Tuesday, Nov. 9.

That is the date of NIU football’s game with MAC West co-leader Toledo.

The Huskies and Rockets both sit at 5-0 in the MAC, and a win over Toledo almost certainly will guarantee the Huskies a spot in a bowl game for the first time in more than 20 years.

But first NIU will have to travel to Muncie, Ind. Saturday to take on Ball State. The game before “the game” will start at 4 p.m. at Ball State Stadium.

Despite BSU’s 1-7 record, NIU coach Joe Novak knows nothing is guaranteed, especially on the road.

“We’re still focused on Ball State,” Novak said. “They beat Toledo the past two times they’ve played down in Muncie, and that’s something we haven’t been able to do.”

While BSU (1-7 overall, 1-4 MAC) has beaten Toledo twice in Muncie over the past four years, it has been the Huskies (6-2, 5-0) who have had no problems with the Cardinals in recent years. Although BSU leads the all-time series 12-17-2, NIU has won the last five, dating back to 1999.

“It’s difficult to play down there,” Novak said. “I know [Ball State coach] Brady Hoke is an emotional guy. He’ll have that team revved up.”

Leading the way for BSU will be the national leader in receptions, Dante Ridgeway. The junior has 77 receptions for 989 yards.

“He’ll be a threat to us,” NIU wide receiver Dan Sheldon said. “He’s one of those guys that has the ability to score quickly, so somebody like that we’ve really got to contain.”

On the ground, the Cardinals have a 5-foot-11, 190-pound freshman Adell Givens in line to win the MAC Freshman of the Year Award. Givens has a team-leading 680 yards rushing and a five yards-per-carry average this season. His 85 yards-per-game average is fourth in the MAC.

The combination of Givens and Ridgeway helps give the Cardinals a combination similar to the balance the Huskies have on offense.

“If you take one away, they’re going to do the other and do it well,” Novak said.

The running back in the MAC leaderboard Givens chases is NIU’s Garrett Wolfe. The 5-foot-7 sophomore is 10th in the nation with a 120.88 yards-per-game average and he is No. 1 with 15 touchdowns.

“He’s not going to hurt you, but he’s going to make you miss,” Novak said. “He can turn a 10-yard play into a 70-yarder.”

Despite all the talent and balance on offense, Hoke praised the Huskies defense, which ranks fifth in the MAC for scoring defense.

“They play great team defense,” Hoke said. “They do a good job of getting 11 heads to the ball. Their defense is going to be a great challenge for us defensively.”