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MiamiHuskie Offline
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Orlando Sentinel #87
The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings
05-30-2017 07:43 AM
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NIUfilmmaker Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 07:43 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings


Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.
05-30-2017 11:12 AM
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 11:12 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 07:43 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings


Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.

Not with how we perform in the bowl games.
05-30-2017 11:28 AM
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 11:28 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:12 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 07:43 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings


Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.

Not with how we perform in the bowl games.

Can you please list the results of every Non-WMU MAC bowl game last year for me? No cheating.
05-30-2017 11:34 AM
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Dog Fan Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 11:34 AM)7 Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:28 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:12 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 07:43 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings


Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.

Not with how we perform in the bowl games.

Can you please list the results of every Non-WMU MAC bowl game last year for me? No cheating.

Gee! Wow!!! Maybe we ARE one of the "P5 (sic) darlings"!!! We didn't play and didn't lose! LOL
05-30-2017 11:40 AM
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MiamiHuskie Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
Here are the teams below us. (6 MAC)

No. 88 Georgia Southern
No. 89 Marshall
No. 90 Eastern Michigan
No. 91 FIU
No. 92 Virginia
No. 93 Rutgers
No. 94 Colorado State
No. 95 Central Michigan
No. 96 Hawaii
No. 97 SMU
No. 98 Air Force
No. 99 ULM
No. 100 North Texas
No. 101 Ohio
No. 102 East Carolina
No. 103 San José State
No. 104 Bowling Green
No. 105 South Alabama
No. 106 FAU
No, 107 Tulane
No. 108 Louisiana
No. 109 Iowa State
No. 110 Rice
No. 111 Temple
No. 112 Idaho
No. 113 UNLV
No. 114 UTEP
No. 115 Coastal Carolina
No. 116 Akron
No. 117 Utah State
No. 118 Cincinnati
No. 119 Kansas
No. 120 Illinois
No. 121 UConn
122: Kent State
123: Fresno State
124: Georgia State
125: UMass
126: Charlotte
127: New Mexico State
128: Buffalo
129: Texas State
130: UAB
05-30-2017 03:20 PM
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huskie1stdown Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
3 spots ahead of EMU!!
05-30-2017 03:29 PM
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huskie1stdown Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
8 teams from the MAC - 87-130.
A strong and balanced Conference.
We must be a top 5 Conference. Every night you are in a dog fight.
05-30-2017 03:32 PM
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MiamiHuskie Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 03:29 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  3 spots ahead of EMU!!

33 ahead of Illinois!
05-30-2017 07:09 PM
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NIU1981 Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
Man have Utah State, UConn, Cincinnati and Fresno State fallen. Marshall too.

They have us behind Toledo, Western Michigan, Ball State and Miami.
(This post was last modified: 05-30-2017 10:34 PM by NIU1981.)
05-30-2017 09:50 PM
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 11:40 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:34 AM)7 Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:28 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:12 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 07:43 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  The Northern Illinois Huskies are No. 87 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. The traditionally strong Huskies are working to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.

Today at No. 87: Northern Illinois

Coach: Rod Carey (36-19, entering sixth season; 36-19 overall)

2016 record: 5-7, 5-3 in Mid-American Conference, third in West Division

Look back: Injuries and inconsistent play threw the Northern Illinois team for a loop last season, with the Huskies failing to qualify for a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the team bounced back to win five of its next eight games. However, only one of those wins were against a team with a winning record.

Offensive starters returning: 5

Offensive starters lost: 6

Defensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters lost: 4

Key losses: QB Anthony Maddie, RB Joel Bouagnon, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Aregeros Turner, OL Josh Ruka, OL Levon Myers, LB Jamaal Payton, LB Sean Folliard

Top returnees: RB Jordan Huff, OL Max Scharping, DB Shawun Lurry, DL Josh Corcoran, DB Mayomi Olootu, Jr.

Strengths: Injuries forced Northern Illinois to start three different players at quarterback, including Ryan Graham, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie. Graham and sophomore Daniel Santacaterina along with redshirt freshman Marcus Childers will battle for the starting job in the fall. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch joins Carey’s staff this offseason and his experience will be important.

Northern Illinois finished with the best overall rushing offense in the MAC despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Joel Bouagnon led the team for the second consecutive season, while junior Jordan Huff provided the team with a change of pace in the backfield.

The secondary was a bright spot on the defense after registering 14 interceptions in 2016. CB Shawun Lurry (11 pass breakups) and CB Mayomi Olootu Jr. led the team with three interceptions apiece and their presence will be huge in 2017.

Weaknesses: Northern Illinois led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (8.0) in part because of a strong offensive line that featured two all-conference selections in OL Levon Myers and OL Max Scharping. Myers is gone, along with OL Josh Ruka. They accounted for more than 40 career starts and leave the left side of the line with serious concerns moving forward.

Huskies will have to do without the help of two of their top three receivers from last season in Kenny Golladay and Aregeros Turner, who were both All-MAC selections. Golladay led the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (8), while Turner was one of the top return men in the league.

The defense was below average last season, allowing more than 30 points and 450 yards per game. Making matters worse, four of the front six players on the unit are gone, with just DE Josh Corcoran (3 sacks) and DT William Lee (18 tackles) left anchoring the group.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois program has been the gold standard in the Mid-American Conference for almost a decade but that mantle appears to have shifted to Western Michigan. In order to bounce back, the Huskies need to avoid an injury bug that’s plagued them at quarterback over the past few seasons while developing a defense that can stop opponents.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 1 Boston College

Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois

Sept. 16 at Nebraska

Sept. 30 at San Diego State

Oct. 7 Kent State

Oct. 14 at Buffalo

Oct. 21 at Bowling Green

Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan

Nov. 2 at Toledo

Nov. 9 Ball State

Nov. 15 Western Michigan

Nov. 24 at Central Michigan

Matt Murschel, mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Previous Rankings


Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.

Not with how we perform in the bowl games.

Can you please list the results of every Non-WMU MAC bowl game last year for me? No cheating.

Gee! Wow!!! Maybe we ARE one of the "P5 (sic) darlings"!!! We didn't play and didn't lose! LOL

Nobody cares about bowl games, including you except for when you use it as a reason to make yourself mad.
05-30-2017 10:57 PM
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Dtownboys Offline
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Post: #12
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
Good news is we rank ahead of 5 teams that we play. Those are must win games plus our FCS game. Would be nice to "steal" a couple more wins and make it a bounce back year. Positive thinking at least.
05-31-2017 12:30 AM
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Rabid Squirrel Offline
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-31-2017 12:30 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  Good news is we rank ahead of 5 teams that we play. Those are must win games plus our FCS game. Would be nice to "steal" a couple more wins and make it a bounce back year. Positive thinking at least.

The schedule sets up to be 6-3 or 5-4 with 3 swing games in BC, WMU, CMU. Those 3 games should determine a good year from a so-so one. Central and Western are the last games of the season, so the season opener vs BC is a really big table setter(with hopefully the biggest home crowd in years). Drop that one and you somehow have to steal a game from SDST.
05-31-2017 06:51 AM
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RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-31-2017 06:51 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  
(05-31-2017 12:30 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  Good news is we rank ahead of 5 teams that we play. Those are must win games plus our FCS game. Would be nice to "steal" a couple more wins and make it a bounce back year. Positive thinking at least.

The schedule sets up to be 6-3 or 5-4 with 3 swing games in BC, WMU, CMU. Those 3 games should determine a good year from a so-so one. Central and Western are the last games of the season, so the season opener vs BC is a really big table setter(with hopefully the biggest home crowd in years). Drop that one and you somehow have to steal a game from SDST.

I think that WMU is going to fall big time. They had their and now that PJ is gone it'll be tough to maintain that momentum, especially losing their QB and RB.

We went 12-0 the year after the Orange Bowl, only to wet the bed in the MAAC.
05-31-2017 06:54 AM
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Post: #15
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-30-2017 10:57 PM)7 Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:40 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:34 AM)7 Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:28 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-30-2017 11:12 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Thanks for posting MiamiHuskie. We need a bowl bid this season to remind the media we're still one of the P5 darlings. Fingers crossed.

Not with how we perform in the bowl games.

Can you please list the results of every Non-WMU MAC bowl game last year for me? No cheating.

Gee! Wow!!! Maybe we ARE one of the "P5 (sic) darlings"!!! We didn't play and didn't lose! LOL

Nobody cares about bowl games, including you except for when you use it as a reason to make yourself mad.

I love bowl games. I live for bowl games. Because NIU was not in a bowl last year, I had a difficult time staying alive.
05-31-2017 07:44 AM
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Rabid Squirrel Offline
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Post: #16
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-31-2017 06:54 AM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  
(05-31-2017 06:51 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  
(05-31-2017 12:30 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  Good news is we rank ahead of 5 teams that we play. Those are must win games plus our FCS game. Would be nice to "steal" a couple more wins and make it a bounce back year. Positive thinking at least.

The schedule sets up to be 6-3 or 5-4 with 3 swing games in BC, WMU, CMU. Those 3 games should determine a good year from a so-so one. Central and Western are the last games of the season, so the season opener vs BC is a really big table setter(with hopefully the biggest home crowd in years). Drop that one and you somehow have to steal a game from SDST.

I think that WMU is going to fall big time. They had their and now that PJ is gone it'll be tough to maintain that momentum, especially losing their QB and RB.

We went 12-0 the year after the Orange Bowl, only to wet the bed in the MAAC.

We had the benefit of returning the most productive player in our conference's history in Lynch. With a slightly easier schedule, I see WMU at 8-4 while NIU is 7-5. Those records could flip-flop depending on who wins the head to head contest. The Broncos situation is very similar to ours. Good defense. Really good offense of line and running back's. And no Idea who can throw the ball or catch it.

Unless Logan Woodside goes down, NIU and WMU are playing for second. When it's not your year you have to root for some Mac team to go undefeated and get that undeserved, hand-out New Years bowl game for our money grab. Toledo is set up for that with just the hurricanes in the way.
05-31-2017 07:45 AM
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Post: #17
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
Toledo hasn't been to Detroit in what, 13 years? They barely beat NIU's worst team in a decade with Ryan Graham playing QB. I'll believe it when I see it.
05-31-2017 08:27 AM
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Post: #18
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-31-2017 08:27 AM)7 Wrote:  Toledo hasn't been to Detroit in what, 13 years? They barely beat NIU's worst team in a decade with Ryan Graham playing QB. I'll believe it when I see it.

I can't explain last year's game being that close. Rivalry? Weird game location? But really, this year it just comes down to best QB. Put woodside on NIU and Graham on Toledo, and NIU would be my odds on favorite. Same for WMU. For years Toledo has been a victim of average QB play and NIU dominance. The one year NIU slipped, WMU had an anomaly of a season. Now both those teams have fallen back to, and a tad below the rockets. Just for this year, it has played out perfectly for Toledo.
05-31-2017 08:50 AM
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Post: #19
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
Actually, I do remember why that Toledo game was close. Graham was nearly perfect in the first half. It's the best two quarters that kid has played. But what will stick out in that game is the under throw of Blake in the closing minutes. And that's Graham in a nutshell.
05-31-2017 08:54 AM
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Post: #20
RE: Orlando Sentinel #87
(05-31-2017 08:54 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Actually, I do remember why that Toledo game was close. Graham was nearly perfect in the first half. It's the best two quarters that kid has played. But what will stick out in that game is the under throw of Blake in the closing minutes. And that's Graham in a nutshell.

Folliard whiffing on a tackle on third down before Toledo's GW TD
05-31-2017 08:59 AM
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