DeKalb: 39,000 people; the world: six billion. Those are just populations, but those numbers might as well represent the odds that have been placed over the head of the Huskies to win this Saturday at Ohio State.

But from talking to the players, you would never know they are about to take on the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Huskies, a team of kids that Big Ten schools said “no thanks” to, even seem nonchalant about it. Something most wouldn’t expect when heading into the fourth-largest stadium in the country.

“I think it’s only as big of a deal as the [media] makes it,” said senior tailback Garrett Wolfe. “It’s still a game of football. It’s still X’s and O’s.”

But analysts will tell you those X’s and O’s on paper show a difference — a big difference.

While NIU just announced their starting quarterback, senior Phil Horvath, last week, Ohio State has Troy Smith, a Heisman candidate who threw for 2,282 yards with a 62.9 completion percentage and a passer rating of 162.7.

Horvath is no stranger to the starting role, though. In nine games last season he threw for 1,995 yards with a 70.6 completion percentage and a passer rating of 159.2.

Both quarterbacks have the challenge of leading their offenses over young defenses.

The Buckeyes have more weapons than just Smith. Throw in wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez with tailback Antonio Pittman and there’s an offense that combined last year for 2,759 yards of offense and 15 touchdowns.

“You just have to respect the fact that [our opponents] are tremendous athletes,” said senior free safety Dustin Utschig. “We just got to keep everything inside and in front of us, and keep a level head.”

Ohio State’s defense has its challenges as well. Only two players, defensive tackles David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock, are returning to the field.

It will take those two, plus nine other new defensive members, to stop the nation’s returning leading rusher, Wolfe, who ran for 1,580 yards last season with 16 rushing touchdowns.

Then again, NIU coach Joe Novak knows the entire game isn’t up to Wolfe. He’ll need players like wide receiver Britt Davis, tight end Jake Nordin and kicker Chris Nendick to perform.

“We don’t have to play like Superman,” Novak said. “I’ve made that comment. We’re not going in there tight. Nobody expects us to win, but then again, we do.”