This could be exactly what the doctor ordered for NIU football.

Well, not exactly the doctor, but perhaps the timing of the Huskies’ schedule.

The past two weeks have been disappointing for NIU. The Huskies suffered a down-to-the-wire loss to Kansas, which was then followed up by getting stomped by Wisconsin.

Battered and a tad bit bruised could be how the Huskies feel right now. But fear not; Cal Poly is rolling into town Saturday.

Cue the flimsy and unintimidating Hot 97 Air Horn.

No offense to the Mustangs, but Saturday could get ugly quickly.

I haven’t seen Cal Poly play a down this season, nor can I recall the last time I watched them.

However, I do know one thing: The Mustangs are a Division I Football Championship Subdivision team.

In layman’s terms please, some of you might be asking.

Cal Poly is the equivalent of a minor league baseball team in college football.

Now, they’re no scrubs, but they certainly aren’t in the same barking order of the FBS.

I’ll quit jabbing the Mustangs and get back to my point.

Look at this way: One would have to assume that NIU is pretty ticked off from its last two games.

I’m sure Huskies head coach Dave Doeren and his players have put those games in the rear-view mirror by now and are looking ahead, and that looking ahead is gazing at unloading some pent up frustration this weekend against a less talented team, which probably sounds awfully tantalizing.

Doeren and the Huskies have said they’re in no way undervaluing or underestimating Cal Poly, which is plausible.

But, if NIU truly has a “swagger” (I’ve heard it mentioned by a few players), then there’s no reason to believe it won’t get its “freak on” against the Mustangs.

Let’s turn back the clock to a year ago: The Huskies were sitting in this same exact position with a record of 1-2 overall.

And, if your memory has some cobwebs, I’ll brush them off with reminding you that the Huskies rolled off nine consecutive victories on their way to the MAC Championship.

This will be NIU’s last non-conference game before they enter MAC play, as they hit the road to take on Central Michigan next Saturday.

The adage is that the road back to Detroit for the MAC Championship will be a long one.

Well, Huskies, this seems like to perfect time to start packing up your bags.