Going back to last year, Northwestern has lost eight straight. Their top running back Venric Mark transferred. Christian Jones, the most sure-handed receiver, was lost for the season because of a knee injury. Fast forward to this past Saturday, when the Wildcats lost to a Cal team that went 0-11 against FBS opponents in 2013.

NIU did what they are supposed to do in their tune-up game posting 635 yards of offense and allowing just 127

Matt McIntosh as his starting quarterback, and he will get his first test as the true starter when the Huskies take on Northwestern. McIntosh went 10-for-14 for 87 yards and a touchdown as the starter and NIU rolled to a 55-3 win over Presbyterian in the season opener.

NIU has enjoyed plenty of success of late to Big 10. After holding off a late surge and pulling out a 30-27 season-opening win over Iowa last year, the Huskies hit the road and took out Purdue, 55-24, later in the season. NIU is now 4-3 straight up against schools out of the Big Ten in the past seven years.