Is our first game a must win?

[CycloneNC2015]

I think if we lose this first game making a bowl game could become increasingly difficult.

[VeloClone]

I think if we lose this first game making a bowl game could become increasingly difficult.

Not that it isn't a good question, but it really doesn't matter. They must play every game as if it is a must win if they are to be successful through this killer schedule this year.

[weR138]

I think if we lose this first game making a bowl game could become increasingly difficult.

I would predict impossible.

[Cyched]

Every game like this is a must win with our schedule

[CycloneErik]

In college football, isn't every game pretty much a must-win?

Obviously, with our schedule, we absolutely need to win this one.

[CycloneGB]

In college football, isn't every game pretty much a must-win?

Obviously, with our schedule, we absolutely need to win this one.

+1

[CycloneNC2015]

In college football, isn't every game pretty much a must-win?

Obviously, with our schedule, we absolutely need to win this one.

Depends on your goals for the season. If you want an MNC then yes every game is a must. If your goal is to make a bowl game then not every game is a must win. I believe we are in a situation where we want a bowl game but with our schedule we MUST win the games we are supposed to and then we must win a game we arent. I dont think we can afford to drop this game and think we can make it up agianst someone we arent supposed to beat.

[RyCy04]

I think if we lose this first game making a bowl game could become increasingly difficult.

I haven't checked your math on this but I think you are correct.

[ahaselhu]

I would predict impossible.

No doubt that it makes things more difficult, but I don't think it would at all be impossible.

I think this is a really difficult matchup for us in week one, with the inexperience we'll be putting out there in key positions. If we were to play them in the 3rd or 4th game, giving our newcomers more time to get comfortable, I think we'd handle them pretty well. But being the first game makes it much more difficult.

Counting NIU, I currently see 9 possible wins on the schedule. A close loss to NIU wouldn't change my opinions of the other games, as I expect our defense to improve dramatically as the season goes on.

With Nebraska and Missouri getting hit fairly hard by injuries and suspensions, I feel like our last 4 games are winnable. Add in KSU, UNI, TT, and Utah, all of which I think we have a good shot at, and 6 wins is certainly possible even if we lose to NIU.

[Clones21]

Yes. Yes

[ahaselhu]

In college football, isn't every game pretty much a must-win?

Obviously, with our schedule, we absolutely need to win this one.

I'm not saying that the football team should consider this a must win. Obviously, for the team every game should be a must win.

For us fans however, no need to be writing off this season if we lose a close one.

[CycloneErik]

Depends on your goals for the season. If you want an MNC then yes every game is a must. If your goal is to make a bowl game then not every game is a must win. I believe we are in a situation where we want a bowl game but with our schedule we MUST win the games we are supposed to and then we must win a game we arent. I dont think we can afford to drop this game and think we can make it up agianst someone we arent supposed to beat.

Given the limited # of games in the regular season, and the fact that our goal (like everyone else) is to get ourselves to a bowl game, then this is a must-win, just like every week, but with a weaker opponent that we ought to destroy.

[rebecacy]

I think if we lose this first game making a bowl game could become increasingly difficult.

YES!!!!!!

[cyfanatic]

I would predict impossible.

I agree with you completely!

[Cyclonepride]

Guess I'm going against prevailing thought. The first game is the first game of a long season. Winning would certainly help to build momentum. I think it's dangerous to call a bowl trip off after one game.