Northern Illinois Ranked No. 23 In Latest AP Poll

The Northern Illinois Huskies just keep on rolling. They've started the season 5-0, put up one of the greatest offensive performances in Mid-American History, came in at No. 23 in the Coaches Poll for two weeks running, and now have cracked the AP Poll for the first time this season, at No. 23 of course.

The Huskies have two quality wins over B1G 10 teams this season, including a drubbing of Purdue two weeks ago. They've also produced one the countries best overall offenses, and the No. 6 rushing offense, while the defense has improved each week. They own the nation's longest home winning streak (22) and the longest conference winning streak (18). But what's held NIU back from being ranked sooner was the fact that they play in the MAC. Fresno State is the only other member of a non-AQ conference that is in the poll, and is sitting two spots ahead at No. 21.

NIU has a strong possibility to be 9-0 by mid-November, which means that even with a weak slate of games over the next four weeks, if the Huskies can keep putting up impressive numbers and blow some opponents out, they should be able to continue their creep up the poll. Last year, the MAC didn't have a team ranked in the AP Top 25 until Week 8 when Ohio cracked it at No. 25. Northern Illinois didn't crack the AP Top 25 in 2012 until Week 13 in 2012.

The AP Poll does not count for the BCS Standings, which will be released for the first time this year after this upcoming week. Here's a full break down of the AP Poll.