DETROIT – It’s starting to become standard procedure at the MAC football media day. The Huskies are once again favored to win not only the MAC West, but the conference championship as well.

The general consensus of major college football publications has the Huskies taking their first MAC championship game, but for Huskie fans this could just mean another season of disappointment, underachievement and angry water cooler discussions.

The Huskies are once again loaded on offense, despite an obvious hole at the wide receiver position that ideally will be filled by sophomore Britt Davis, but there are other holes that need to be addressed before Sept. 2.

The Huskies’ defense is looking suspect in the early going, and it was obvious that the defense cost NIU the conference title (see 2005 MAC Championship game). The quarterback situation, while seemingly a win-win situation with two qualified candidates, also could put some kinks in the plan. Many teams have found out what a distraction quarterback controversies can become, especially one as heated as what Senior Phil Horvath and sophomore Dan Nicholson are in for.

Do the Huskies go with the stable veteran in Horvath or the potential of Nicholson? Who will get the reps in practice? Will the winner constantly look over his back every time he throws an incompletion or an interception? Much is up in the air with only a month left before the season kickoff.

The Huskies do have some things going in their favor this season. The MAC has another bowl tie-in with the International Bowl in Toronto against a Big East team, which should all but guarantee NIU a postseason birth.

But this shouldn’t let the Huskies lose sight of their ultimate goal. Huskie fans should not be content with a trip north of the border. Besides, how much fun can Toronto be in January?

The Huskies also return Heisman candidate Garrett Wolfe and the freakishly athletic lineman Doug Free throwing blocks for him, but will that be enough? Or will this be yet another depressing winter for the NIU faithful?

Despite all of this season’s questions, Huskie fans will at least have the hope and lofty expectations that will no doubt come with the 2007 MAC media day.