Football has gotten off to its best start since 2003, when it stated the season 7-0. This season the Huskies are 5-0.

The team went undefeated in its non-conference schedule and started MAC play with a 38-24 victory over Kent State. With seven conference games remaining, can the Huskies run the table and end the season undefeated? Football writers Brian Earle and Frank Gogola debate whether the Huskies can pull it off.

Brian Earle: While running the table in the MAC conference is no easy feat, I believe the Huskies have what it takes to pull it off for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is the schedule they face. After taking down Kent State last week, I don’t see the Huskies being tested again until Nov. 13 against Ball State. The Cardinals have gone 5-1 on the season, taking down two MAC teams in Eastern Michigan and Toledo. They also earned an impressive 48-27 victory over Virginia last weekend.

Frank Gogola: Yes, Ball State has had some impressive victories, but its one loss this season came at the hands of North Texas. The Mean Green have a 2-3 record with their only other victory coming against the lowly Idaho Vandals; however, the Cardinals have the 12th-best passing attack in the nation led by quarterback Keith Wenning. The Huskies’ defense has been prone to giving up big plays in the passing game. If their defense gets burned with big plays and is not able to generate turnovers like they have so far, their undefeated season will go up in flames.

BE: Despite Ball State having the 12th-best passing attack, I like the Huskies’ secondary’s ability to force turnovers. Even though NIU is last in the MAC in pass defense, it leads the MAC in interceptions with nine. The Huskies’ defense always seems to come up clutch in big moments. Seniors Jimmie Ward and Dechane Durante have been ball hawks for the Huskies as they have four and three interceptions on the year, respectively.

FG: Interceptions are always great, but the Huskies can’t rely on the fact that they will force multiple turnovers which the offense can turn into points. If the Huskies do escape unscathed in conference play from the home game against Ball State with their home and conference winning streaks still intact, they will then put their road winning streak on the line when they travel to Toledo the following week. The Rockets (3-3, 2-1 MAC) sit at .500, but their two non-conference losses came against then-No. 10 Florida and Missouri, both SEC teams, and their only conference loss came on the road at Ball State, 31-24.

BE: Toledo will be a good test for the Huskies, especially on the road, and the Huskies know that. The Huskies know how hard it is to go into a MAC stadium and come out with a victory. But this season, the Huskies’ offense appears unstoppable. Senior quarterback Jordan Lynch has looked great throwing the football as well as running the ball, leading the MAC in total touchdowns with 15. Junior Cameron Stingily has brought another element to this Huskie offense. With his downhill running style, he is a force that has totaled 576 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Stopping that duo will be no easy task for any defense.

FG: The Huskies have indeed been road warriors over the past two-plus seasons, but Toledo’s Glass Bowl is a hard place to play at, even for the top teams in the nation. While the Rockets are a mere 7-12 all-time against Top 25 teams, they are an impressive 5-1 against Top 25 teams at the Glass Bowl. Their most recent home win against a Top 25 team came against the then-No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats Oct. 20. If the Huskies do get past Ball State, Toledo will be the only remaining obstacle that possesses even a slight threat to an undefeated season. If the Huskies stumble against the Cardinals, they may find themselves on a losing streak going into the Glass Bowl with their undefeated season already by the wayside.