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FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (24,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: BSU 3-1, NIU 4-1. Away Record: BSU 2-3, NIU 3-2. Neutral Record: BSU 1-0, NIU 0-0. Conference Record: BSU 4-2, NIU 5-1. Series Record: Ball State leads, 20-16-2.

GAME NOTES: A key Mid-American Conference West Division matchup takes place in DeKalb on Tuesday night, as the Ball State Cardinals pay a visit to the Huskies of Northern Illinois.

Ball State squeaked out a victory over Eastern Michigan last week by beating the Eagles, 33-31, for just its second road victory of the season. A 44-yard field goal by Steven Schott with seconds left on the clock delivered the victory for the Cardinals, and kept the squad in contention in the MAC West. The Cardinals control their own destiny as they face the two teams ahead of them in the West Division, Northern Illinois and Toledo. Wins in both games would give the Cardinals the tie-breaker and a spot in the MAC Championship Game.

Northern Illinois dominated Bowling Green last week, taking a 45-14 decision to claim its fifth straight victory. The Huskies, like their opponent here, control their own destiny in the MAC West. If NIU wins out it will reach the league's title tilt for the second year in a row as it would hold the tie- breaker over both Toledo and Ball State.

These two programs are meeting for the 15th consecutive year as they have squared off every season since Northern Illinois rejoined the MAC in 1997. A year ago in Muncie, the Huskies dominated the Cardinals to the tune of a 59-21 final behind a 247-yard passing performance from Chandler Harnish.

Ball State's offense averages 23.8 points per contest, and is run by quarterback Keith Wenning. The sophomore has thrown for 2,233 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Wenning has completed 20 or more passes in four consecutive games. Briggs Orsbon has become his favorite target in recent weeks. Orsbon had a break-out performance against Western Michigan with 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches, and followed that with a seven-reception performance last week. Wenning has had plenty of time to throw this year due to exceptional play from the offensive line. The Cardinals are ranked 12th in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up less than one per game.

Jahwan Edwards leads the rushing attack for the Cardinals with 681 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Edwards has scored a touchdown in four consecutive games.

Ball State's defense is ranked 118th in the nation as it allows an average of 490.7 yards per game. Opposing offenses have put up an average of 33 points per game against the Cardinals. Ball State has held its opponent under 400 yards of total offense just twice this season. Travis Freeman leads the team with 101 tackles, and Aaron Morris is close behind with 94.

The Northern Illinois offense, ranked 11th in the nation, rolled up 623 yards last week, and is likely chomping at the bit to face the weak Ball State defensive unit. Chandler Harnish is ranked ninth in the nation in total offense, as the senior leader has already thrown for 2,256 yards and 20 touchdowns, and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground with 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns. Harnish was responsible for 445 yards of total offense and three scores in the win over Bowling Green.

Harnish has an array of weapons ay his disposal, as three of his targets have 25 or more catches on the season. Nathan Palmer leads the Huskies with 473 receiving yards on 34 grabs. Perez Ashford has 343 yards for the season, and Martel Moore ranks third with 320 yards while tying for first with four touchdowns.

Jasmin Hopkins has also hurt NIU's opponents this year as the team's second- leading rusher behind Harnish. Hopkins has 719 yards on the ground and has crossed the goal line 14 times.

The Northern Illinois defense has struggled this season as it is ranked 99th in yards allowed per game, and 100th in points permitted. The Huskies had one of their better defensive showings last week against Bowling Green as they allowed 334 yards of total offense, but gave up 589 yards and 60 points the week before to Toledo in a high-scoring thriller. Pat Schiller leads the unit with 86 tackles, and the Huskies are averaging just under two sacks per game as a team.

The whole season is on the line for both teams heading into this conference bout. Both offenses should continue to flourish in what will be an action- packed battle. Harnish has been on fire lately and should continue that trend. Ball State will need to slow down the senior quarterback if it is to have any chance at taking over the top spot in the division.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northern Illinois 45, Ball State 31