For the NIU football team, the offensive side of the ball has a lot to live up to from last season.

The Huskies will feature a whole new offensive line, as well as a new man voicing the huddle in redshirt junior Jordan Lynch.

Lynch will take the reigns from Chandler Harnish. While a backup last season, Lynch saw action in all games but one, and was able to convert three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown.

From a position-by-position base, NIU will need some stand-out performances to accumulate points on the offensive end.

Offensive Line: With a whole new line, there isn’t one player to single out. The offense of any football team will live and die by the line, so NIU is in a tough situation. The line in its entirety will be put into a thrive or die situation, as they will have no choice but to get better. With this position providing the most question marks, it will be the key to watch for in every game, and Iowa will be sure to pressure them as much as possible.

Quarterback: Without a doubt, this is now Lynch’s team. Lynch filled in admirably when called upon last season, having a high completion percentage in a small sample size, going 15-20 for 166 yards. The question remaining with Lynch, aside from how will he do when he gets all the snaps, is how will he do without the line that last year’s squad featured. Once again, it all will come down to the line, as if Lynch isn’t given enough time to get a play together, there will be no definitive way to evaluate how he does.

Running backs: With the departure of Jasmin Hopkins, who led the team in rushing yards, the starting position will have to be claimed by presumably either junior Akeem Daniels or senior Jamal Womble. The more sensible choice would probably be to let Daniels get the majority of carries, as he was third on the team last season with limited touches at just 56 carries on the year. Womble profiles more as a goal-line and fourth down back, or even someone to be used against a team to wear down their defense. Either way, the spot is ripe for the picking by anyone who shines on game-day.

Wide-Receivers: At wide receiver, Lynch’s main targets will be seniors Perez Ashford and Martel Moore, who combined for 1,277 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. With the departure of Nathan Palmer, Ashford is assured more targets and is in prime position to have a breakout season with a threat on the other end of the line in Moore.

While the Huskies still sport several playmakers from last season, the point returns to the line once more. If the line can make the holes and protect the quarterback, there shouldn’t be too much to stand in the way of touchdowns. If the line can’t hold their own, NIU will miss out on its third chance at winning at Soldier Field.