Overview
- Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.
- Books list Western Michigan between -5.5 and -6.5 with a 38.5 total, reflecting expectations for a low-scoring matchup.
- Western Michigan features a top-20 defense under first-year coordinator Chris O’Leary, with Nadame Tucker leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranking among sack leaders.
- Quarterback Broc Lowry drives the Broncos’ offense with five straight 80-plus yard rushing games in MAC play and a 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
- NIU starts Jalen Macon after a 98-yard, three-TD rushing debut in a 45-3 win at UMass, though the Huskies remain near the bottom nationally in scoring and this marks their final meeting with WMU as MAC West rivals before NIU’s move to the Mountain West.