Despite a 12-1 record, two-time conference champion NIU is still getting no respect.

It didn't take Dave Doeren 24 hours before winning the MAC Championship to leave for NC State, and NIU athletic director Jeff Compher acted equally speedy by promoting Rod Carey to head coach.

After finishing ranked 15th in the final BCS standings, the Northern Illinois Huskies will be heading to the Orange Bowl.

Only hours after winning his second consecutive MAC Championship, Northern Illinois head coach Dave Doeren has been plucked away by NC State to replace Tom O'Brien

The wait was entirely worth it. The first overtime game in MAC Football Championship history showed the country exactly what the conference was about.

Move over, Denard Robinson.

The popular pick remains Northern Illinois over Kent State. But with the Huskies favored by a touchdown in Detroit, how many experts are taking the Golden Flashes? And who do I have winning? You're wondering what I'm thinking, most likely.

There just aren't many stats for offensive lineman, at least readily available to the proletariat. But here's what we do know: the numbers boasted by Lynch and Archer would be impressive but not as...