th, 2014 8:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois  (8-2, 5-1 MAC)

Site: Peden Stadium

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Ohio Radio

Webcast: ESPN3

Ohio Game Notes

Northern Illinois statistics, roster and media guide.

Northern Illinois Fan Site:  The Dog Pound  

Ohio Injury List (status is my interpretation based upon media reports):

With the extra time to prepare, Vick should be better than last week. While this would not likely be needed if the other facets of the game are clicking like last week, be prepared that we will probably need him to be at the top of his game.

On Northern Illinois' board, their fans are taking exception to the fact that they don't get props because they don't look "impressive" enough. That's wrong. Northern is a team that knows how to win, just like Florida State somehow pulling games out of their hind ends every week.

If we don't play at the top of our game, we lose.

My grandson, who is 9 years old, received a voucher for a free ticket to this game. The weather forecast currently calls for a high that day of 29*! I promised him I would take him to see this nationally televised night game to see the Bobcats play under the lights. Sure hope they have a great game! Will anybody else be there? Blankets?

The last time these two teams met in the regular season was on 11/21/09 in Athens, the Bobcats won 38-31. Since that game NIU is 3-3 vs CMU and 30-0 vs every other MAC team in regular season games. Since losing to NIU in the 2011 MACC game Ohio is 11-11 vs MAC opponents. A win on Tuesday would be a big one.

I'm in +1 + layers + blankets + flask

(Can I borrow a flask?)

My flask is spoken for.

Have you tried the battery powered, electric gloves? I ride motorcycle in cold temps with others whose gloves plug into the bike. They really like the gloves and I think I have seen the battery versions in hunting supply stores.

Ready for my first home game, but my luck needs to change-we've lost the last 4 games I've attended.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to check into these ideas. I think my problem stems from having my hands frostbitten as a grade school kid. In the past I could tolerate games in mid 30s with these little chemical hand warmer pads. But on Tuesday the high is supposed to be upper 20s. That might just be too much. I had an experience a few years ago providing communication for something called the Bobcat Marathon at Lake Hope under similar conditions. This was with other members of the Athens County Amateur Radio club. My hands hurt for about 24 hours afterwards.

My feet/hand problems also stem from frostbite when younger. I went on many, many winter campouts, including some below zero, plus built many snowmen and snow forts, etc. The key thing a lot of people miss, though, is the way the body works, as I mentioned above. If the head/trunk are cold, the body automatically reduces blood flow to the extremities. Keep the trunk/and head warm, and the hands will do much better. I was out this morning in 20 degrees, and ended up taking my gloves off.


*Multiple layers - check - for me, t-shirt, typical waffle weave long underwear, but the ski shop will be happy to sell some even warmer, hi-tech (expensive) gear
*Normal warm clothing over those - check
*Insulated overalls - check - the ski shop will sell you some expensive fancy ones. I use the standard brown ones from the farm/tractor supply store
*good coat - check - I use down, but you can also go with hi-tech. The coat should also have Gore-tex or similar to block wind/water, a hood, and neck protection.
*real scarf/full face stocking cap - check - this is essential for real cold. When the weather gets really cold, I go a step further. When we're talking windchill of -25 or less, that gear won't do, and I go to a full face neoprene ninja mask, available at the ski store. It has holes for the eyes, small openings for the nose and mouth, and covers everything else down to the neck. I have trouble wearing my glasses with it, however. It's not the most comfortable, but it is certainly warm, and does make 25 below tolerable. If you wear the mask, add the stocking cap and scarf over it.
*good gloves/boots - check - and I agree - the gloves must come from a ski shop. There is no substitute. They should be the ones rated "warmest", and given your problem, consider using mittens, with the inserts for the chemical or battery heat. I also do have some slightly oversized boots with some rechargeable, remote controlled heated insoles that came from a hunting store. (they had to be oversized to allow the extra insole thickness).
*limit alcohol/coffee - Check - you do not want to be making frequent pit stops in this gear. It is simply too much trouble.

With this gear I'm OK down to about -30 or -35 windchill, but that's while moving, and doing things. Just sitting, watching a game I think I'd be fine down at zero or -10. You may feel like the Stay-puft marshmellow man, but you'll be warm.

Oh, one other thing you can add to this is a bun warmer. LOL. There are stadium seats you can buy that include a gel insert. Before the game you heat the gel in a microwave, and then put it back in the cushion, and it stays warm for a couple hours. I actually have one I got as a gift.

Ohio opens a 2.5 point underdog. Anybody else surprised at how low that is? Don't get me wrong, I think Ohio's got a good shot at the W if they play well. But I didn't figure Vegas would see it my way.

palpable excitement here for tomorrow

dilfer on cowherd today noted a simple, effective adjustmnet by belichick--oppo's was 3 down linemen supplemented by two outside, mobile 'backers...backers fast but not heavy, so belichick added a rookie tackle at 'TE' and ran on 'em ...not that anyone's suggested lightweight secondaries in MAC so go heavyweight run, because you'd have to be belichick football savvy to see/suggest that.

With wind chills near zero the passing game could be ineffective for both teams. We need to stop NIU's running and get a big night from Oullette and Vick on the ground. Should be old-fashioned, smash-mouth football.