While NIU football has posted seven straight wins on the season, it will enter unfriendly territory in Kalamazoo, where it has lost 13 of 19 games.

The Huskies (7-1, 4-0 MAC) will square off against the Western Michigan Broncos (3-5, 1-3 MAC) for the 38th time overall, in which the Broncos hold a 23-14 edge.

“I’m looking forward to this game,” said coach Dave Doeren in a news conference. “Our third road game in four weeks, so that stretch has been challenging. I think you’ve got to play well in October to be real in November. This is a game that we know we play a good team.”

Western Michigan is coming off a 41-24 loss to Kent State in which its junior quarterback, Tyler Van Tubbergen, threw three interceptions. Despite that, the Broncos’ coach, Bill Cubit, is worried about his team’s ability on the ground against NIU.

“Up front, we have to be able to run the ball,” Cubit said in a news conference. “Our running backs are going to have to get us in management situations. If we can’t run the ball it’s going to be a long day, especially with what [the Huskies] do scheme-wise on third down.”

Doeren is keyed in on the Broncos’ situation and has praised their offensive line.

“They have five senior offensive linemen,” Doeren said in a news conference. “There’s not many teams that can say they have that. That’s the strength, to me, of their offense. Their quarterback situation has hindered them, even though Tyler [Van Tubbergen] is making a lot of plays. They’ve given them a chance in a lot of games to win.”

While Cubit is focused on running the ball and Doeren believes the Bronco’s line-man are difference makers, the defense of NIU is now ranked No. 5 in the nation in the red zone. NIU sophomore defensive end Jason Meehan believes that it’s a big part of the defenses identity.

“Especially for the defensive line, it’s a big point of pride and emphasis for us,” Meehan said in a news conference. “You want to be that guy to make the play for the defense so, when we get into the goal line situation, it’s really important and we are all really pumped up for it because it is what you play the game for. There is a lot of confidence when it goes there, a lot of swagger on our defense for those kinds of plays.”

While the record of Western Michigan in MAC play leaves a lot to be desired for, Doeren believes the team is playing for more than just another win.

“We know that we’ve got a tough road game ahead of us,” Doeren said in a news conference. “We also know that if we can grind our way through this and find a way to get a victory, that we do come home for two weeks in a row and get a very welcomed ten day preparation for a game, which we’re in dire need for.

“I know everybody at this point in the year that hasn’t had a bye feels like they need one. I think everyone’s depth is tested at this time in the year on the football team. It’s not just their injuries, but the mental part of the grind that takes place. I know that we’re excited to play another team as good as Western.”