I thought the Northwestern tape was from 2001 or 2002 not 1998. It's hard to believe that very much has changed since then.
SLC would have dismantled Lakeland in 2005. Everybody knew SLC was the best team in the nation except Chris Lawlor. In 2005 SLC was the most favored national champ of ANY mythical champ since the DLS glory days. SLC was #1 in 2005 at it wasn't even close.
I'd say that 2006 was slightly closer, but Lakeland struggled several times during the year. Early in the year their victory over StX seemed impressive BUT even that game lost it's luster when StX got beat early in the Ohio playoffs. Lakeland really didn't have the kind of season that a national championship team should have. If Lakeland hadn't started the season ranked high, they probably wouldn't have made the top 5 at the end.
SLC, on the other hand, started much lower in the rankings in 2006. (They had 10 new starters on offense.) During the season and the playoffs SLC proved how good they were at the same time that Lakeland was struggling. That is why the combined polls put SLC as #1 in 2006.
I REALLY look forward to the game with Northwestern if it happens in 2007. You say SLC "promised" to play the game. That is false. The game has not yet been officially announced by anyone. However, it looks like it will happen. Northwestern will see an exhibition of discipline, execution and teamwork that they have never seen before. If the game is played in Dragon Stadium, they will see a packed house that we see pretty much every week.
Slcdad who gives a you know what. We have been through this already. Lakeland/slc #1 in 2006. Who cares? How long are you going to drag this on.
And yes you did see the tape from the year of the bull tape. And trust me . things have changed. And northwestern Brings crowds of 20,000 to some of ther reg season games. So crowds will not be problem. Carroll will not have th fire power to keep up with northwestern. I can see it biging close then the bulls pulling away.