Editors note: Point/Counterpoint features two members of the Northern Star sports staff in a debate about topics in the NIU sporting world.

Sean Connor: Is there any possible way Buffalo could be as good or better than Ohio?

Ben Gross: Well … no. Buffalo isn’t a better team than Ohio, but they’re going to present more of a challenge than those Bobcats.

SC: If a larger challenge to you is playing a team that won 9-3 in overtime over Temple, which hasn’t won a football game since Elvis died, you’ve got some reflection to do.

BG: So the Bulls came out of the gates slow. But they showed up last week, losing to Bowling Green in triple overtime.

SC: Big deal, they’ve improved. Not too hard a thing to do for a team that finished 1-10 last year.

BG: Still, you have to watch out for teams like that. NIU coach Joe Novak took an NIU squad from 2-9 in 1998 to a respectable 5-6 program in 1999.

SC: Yeah, Novak also had two juniors on that team by the name of Justin McCareins and Ryan Diem, who now play in the NFL. Buffalo will be lucky to send one of its players to NFL Europe.

BG: So the quality of players isn’t the best. Buffalo still has Tuner Gill as a coach, who worked with Ohio’s coach Frank Solich at Nebraska. I bet Gill has used a few anytime minutes getting dirt on the Huskies.

SC: Yeah, but Solich’s offensive line didn’t give up 43 sacks last fall. Also, Buffalo’s leading back ran for only 557 yards last year.

BG: I agree. Buffalo doesn’t have the talent of Ohio. But they have momentum. Something NIU needs to find like the Chicago Cubs need to find a pitcher who will stay healthy.

SC: If NIU needs momentum after losing to Ohio then as NIU kicker Chris Nendick said, “they’ve got problems.”

BG: I’m not denying that they’re fired up for the game, but I don’t know any team that started 0-2 who wouldn’t like some momentum.

SC: Aside from momentum, let’s stick to the old saying, “take it one game at a time.” NIU no longer has a place for a bull’s-eye on its back because its back is now against the wall.

BG: Yeah, have you been against that wall? It isn’t too comfortable. Are you saying NIU is desperate now?

SC: Desperate, no. Focused, yes.

BG: Still, there’s the issue of injury now for NIU. The defense is battered up.

SC: In all due respect, and no offense to Alvah Hansbro, but NIU’s secondary as a whole couldn’t get any worse. And having Zach Holycross back at defensive tackle with a cast may be better than having just Zach Holycross.

BG: So now a cast on the hand of one of NIU’s defensive linemen will be the savior of NIU’s sack-less season? Well, I guess a cast to the head could stun a guy a bit.

SC: Possibly. What I’m saying is that NIU has been smacked in the mouth twice, and now it’s time to fight back, even if it’s with a cast.

BG: Agreed, a cast will be a nice addition to the depth chart. Let’s hope Buffalo is up for some clubbing Saturday night.

Sean Connor and Ben Gross are NIU football beat reporters for the Northern Star.