With Saturday’s loss, the NIU football team stands a game behind in the MAC West, but still has a chance at the division crown – with some help.

For a chance to win the MAC, NIU needs to win its remaining four games against Ball State, Buffalo, Toledo and Eastern Michigan.

NIU then needs to have Bowling Green lose two of its last four games. BGSU plays at MAC East leader Miami-Ohio next Tuesday, followed by Kent State, Ball State and Toledo.

“There’s a lot of football to be played,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “BG’s got a great football team, but they’ve got Miami [Ohio] next week in Miami, and they’ve got Toledo yet.”

Ball State and Toledo each control their own destiny, along with BGSU.

Both teams have to play the Huskies and the Falcons. Ball State seems to have the tougher schedule, as it has three straight road games, starting this week at NIU, while Toledo has three straight home games.

Despite being ranked No. 21, the Huskies aren’t assured a bowl berth because the MAC has only two tie-in bowls. The winner of the MAC Championship Game is the only MAC team assured a bowl game. The GMAC Bowl chooses between the MAC, Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA.

Even though the Huskies have their fate in other teams’ hands, they still feel confident about their chances at winning the MAC.

“If we could run the table from here, 11-1 is a great season,” NIU cornerback Randee Drew said. “Hopefully, Bowling Green won’t be able to run the table. Personally, I don’t think they can, but they’re capable of it. We can still be in this race by the end of the season; you never know.”