Oct. 02--Internet/radio: 2 p.m. Saturday; ESPN3.com, WIND-AM 560, WLBK-AM 1360.
Line: NIU by 3.
Records: Central Michigan 1-3, 0-0 MAC; Northern Illinois 2-2, 0-0.
Last meeting: Central Michigan won 34-17 on Oct. 11, 2014, in DeKalb, Ill.
On the offensive: The NIU offense has just two touchdowns in the last two games. One was a 2-yard plunge last week at Boston College by RB Joel Bouagnon, whose six rushing TDs is tied for 11th nationally.
Getting defensive: Chippewas QB Cooper Rush is 12th nationally with 317 passing yards per game. The Huskies have eight interceptions, four by CB Shawun Lurry.
The number: 50. Previous meetings in a series that dates to 1939, the most for the Huskies against an FBS team. Central Michigan leads 26-23-1.
The talk: After close losses to No. 1 Ohio State and Boston College, the Huskies need to reignite a sluggish offense to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 2009.
Jack McCarthy's pick: The Huskies will get revenge for last year's loss that snapped a 28-game home winning streak. Northern Illinois 28, Central Michigan 14.
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