In addition to defeating Iowa State, UNI slaughtered McNeese St., 41-6. McNeese St. is viewed as a top 10 team and at the end of the season UNI will be able to sell this as a major non-conference win. I'm actually not convinced UNI gets past Illinois State next week. However, if they win their last four, their resume will also include a win over YSU. I'm inclined to think that a resume with three quality wins could get a team with four losses into the playoffs.
Right now I think the YSU-UNI game is a shoot out like last year and UNI could win despite its miserable season. UNI will be able to go after YSU's achilles heel--pass defense. QB Sawyer Kollmorgen is one of the two best QBs in the conference. Even if our constantly improving secondary provides excellent coverage, their receivers will only need a step or two lead over their defenders because YSU's failure to create a decent pass rush creates a situation in which Kollmorgan can plant his feet and be aggressive in his throws. Oddly, we probably only need to use our LBs a bit differently and everything works out, but I'm thinking that Tresey would have done that by now if he had intended to.
Right now I see YSU in the playoffs because the final run will include wins over South Dakota and South Dakota St., but we all know how recent YSU teams have failed to live up to expectations when they hit key moments in their seasons. I've got to say, though, this year's team seems different, even with low moments like Dayton and W. Illinois.
