Go ahead.

Admit it.

You never thought you would see the day when NIU would be playing for a share of the Mid-American Conference Championship in football.

Some of you even doubted your children would ever see the day the Huskies would rise to the MAC’s elite.

Just proves how much you know.

Finally, the Huskies have something to play for late in the season. NIU has a chance to play in its first bowl game since 1983 when the Huskies defeated Cal-State Fullerton 20-13 in the California Bowl.

To appreciate the Huskies’ season, it is important to see where they have come from.

The Huskies had only one winning season in the ’90s.

In 1997, NIU lost all 11 of its games, by a combined score of 382-129.

From 1996-1998, the Huskies lost 23 straight games. NIU fell to the likes of North Texas, Southwestern Louisiana and Eastern Illinois before finally beating Central Michigan in the sixth game of the 1998 season.

The history of NIU football makes Saturday’s game against Ball State even more significant.

Let’s face it, NIU is not a football powerhouse.

It probably never will need a stadium bigger than the one it has. It probably never will compete for the national championship or be able to sign the top quarterback in the country.

But that doesn’t mean the Huskies can’t develop a darn good program and compete for the MAC championship year in and year out.

Saturday’s game against Ball State could be a first step.

“There is certainly a lot more on the line for this game,” said head coach Joe Novak. “Winning the West would be another step for our program.”

If the Huskies win, they could be known as the team that revived the NIU football tradition. The same team that posted an 0-11 season could leave as MAC West Division Co-Champs.

But, it will not be easy. Ball State has a solid football team.

An upset over Toledo put it at the top of the conference and the luxury to control its own destiny.

“Ball State is playing for a championship,” Novak said. “Right now in the West, Ball State’s in the driver’s seat.”

The Huskies are on the verge of something this school has not seen since 1983. Once the laughingstock of the nation, the Huskies are ready to make their move in the MAC.

This is a unique opportunity for this team. NIU may never be in this position again.

I’m enjoying all the hype.

You should too.