NIU and Bowling Green. One team, the Huskies, has a seven-game winning streak and is ranked No. 12 in the nation. While the other, the Falcons, has one loss and is ranked No. 23.

BGSU’s one loss was by seven points at then-No. 3 Ohio State.

Each team has its reasons for thinking it can win on Saturday.

NIU is undefeated and Bowling Green is a four-point favorite.

So who has the edge?

OFFENSE: Bowling Green is one of the most powerful offenses in the nation, No. 2 to be exact, averaging 514.6 yards a game.

The Falcons run a lot of shotgun offense and quarterback Josh Harris is one of the most dangerous players in the MAC. However, his touchdown to interception ratio is 10-to-7. NIU quarterback Josh Haldi has a 14-to-3 ratio.

Bowling Green’s running game averages 202.6 yards a game, but NIU can offset the Falcons there with the nation’s third leading rusher, Michael Turner.

However, BGU’s offense isn’t No. 2 in the nation for no reason and they are the most balanced team NIU will face.

EDGE: FALCONS

DEFENSE: NIU’s defense is coming off of its best performance of the season, holding Western Michigan to a season-low 10 points and 116.7 passing yards under its season average.

NIU’s defense is banged up, however. Linebacker Javan Lee and defensive end Travis Moore are injured and their status is uncertain. Defensive leader Nick Duffy is out for the year.

Bowling Green ranks second in the MAC for total defense and first in points allowed. NIU is right behind in each category.

Bowling Green is first in the MAC in red-zone defense while NIU is first in the MAC in red-zone offense.

Don’t be surprised if NIU’s defense plays well again, even with all the injuries. But a healthy Bowling Green, for now, looks more reliable.

EDGE: FALCONS

SPECIAL TEAMS: NIU has Steve Azar, who is one of the MAC’s best kickers ever. BGSU punter Nate Fry has a slight edge over NIU punter Anthony Gallagher, but not enough to offset Azar’s importance.

EDGE: HUSKIES

INTANGIBLES: Bowling Green remembers what happened last season, when NIU handed the No. 16 (ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll) Falcons their first loss of the season in DeKalb.

Revenge won’t be a factor because NIU has had a bullseye on its back in all three MAC games. And the Huskies played in one of the toughest atmospheres possible at Alabama.

Being No. 10 in the BCS standings and having an outside chance at a major bowl is incentive for the Huskies. However, all they want is to be MAC Champs and winning at BGSU would be a huge first step toward that goal.

EDGE: HUSKIES

COACHING: This is a no-brainer. NIU coach Joe Novak has completely turned around a Huskies program that was once the laughingstock of college football, and has them playing with more confidence than almost anyone.

Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon is wet behind the ears and in his first year.

EDGE: HUSKIES

OVERALL: On paper, BGU should take care of business at home.

However, games aren’t played on paper and the Huskies and Bowling Green have both proven that with wins over big-time schools.

To be quite honest, this game is a complete toss-up. However, the Huskies haven’t lost, so they get the slimmest of edges.