Coming into the 2008 season, I wasn’t really sure what to think of NIU’s chances this year.

The team went 2-10 last season, one of the worst seasons in recent history.

Joe Novak retired after 12 seasons as head coach, and Jerry Kill arrived from Southern Illinois. However, last season’s team also had a ton of injuries, and the team returned with the majority of its starters in 2008.

I think it’s clear after seven games that this team is for real. The Huskies are currently 4-3, but could easily be undefeated, as the three losses have come from a combined 11 points.

Then there is the schedule. The three teams NIU has lost to, Minnesota, Tennessee and Western Michigan, had home field advantage and have a combined record of 15-7. And Minnesota is ranked No. 25 in both major polls.

There are two games on NIU’s remaining schedule that really stand out, games that might predict NIU’s season.

These games will pretty much decide whether the Huskies will go to the MAC Championship or a bowl game – Nov. 5 at No. 20 Ball State and Nov. 12 at home against Central Michigan.

Should the Huskies beat both Ball State and Central Michigan and run the table, they should be playing for the MAC Championship in Detroit on Dec. 5.

Although they will also need Western Michigan to suffer another defeat, as the Broncos own the tiebreaker over the Huskies due to their victory Sept. 6.

Should the Huskies lose another game, they can kiss their MAC Championship hopes goodbye.

Also, the Huskies will probably be on the outside looking in as far as earning a bowl experience.

There is still a chance that NIU could earn an at-large bowl bid, which they did in both 2004 and 2006.

No matter what happens, it will be an interesting end to the 2008 season.

The Huskies are just hoping that one of those close losses early in the season doesn’t come back to bite them with a chance to make a statement on the line.