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2009 Northern Illinois Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

niu 61609 After seven straight winning campaigns, the 2008-09 season marked the second straight season that the Huskies did not make it over the .500 mark. Can Northern Illinois get back to its winning ways in 2009 and challenge for a MAC West title in the process? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. Our readers can take advantage of a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

Offense – The Northern Illinois Huskies went bowling last season behind a redshirt freshman quarterback that led the team in both rushing and passing. And second year head man Jerry Kill expects an even better 2009 season from now sophomore QB Chandler Harnish. The dual threat Harnish, with a full season of experience running the spread under his belt, should improve on his 539 rushing and 1,528 passing yards this season. The defense definitely gets some of the credit, but the Huskies were able to average 24.2 points per game without an elite offensive player. We should see the Huskies doing even more scoring this season with talented sophomore tailback Me’co Brown taking on a larger role as well. The Huskies boasted one of the elite rushing attacks in the nation a season ago, averaging 171.2 yards per game (36th in the nation). Brown will team with Chad Span and Justin Anderson to threaten defenses with their potent ground game again. These boys will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line which features studs Jason Onyebuagu and Eddie Adamski. Coach Kill expects the line to be even better than it was in 2008 when it only allowed 17 sacks. The receiving corps is very unproven. Landon Cox, Nathan Palmer, and Marcus Lewis return to battle a group of four freshman for playing time.

Defense – This is the side of the football which came to play nearly every week last season, allowing only 18.0 points per game (14th in the nation) and 161.1 passing yards per game (5th in the country). This unit faces a steep challenge this season, however, as it must replace seven starters, most notably two-time MAC MVP Larry English. But Kill is confident that his front seven will still be able to get the job done as he feels a deep group of lineman and linebackers remain to run his 4-3 scheme. The key to the success of this defense could very well rest on the shoulders of defensive ends Brandon Rice and Jake Coffman. Rice is the top returning sack man with a 6.5-sack season in 2008 and Coffman showed his capabilities with a solid performance in the Independence Bowl. Both players will need to step up to pick up the slack for the loss of English. The safety position is a strength with David Bryant and Mike Sobol returning. These two players were the top two tacklers on the team last season. The cornerback position appears to be an area that still needs to see some players emerge. Patrick George and Kiaree Daniels are the early favorites at the corners.

Prediction: 3rd MAC West – The offense should be better as QB Chandler Harnish has a full year of experience under his belt, but I can’t help but think that losing seven starters is going to set the defense back enough to keep the Huskies from challenging for a MAC West title. Bet the MAC at BetUS and receive up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

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