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FACTS & STATS: Site: Perry Stadium (23.724) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: NIU 4-1, BGSU 2-2. Away Record: NIU 2-2, BGSU 2-3. Neutral Record: NIU 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: NIU 4-1, BGSU 2-3. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 10-6.

GAME NOTES: Northern Illinois is on quite a roll, as the team attempts to move once step closer to a division title this Tuesday evening when the Huskies battle the Bowling Green Falcons at Perry Stadium.

The Huskies opened league play with a loss to Central Michigan and have not lost since, winning four consecutive games, including a crucial victory over Toledo on November 1st. It was an epic battle that NIU narrowly won in the final seconds, 63-60. Northern Illinois is now in the driver's seat in terms of the East Division at 4-1. After this contest the Huskies will host their final two games against Ball State and Eastern Michigan.

The Falcons are headed in the opposite direction, losing four of their last five games, including a 27-15 setback to Kent State in their last matchup. The Falcons have played slightly better at home, claiming two of their four wins at Perry Stadium.

The Falcons hold a 10-6 edge over NIU in the all-time series, but the Huskies have won the last two matchups, including a 16-13 decision back in 2008.

Bernard Pierce from Temple has taken the MAC by storm this season, but if there is a player that can beat him out for Player of the Year it would be NIU's Chandler Harnish.

Harnish proved his worth in the win over Toledo, as the signal caller rushed for 133 yards, but more importantly threw for 265 yards and six touchdowns. Nathan Palmer hauled in three of those touchdowns and finished with 120 yards on four receptions. Helping Harnish on the ground was Jasmin Hopkins, who finished with 72 yards and one touchdown.

The veteran gunslinger has been the heart and soul for this offense and comes into this matchup with 18 touchdowns against four interceptions. To go along with his 1,962 passing yards, the quarterback is also leading the team with 871 rushing yards and has found the end zone eight more times. Hopkins has scored 12 times on the ground and is trailing Harnish with 660 rushing yards.

The offense scored 63 points against Toledo, and needed all of those points to get past Toledo, which destroyed NIU's defense. The defense was unable to stop Toledo's passing or rushing attack. The Rockets torched this defense for over 300 yards through the air and added five passing touchdowns. On the ground the Huskies were also at a loss, surrendering 265 yards and three more scores.

If the Huskies are going to fall it will be because of the defense, which has been pitiful all year, allowing 35.6 ppg. Opponents are gashing Northern Illinois for 202.2 ypg and 19 touchdowns, and have also torched the Huskies for 22 scores through the air.

There is not much positive that could be said about this unit, but there are some individuals who have played well, in particular Pat Schiller and Jimmie Ward. Schiller and Ward have collected 80 and 72 tackles, respectively.

The Falcons' offensive numbers on the season are respectable, but the team has been inconsistent. Bowling Green, which is scoring 26.0 ppg, is led by quarterback Matt Schilz.

Schilz has thrown for 2,301 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season, and his favorite targets have been Kamar Jorden and Eugene Cooper. The two receivers have combined for 109 receptions, 1,404 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Leading the charge on the ground has been Anthon Samuel, who comes into this matchup with 704 yards and four touchdowns on 6.0 yards per attempt.

Samuel missed the last game with a head injury and his absence was noticeable, as the Falcons finished with just 45 rushing yards in a loss to Kent State. Schilz tried to carry the load, and even though he threw for 400 yards, it was not enough. Half of that yardage went to Jorden, who finished with one touchdown and 203 yards on 12 receptions.

The Falcons only scored 15 points in that matchup, but Samuel is probable for this contest, so expect Bowling Green to have a much better showing.

The offense has to perform at a higher level because the defense has been battered by opposing teams' rushing attacks. Coming into this game the Falcons are being gashed for 190.8 yards per game and have surrendered 18 touchdowns via the run.

Bowling Green's woes against the run continued against Kent State, which is a team that generally struggles with the run. Nonetheless the Golden Flashes rushed for 140 yards and one touchdown.

There is one player that is leaving it all on the field and it is Dwayne Wood, who is pacing the squad with 75 tackles and 11.5 TFLs.

Having Samuel suit up is certainly a good thing for the Falcons, who should be able to find the end zone consistently. However, stopping Harnish and the Huskies from doing the same is a whole different story.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northern Illinois 45, Bowling Green 35