As the saying goes, when it rains it pours.

With three games left, the NIU football team has had a season to forget while the Chicago Bears are at the midway point of stumbling through a Super Bowl hangover. But for every horror story, there’s always a bright spot. The bright spot: Both teams are heading into a bye week.

For those who still think the Bears have hope left for this season at 3-5, think twice. Although Tommie Harris guaranteed a Bears postseason appearance after Sunday’s loss, don’t be fooled. I hear he also believes in the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.

Realistically, “Da” Bears would have to win six of their final eight games to make the playoffs. And to do that, they would have to, I don’t know, play a little defense and stop opposing running backs from making a mockery of a once proud defensive unit.

Also, learning how to block, catch and run is essential. Sunday, the Bears missed an opportunity to go into their bye week at 4-4 and missed a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Instead of coming out aggressive, they came out flat against the same Lions team that four weeks ago embarrassed them by putting up an NFL-record 34 fourth-quarter points.

The tone of the game was set on the very first play when – surprise, surprise – Cedric Benson dropped a pass. Mistakes like that, coupled with numerous mental mistakes, have doomed the Bears this season. If anything, Sunday proved that the Bears’ woes were not just because of Rex. Brian Griese seems like a nice short-term solution at QB but there was a reason why he wasn’t starting in the first place and there’s a reason why he is yet to make it through a full NFL season.

On the other hand, the Huskies were done after the second game of the season - a heartbreaking loss to SIU - and since then it’s been the same story each week. The latest defeat: A 70-21 thumping at the hands of one of the team’s biggest rivals, Toledo.

The Rockets’ collected 812 yards of total offense – a school record – and the yardage marks the highest total of any Division I team this season.
I know injuries have piled up, but come on. Toledo has had its fair share of injuries too and are no longer a MAC powerhouse. Saturday’s game was supposed to be a close game between two traditional MAC powers who are having down years.

With three games left, NIU needs to show some pride for a school that, before this year, could easily be regarded as having the best football program in the state.

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