College football: NIU at Toledo

When: 6 p.m. at Glass Bowl

TV: None; Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Series: Toledo leads 28-8.

Coaches: Jerry Kill (9-9, second year at NIU; 113-66 in 16th year overall);

Players to watch: There aren't many, if any, more efficient players in America than NIU junior running back Chad Spann. He has just 66 touches this year (61 rushes, 5 receptions), but he ranks third in the nation with 10 touchdowns in five games. Starting RB Me'co Brown owns 465 yards and 3 TDs in 78 rushes. Safety Tracy Wilson leads an otherwise balanced defense with 44 tackles.

Toledo senior QB Aaron Opelt, who hurt his throwing shoulder last week against Western Michigan, is listed as questionable. Opelt's absence would be huge as he owns 1,784 yards and 14 TDs for the nation's No. 7 team in passing yards. WRs Eric Page (41 catches, 640 yards, 6 TDs) and Stephen Williams (40 catches, 621 yards, 5 TDs) are the top targets while RB DaJuane Collins (453 yards, 4 TDs) keeps defenses honest.

The skinny: If you're into the transitive property, then Northern Illinois should win by approximately 67 points. The Huskies bounced Western Michigan 38-3 two weeks ago, then took last Saturday off and watched WMU bludgeon Toledo 58-26. (In a related equation, NIU won by 7 at Purdue while Toledo lost there by 21). Of course, that's not how things work in the real world - especially when it comes to the Huskies and Rockets. NIU's 38-7 win last year is an incongruous data point in Toledo's long-running dominance of the rivalry. Here's what's relevant: Northern Illinois leads the MAC in rushing (201.4 ypg) while Toledo has been dreadful against the run (188.8 ypg).