The Huskies will be looking to have the same success they have enjoyed in the past five years in 2015. They will once again be relying on quarterback Drew Hare to lead them in this upcoming season. Hare had a great sophomore season last year when he threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has the chance to improve on these numbers and show he is one of the best mid-major QBs in the nation but he will not have the certified help he had last year. The offensive line has lost three key starters and will have to trust the next guys up to protect Hare. NIU had the fifth most rushing attempts in the FBS last year and that number might go up if the offensive line underperforms.
While many expect the Huskies to run over the MAC, that will not be the case. They have a much tougher schedule this year than last. The Huskies do not have a pushover non-conference schedule this season. They first start off with the likes of UNLV and Murray State at home and then make the daunting trip to Columbus, Ohio to face the defending champion Buckeyes. While the Huskies will be heavy underdogs in this game, they have a chance to pull off the shocker of the season if they catch Ohio State sleeping.
MAC play is not an easy road either as they face the likes of Toldeo, Ohio, Western Michigan all in the last weeks of the season. If NIU wants to make a decent bowl, then they should strive to for at least 11 wins this season. But they will have to win the MAC championship game as well. This game has been NIU's killer, as well as a blessing, over the past few years. But Rod Carey's team has to win the MAC if they want to make a major bowl and take steps to becoming a even stronger program in the future.