2015-16 Football Previews – (MAC) – Huskies
Northern Illinois has built its program to become the model of consistency in the MAC. The Huskies have won four conference titles in the past five years and have won the MAC West division crown six seasons in a row.
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Northern Illinois
Head Coach: Rod Carey
2014 Record: 11-3
Northern Illinois Odds to win 2015 MAC Championship: +300
Odds from Bovada to win BCS: Bet The Field
This year, the Huskies have some creative challenges with the loss of so many playmakers. Pro QBs like Chandler Harnish and Jordan Lynch are no longer with the program, and NIU must also replace RBs Cameron Stingily and Akeem Daniels. Yet, despite inevitable roster turnover and several coaching changes, this team keeps ticking along on both sides of the ball.
This year, the Huskies have some creative challenges with the loss of so many playmakers. Pro QBs like Chandler Harnish and Jordan Lynch are no longer with the program, and NIU must also replace RBs Cameron Stingily and Akeem Daniels. Yet, despite inevitable roster turnover and several coaching changes, this team keeps ticking along on both sides of the ball.
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Thanks to building up depth enviable of most MAC programs, Northern Illinois has players to plug in spots that should be functional at worst and and best, highly productive. It helps that the Huskies feature an offensive line with a couple of conference stars.
Things look good as usual for Northern Illinois, even if it will be slugging it out with Toledo in the MAC West. Let’s check out the strengths and weaknesses of the 2015 Northern Illinois Huskies.
Team Strengths:
The new starters at the skill positions will be in good shape thanks to senior C Andrew Ness and OG Aidan Conlon, who should nurse along the three new starters on the line. Junior QB Drew Hare did a great job last year, and though he might not have the skill set of Harnish or Lynch, he can get the job done with his arm.
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The offense should uncharacteristically rely on more passing thanks to all the experience returning at wideout. Senior Tommylee Lewis is back after missing most of 2014 with injuries, though he had 86 receptions in 2013. His running mate Juwan Brescacin can stretch the defense and they’ll join possession receiver Chad Beebe and transfer Kenny Golladay.
Northern Illinois’ defense will be led by DE Perez Ford, who led the team last year with five sacks and is a disruptive force. He’s undersized, but his speed and explosiveness puts him in a Dwight Freeney-type mold.
The secondary is also in good shape, with three returning starters led by CB Paris Logan and safety Marlon Moore.
Team Weaknesses:
Northern Illinois will use a RB-by-committee approach, and even with multiple options it’ll be tough to replace the production of Stingily and Daniels. Hare actually is leading returning rusher with 900 yards. Juniors Joel Bouganon and Keith Harris will try and fill the void.
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The Huskies’ special teams unit could use a facelift; the return game was only average and there are still some questions marks around sophomore K Christian Hagan and freshman P Peter Deppe.
Senior LB Boomer Mays is a keeper, but after him there are some concerns in the linebacking corps. Junior Sean Folliard needs to step up as a complementary piece.
2015-16 Northern Illinois Huskies Prediction: 8-4
The Huskies again have an impressive cast of players and should, predictably, contend in the conference in 2015. Toledo rolls out an excellent squad this year, and I see them as the one roadblock to NIU’s seventh consecutive West division title.
Northern Illinois also draws road games at Ohio State and Boston College in September, which won’t be a picnic, to say the least. Expecting NIU to drop two conference games along the way is reasonable.
2015 Huskies Schedule (All times EST)
9/5/15 7:30 PM UNLV
9/12/15 3:30 PM MURR. ST.
9/19/15 3:30 PM @OSU
9/26/15 TBD @BC
10/3/15 2:00 PM @CMU
10/10/15 TBD BALL ST.
10/17/15 2:30 PM @MIA (OH)
10/24/15 TBD EMU
11/3/15 8:00 PM @TOL
11/11/15 8:00 PM @BUF
11/18/15 8:00 PM WMU
11/24/15 7:30 PM OHIO
12/4/15 TBD MAC CHAMP. (in Detroit, MI)
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