As the Huskies head into their homecoming matchup with Buffalo, a possible trap-game is at hand.

The Huskies (5-1, 2-0 MAC) will host their 106th annual homecoming game against the Bulls (1-4, 0-2 MAC), and Head Coach Dave Doeren has been preparing for a team that is much better than the record indicates.

“I think they are really dangerous,” Doeren said in a press conference. “I told our coaching staff, ‘Turn on the film; this is not a 1-4 football team.’ It’s just a team that for whatever reason hasn’t found a way to win. I think they are really good. I think Coach [Jeff] Quinn is a good football coach that’s recruited good players and they are tough, he’s tough.”

NIU will be challenged on the ground, as Buffalo has had a running back go for over 100 yards four times this season. In one game, two rushers went over 100 yards; in another game, junior Branden Oliver went for over 200 yards rushing.

“When you look at them as an offense, they’re averaged 225 yards per game rushing, which is second in the MAC as a rushing team,” Doeren said in a press conference. “They’ve gone over 300 yards rushing three times in the last seven games. I think that says a lot about their commitment to running the football.”

The defense still won’t get a freebie in terms of the passing game either, as last season junior receiver Alex Neutz put up over 130 yards against NIU. Neutz is the current MAC leader in touchdowns.

From Buffalo’s standpoint, Quinn has targeted NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch as the player the Bulls need to contain.

“We know this is an outstanding football team we face,” Quinn said in a press conference. “We have to stop their quarterback. Jordan Lynch is an outstanding football player. He’s primarily their offense, the leading rusher, the leading thrower. He’s the guy we have to stop, but he’s got guys around him that do a good job. We’ve got to get ourselves ready to compete at the highest level against Northern.”

While the records may reflect teams trending in two directions and NIU seems to have the upperhand, NIU junior running back Akeem Daniels believes there is more than just talent on the field.

“I think it all starts in the offseason,” Daniels said in a press conference. “We are running sprints and instead of people letting up before the line, we are actually finishing through the line. When we think we can bench press five reps we try and get six and go ahead and get that sixth rep. I think the culture is here and the players and everybody else does a good job coaching each other up and helping each other out.”