Northern Illinois Huskies, the defending Mid-American Conference champions, were picked to finish 2nd in the MAC Preseason Poll. For the second straight season, NIU is listed second in the MAC's West Division behind Toledo. Toledo garnered seven first place votes from the 17 poll voters to outdistance NIU by four points, 87-83. Western Michigan is picked 3rd, followed by Ball State.
Ohio, which lost to the Huskies in the Championship game 23-20 a year ago, was picked to win the overall title. The Bobcats earned all 17 first place votes in the East, followed by Bowling Green and Miami.
The Huskies open the season hosting Iowa at Chicago's Soldier Field on September 1st. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster. And, NIU season tickets are on sale through the NIU Athletics External Office at 815-753-1923 or online at HIU Huskies dot come for just $120 for the full six game Huskie Stadium season.