Being a non P5 program NIU has to schedule what P5 programs will accept 1-1 like Utah has. Ideally for future schedules I'd like to see P5 road games vs programs that are closer to DeKalb that fans can reasonably travel to for Saturday games as I expect the MAC to continue to do NIU no favors and keep giving HUskie fans only 1 conference home weekend game every year at the most 2.

Road games at Minnesota(PJ Fleck has a big job bringing that program back) Kansas(one of the weakest P5 programs) Nebraska(NIU has 3 more to go and Frost has big job to do making them respectable) Mizzou(has a HC in his 2nd year, didn't qualify for a bowl this year) would be best. Wisky and Iowa are closer but also tougher opponents than the other 4 mentioned. NIU plays Minny, Mizzou and Nebraska on the road in a season they have a good chance to win 2 of 3 and collect 3 large checks in the process. Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska are no further distance than Buffalo, Ohio, Kent or Akron.