After sitting just outside the BCS rankings the last couple of weeks, NIU football made the jump to No. 21 in a Sunday poll.

This is the first time the Huskies (11-1) have entered the BCS rankings since 2003, when they were ranked as high as No. 10.

The Huskies also moved up in the Associated Press Top-25 poll, jumping from No. 24 to No. 19. In the USA Today poll the Huskies found themselves at No. 18; they were at No. 23 last week.

NIU is not the only MAC school that has burst onto the scene in the BCS. The Kent State Golden Flashes were ranked No. 23 last week and moved up to No. 17 this week.

They are ahead of the Huskies in The Associated Press Top-25 poll at No. 18, although Kent State trails the Huskies in the USA Today poll at No. 19.

All of this sets up the Huskies and Golden Flashes matchup in the MAC Championship on Friday, as the winner, with a little help from other teams, could possibly move on to play in a BCS bowl.