In a community where football is king, spring signals the beginning of endless speculation that surrounds NIU football. With only 11 days until the spring football game, there are many positions that need to be addressed before the season starts.

Offensive line

There is one reason why NIU has garnered national television exposure and respect as a program — the running game. Without names like LeShon Johnson, Michael Turner and senior Garrett Wolfe, NIU would be just another state college in the Midwest toiling in obscurity.

But the running backs can’t do it all on their own. Last season, NIU had the best offensive line in the MAC that accounted for 206 rush yards per game and was anchored by center Brian Van Acker.

But with Jake Ebenhoch, Ben Lueck and Van Acker all lost to graduation, NIU has three holes to fill. An inexperienced line could spell disaster for the 5-foot-7 Wolfe, who is more effective working the sideline than running between tackles.

Wolfe’s reputation as a game breaker meant he faced eight and nine men in the box all last year. Considering NIU’s receiving corps, he’ll be lucky if there aren’t 11 men and the marching band lining up across from him this year.

Wide receiver

There is no Sam Hurd to keep opposing defenses honest anymore. With 65 catches for 1,074 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2005, “The Birdman” commanded respect from the secondary. Safeties were forced to drop back deep into coverage instead of blitzing or moving up to help the run defense.

Shatone Powers is also gone, which means NIU just lost 55 percent of its pass offense and 17 of its 24 touchdowns. All that’s left is Britt Davis and a lot of unproven talent. The buzz is this new receiving corps is quite fast and athletic, and they’ll have to come up big from game one.

Defensive line

Last season, there wasn’t a single 300-pounder on the front four who could demand a double team or clog the middle, which frequently neutralized the pass rush. Zack Holycross will hold down one defensive tackle spot, but putting Craig Rusch next to him would be a big mistake.

Rusch proved last year he could get to the quarterback from the end better than any other Huskie and his ability to finish sacks and force fumbles was invaluable. Sticking him in the middle simply to stop the run is a colossal waste of his athleticism.

The Secondary

The scariest group on the field, mainly because you never know what you’ll get. Remember the play that beat NIU in Detroit last December? How could you not?

Ray Smith’s big hits put fear into opposing receivers and his leadership will be sorely missed. Dustin Utschig was sensational last year, but the cornerbacks have done nothing but inspire gritted teeth anytime a ball is thrown their way. Watching the corners give a 10-yard bubble to every receiver and then get burned underneath and deep for another year would be almost too much to bear.

Until the Huskies fill these holes, don’t buy your plane tickets to Detroit just yet.