Northern Illinois Football: Can Huskies return to MAC contention in 2021?

How will Northern Illinois football fare in 2021?

Northern Illinois has a challenging schedule ahead of it in 2021.

It will be hard to find opportunities, especially with a young team, but NIU could be a team that is much better at the end of the season than at the beginning.

These predictions do not take into consideration anything that can affect the outcome of the game, like injuries or suspensions, so keep that in mind if you revisit these at the season’s end.

• Game 1: at Georgia Tech (L) — NIU starts the season on the road against a Georgia Tech team that is looking to show signs of life in 2021, which is bad news for the Huskies.
• Game 2: Wyoming (L) — This is a game against one of the top teams in the MWC and will be tough, even at home.
• Game 3: at Michigan (L)- This is a game that will probably not be close.
• Game 4: Maine (W) — This is the easiest game on the schedule for the Huskies and a must-win for Hammock.
• Game 5: Eastern Michigan (W) — Eastern Michigan is one of the tougher teams in the MAC, I think this is a toss-up game and I will give the edge to NIU since it’s at home.
• Game 6: at Toledo (L) — Toledo is a tough place to play and I can’t see the Huskies stealing one on the road.
• Game 7: Bowling Green (W) — Bowling Green is one of the worst teams in the country and this should be a win for NIU.
• Game 8: at Central Michigan (L) — Another road loss to a tough opponent in the MAC.
• Game 9: at Kent State: (L) — Dustin Crum is the best quarterback in the conference and that will be the difference in this one.
• Game 10: Ball State (L) — I think the Cardinals are the league favorite and will be tough to beat for NIU.
• Game 11: at Buffalo (L) — Alongside Ball State, Buffalo is the favorite in the MAC and I can’t see NIU winning on the road vs the Bulls.
• Game 12: Western Michigan (L) — This is a game the Huskies could win, but I will give the edge to the Broncos at home.

Final Record: 3-9, 2-6 MAC

This is a record that is likely to be unacceptable to NIU fans, but it is tough to see where the team will get wins. Games against Georgia Tech and Michigan are going to be nearly impossible, they also face the top teams in the MAC, and frequently on the road. This is a young team with a tough schedule and that is a tough combination.