Northern Illinois and Toledo sit tied atop the Mid-AmericanConference West Division, both 5-0 in the MAC and 6-2 overall, andNorthern plays host to Toledo -- next week.
In the meantime, Huskies' head coach Joe Novak hopes his teamdoesn't look past Saturday's 4 p.m. contest at Ball State (whom NIUhas beaten the last five years) to their nemesis of late.
"We have a sign reminding our kids that Ball State has beatenToledo the last two times at home," Novak said. "In this league, ifyou aren't ready to play (on the road), you'll get beat.
"I know Brady Hoke is an emotional guy and will have that teamrevved up."
For Ball State's second-year coach, emotion has never been aproblem for his 1-7 (1-4 MAC) team.
"You've got to play this game with emotion," Hoke said. "Ifdon't have emotion, better take up different sport, they havepracticed outstanding all year."
Unfortunately, that hasn't translated into successful games forthe young, banged up Cardinals, who are giving up 38.6 points and470.6 yards per game.
While the BSU defense have wilted under several teams' passingattacks, Northern -- scoring 37.2 points per game, second in theMAC -- brings a brutally efficient rushing attack to Ball StateStadium. The Huskies average 222.4 yards on the ground and featurethe double-edged sword of sophomore Garrett Wolfe (5-foot-7, 174pounds) and A.J. Harris (6-1, 221), who Novak said "couldn't bemore different."
Wolfe, who replaced an injured Harris at the beginning of theseason, has 967 yards and 12 touchdowns. Harris, who backed upAll-American Michael Turner for two years and "is a load to tackle"according to Novak, adds 487 yards.
"They've got a nice combination with Harris and Wolfe," Hokesaid. "Garrett's slighter in build, and everybody think he's just aspeed guy, but he does a good job of finding holes. He'll put hishead down and try to run over you if he has to."
At quarterback is three-year starter Josh Haldi. Phil Horvathhad filled in admirably when Haldi missed several games with a footinjury to start the season.
In front of them is a veteran line led by All-MAC right tackleJake VerStraete.
Defensive stalwarts include end Ken West (eight sacks), middlelinebacker Brian Atkinson and safeties Lionel Hickenbottom and RaySmith.
"They play great team defense and do a great job of getting 11hats to ball," Hoke said of the Huskies.
Ball State's top offensive threat continues to be DanteRidgeway, who caught a career-high 14 passes last week at Akron togive him 77 on the season. The junior leads the nation in catchesper game and total receiving yards (989).
While Novak said he did a double-take upon seeing Ridgeway'sreceiving totals, Hoke said Ridgeway himself might now even realizehow many catches he has.
"He just goes about his daily work," Hoke said. "The last twoyears, he's made some great catches. He has a great work ethic andis great competitor."
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