Records ready to fall as NIU takes on Eastern Michigan

Northern Illinois (9-2, 7-0) at Eastern Michigan (2-9, 2-5)

When: 11 a.m. at Rynearson Stadium

Net TV: www.emueagles.com; Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Series: Northern Illinois leads 24-14-2

Coaches: Jerry Kill (22-15, third year at NIU; 126-72 in 17th year overall); Ron English (2-21, second year at EMU)

Players to watch: NIU senior RB Chad Spann (1,151 yards, 18 TDs) is one TD behind the national leaders. He owns 2,679 yards and 45 rushing TDs for his career. The latter number ranks fifth among all active collegians. Junior QB Chandler Harnish continues to lead the MAC in passer efficiency (152.77 rating) and owns 729 rushing yards in his spare time. NIU leads the MAC in rushing yards, total yards, points and fewest sacks thanks in large part to the line: LT Trevor Olson, LGs Logan Pegram and Ed Jackson, C Scott Wedige, RG Joe Pawlak and RT Keith Otis.

When Eastern Michigan senior RB Dwayne Priest is healthy, he's one of the MAC's best backs. He piled up a career-high 192 yards and 3 TDs in 35 carries last week against Buffalo. Overall, though, soph QB Alex Gillett leads the Eagles in rushing (727 yards, 5 TDs) and passing (123 of 220, 1,622 yards, 13 TDs, 13 INTs). Sophomore Andrew Sorgatz (Wheaton North HS) will make his 23rd start at left guard.

The skinny: No. 26 Northern Illinois already clinched the West Division's spot in the MAC title game on Dec. 3, so today's motivation is all about history. The Huskies have never finished undefeated in MAC play. They haven't won nine games in a row since 1965, which predates the school's move to major-college football. They appeared in the AP Top 25 poll in 2003, but a win here should ensure the program's second Top 25 honor. Eastern Michigan has improved this year, but not enough to ruin NIU's day.

He said it: Jerry Kill laying out NIU's eventual ambitions: “There are way too many things for us to play for us to not go play well. If our aspirations are going to want to be a really good program, then we have to go each week and take care of business. The best example I can give you right now is Boise State goes out and takes care of business. It doesn't matter when they're playing or what week it is, they take care of business; (so do) the TCUs of the world.”