Ohio @ Northern Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Northern Illinois 31, Ohio 38

THE STORY: Expect a lot of points to be scored when No. 19-ranked Northern Illinois meets Ohio at Ford Field for the Mid-American Conference championship. Northern Illinois averages 39.6 points and Ohio averages 31.9 points with each team led by an exciting quarterback. Northern Illinois, under first-year coach Dave Doeren, has won seven straight and looks to avenge its loss in last year’s conference championship game. Ohio has won five in a row since dropping back-to-back games and knocked off reigning MAC champion Miami in the final season game. The Bobcats are making their first appearance in the conference championship since 2009. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. The all-time series is tied 9-9; Ohio won 38-31 in 2010. This is their first meeting on a neutral field.

TV: ESPN2. LINE: Northern Illinois -3.5

ABOUT OHIO (9-3, 6-2 MAC): Tyler Tettleton set 11 single-season records in 2011. The sophomore has thrown for 2,848 yards and 26 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions, five of them off tipped balls. Tettleton has rushed for 576 yards and eight TDs. Running back Donte Harden, who missed 2½ weeks with an injury, has rushed for 795 yards and a two TDs. He had 322 all-purpose yards against Temple on Nov. 2. The difference-maker could be kicker Matt Weller, who has made 22 of 30 field goals and hasn’t missed inside 40 yards. Ohio’s defense, which leads the MAC with 14 interceptions, had five sacks against Miami. Middle linebacker Noah Keller has 92 tackles and forced two fumbles and defensive end Tremayne Scott has eight tackles for loss a team-leading 3.5 sacks.

ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS (9-3, 7-1 MAC): The Huskies are led by quarterback Chandler Harnish. He ranks 15th in the nation in rushing yards per game (112.6) and passing efficiency (154.36). Harnish has rushed for 1,351 yards and 11 touchdowns and thrown for 2,692 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s got plenty of help, too. Running back Jasmin Hopkins has rushed for 872 yards and 15 touchdowns and three receivers have exceeded 30 receptions: Nathan Palmer (42 for 568 yards, five TDs), Martel Moore (36 for 464, five TDs) and Perez Ashford (36 for 405, two TDs). Kicker Matthew Sims has made 18 of 23 field goals, the longest a 44-yarder. The defense is led by linebacker Pat Schiller, who has 103 tackles, 10 of them for loss, and two sacks.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit receives the first choice of MAC teams, but is not required to take the champion. The GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala., gets the second choice.

2. Northern Illinois was ranked No. 24 entering last year’s conference title game and lost to Miami 26-21.

3. A win by Northern Illinois would be the 34th for its senior class and match a school record. A win by Ohio would be the 37th by its seniors.

PREDICTION: Northern Illinois 35, Ohio 31 – Northern Illinois QB Chandler Harnish will be the difference maker.