Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (31,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois. Television: CSN-CHI. Home Record: WMU 3-0, NIU 3-1. Away Record: WMU 1-2, NIU 0-2. Neutral Record: WMU 0-0, NIU 0-0. Conference Record: WMU 2-0, NIU 1-1. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 23-13.

GAME NOTES: Western Michigan will try to remain flawless in league play when the Broncos take on the Northern Illinois Huskies in a Mid-American Conference clash at Huskie Stadium.

The Broncos' only two losses this year have come against Big Ten competition, as they were defeated by Michigan (34-10) and Illinois (23-20). Since the loss to the Fighting Illini, the Broncos have won back-to-back games, claiming wins over Connecticut and Bowling Green. The win over the Falcons (45-21) came this past weekend and gave the Broncos a 2-0 start to conference action.

As for the Huskies, they are coming off their first league win, as they defeated Kent State, 40-10. The win was the third on the year for Northern Illinois, which has played much better in front of a home crowd.

The Broncos might own a 23-13 edge over Northern Illinois in the all-time series, but the Huskies have won the last two matchups, including a thrilling, 28-21 decision last year on the road.

After a slow start to the season, QB Alex Carder has really picked up his play and comes into this weekend with 15 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Carder has completed 69.7 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,678 yards.

Carder has built a special relationship with Jordan White, as the receiver is leading the team with 67 receptions, 824 yards and seven touchdowns. On top of the impressive passing attack, the Broncos also have a solid ground game, which is averaging 132.2 ypg.

There is not one main option out of the backfield, but right now the best player has been Tevin Drake, who is leading the team with 311 yards on 6.2 yards per attempt. A good portion of those yards came this past weekend, as the elusive tailback rumbled for 112 yards and one score in the team's win over Bowling Green.

Carder added 95 rushing yards and one touchdown to go along with his three scores and 212 yards through the air. Once again White played a vital role, as the wideout hauled in two of those touchdown passes and finished with 156 yards on 12 receptions.

The success of the WMU offense has masked the play of the defense up to this point, but eventually this unit will have to tighten up, or else Western Michigan will be at a disadvantage against the tougher teams in the conference.

In the win over Bowling Green, the Broncos were torched for 263 yards and one score through the air. The team has been solid for the most part in that area, limiting teams to under 200.0 ypg.

What has hurt this unit has been its inability to stop the run, as the Broncos come into this weekend allowing 171.2 ypg on 5.1 yards per carry. In the win over BGSU, the defense surrendered two rushing touchdowns, but held the Falcons to just 118 rushing yards.

Doug Wiggins led the way in the win with nine tackles, while the team's leader in that category, Mitch Zajac (46) added seven stops.

The success of NIU's offense relies heavily on the play of quarterback Chandler Harnish. The signal caller for the Huskies has thrown for 1,344 yards and 12 touchdowns, but more importantly the quarterback is second on the team with 442 rushing yards. Harnish, who trails Jasmin Hopkins and his 449 yards, is pacing the squad with seven rushing touchdowns as well.

Northern Illinois, which is averaging 123.7 ypg on the ground, continued its success in that area in the team's win over Kent State, as the Huskies rushed for 209 yards and two scores. One of those touchdowns came from Harnish, who finished with 65 yards on 11 carries. Harnish also threw a touchdown in the game and finished with 113 yards on 12-of-15 passing.

Clearly this offense will go as far as Harnish can take it and right now he is carrying the unit on his back.

The success of the offense has been the downfall of the defense, as the Huskies are being pulverized for 216.0 yards per game on the ground. On top of that the defense has had its issues against the pass as well, surrendering 12 TDs through the air.

However, the unit improved against Kent State. The Golden Flashes are one of the worst offensive teams in the nation and the Huskies had little trouble shutting them down this past weekend.

NIU, which surrendered 40 or more points in three of its last four games, held the Flashes to just 10 points and more importantly the unit shut down the run. NIU allowed only one yard on 38 carries. The Huskies also forced three turnovers and grabbed eight sacks in the win.

Ron Newcomb had himself a day, racking up nine tackles, to go along with 4.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. However, the leader of this group has been Pat Schiller, who comes into this weekend with 48 stops.

The Huskies will have a much tougher time this weekend against a Western Michigan squad that is much better than Kent State. Northern Illinois has a talented quarterback in Harnish, but the Broncos also have a big time signal caller and a few other key players, giving them an advantage. It won't be easy, but look for Western Michigan to remain undefeated in league action.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 37, Northern Illinois 31