Football’s 2014 season schedule presents some challenges, but it’s very favorable in terms of making a return trip to Detroit for the MAC Championship game.

For the second year in a row, Huskie Stadium will play host to only five teams, while the Huskies hit the road seven times.

The Huskies’ 12 opponents went a combined 55-91 (.377) last season, with only one team winning more than seven games.

NIU opens the season Thursday, Aug. 28 with a home contest against the Presbyterian Blue Hose (3-8), an FCS team from the Big South Conference. It struggled last season with FCS Eastern Illinois, but they were led by Jimmy Garoppolo, who will be drafted this May in the NFL draft; this one should be a cakewalk.

The Huskies will then be tested when they hit the road for three Saturday games: Sept. 6 in Evanston vs. the Northwestern Wildcats (5-7), Sept. 13 in Las Vegas vs. the UNLV Rebels (7-6) and Sept. 20 in Fayetteville, Ark., vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-9). While each game will present a unique challenge, they all appear to be winnable should the Huskies keep their composure on the road — easier said than done.

NIU will then enjoy a much-needed off week prior to opening conference play.

NIU kicks off Mid-American Conference play with three consecutive Saturday home games: Oct. 4 vs. the Kent State Golden Flashes (4-8), Oct. 11 vs. the Central Michigan Chippewas (6-6) and Oct. 18 vs. the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (0-12). The Huskies could easily race out to a 3-0 mark in conference play before they close out their regular season with four of their final five games on the road.

They play their final Saturday game Oct. 25 in Ypsilanti, Mich., vs. the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-10). With the Eagles in rebuilding mode, the Huskies could guarantee a .500 MAC record at worst with their fourth conference win in as many tries.

The month of November kicks off with three straight mid-week games: 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in Muncie, Ind., against the Ball State Cardinals (10-3), 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Huskie Stadium vs. the Toledo Rockets (7-5) and 7 p.m. Nov. 18 in Athens, Ohio, vs. the Ohio Bobcats (7-6).

Ball State lost quarterback Keith Wenning and wide receiver Willie Snead to graduation, and Ohio will be no longer have the services of quarterback Tyler Tettleton. The Huskies’ chances of making it back to the MAC Championship game could very well hinge on beating Toledo in their home finale.

NIU closes out the regular season Nov. 28 in Kalamazoo, Mich., against the Western Michigan Broncos (1-11). With the MAC Championship game looming Dec. 5, the Huskies can’t afford to look forward if they should be in position to make it to Detroit because the Broncos could easily play spoiler at home.

The Huskies avoid Bowling Green, the reigning MAC champions, during the regular season; however, they could realistically meet up in the MAC Championship game for the second year in a row.

There will be much more on the line in the College Football Playoff era, as the highest-ranked champion from the “Group of Five” (American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt) will automatically guarantee itself a spot in one of the six CFP bowls.