Over the last 10 years, the Northern Illinois Huskies have been the winningest team in the state of Illinois and in the MAC. Last year the Huskies became the first ever MAC team to secure a bid in a BCS bowl, when they made it to the Orange Bowl. This years squad brings back 12 starters overall, including just 4 on defense, but they are still the class of the MAC. The year Rod Carey takes over a club that is 800-1 odds to win the 2014 BCS Title.
Jordan Lynch returns after setting a new FBS single-season rushing record for a quarterback with 1,815 yards, pass for 3,138 yards with 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions on his way to finishing seventh in the Heisman voting. Lynch is looking to prove that his 2012 numbers weren’t a fluke and to silence his critics after a frustrating Orange Bowl performance against Florida State. Other than Lynch, the Huskies don't really have many playmakers on offense and that has to be a concern for Rod Carey. Tommy lee Lewis, Da’Ron Brown and Angelo Sebastiano combined for 70 total catches in 2012, which was five less than Martel Moore (graduated) had alone. The OL should be very sound with all 5 starters back and they will look to open holes for Lynch and Akeem Daniels, who rushed for 460 yards at 6.6 yp pop last year. This offense has a chance to be scary good once again.
Lost behind their high powered offense was a defense that allowed just 19.9 ppg and 369 ypg last year. This year they must replace 8 starters from that group, with three of the top four sack leaders departing, plus 7 of their top 10 tacklers have departed as well. The front seven is young but there is plenty of potential in this group. Defensive end George Rainey and tackle Ken Bishop are expected to pick up the production and leadership. The Secondary looks very solid and is lead by Jimmie Ward, who was an a first-team All-MAC safety in 2012. should be a solid secondary. Cornerbacks Sean Evans and Marlon Moore both showed promise last year and are ready for a bigger roll this year. This is a young defense, with little game experience, but they also are filled with potential, but still I expect them to slip just a little from last years solid showing.
Northern Illinois had a great year last year and they should have another big year, but they must address 2 things: 1. They must find another playmaker or two on offense and 2. they will need their young defense to step up. Even with the potential trouble on defense, I think the Huskies have enough offensive power to sweep their MAC foes. Assuming someone steps up as a defensive leader and the Huskies remain healthy, they should make another appearance in a big bowl game. While another BCS bowl game appears out of the question for NIU, another MAC title is still in sight.
College Football Betting: UNLV Runnin Rebels
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