MAC Championship: #21 Northern Illinois vs #17 Kent State Preview

The Mid-American Conference has been quite the impressive conference this season. Most notably, the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Kent State Golden Flashes. Both teams I'm sure weren't projected to do much this season, but both have broken into the Top 25. Also, both teams have only had one loss each! Northern Illinois lost to Iowa while Kent State lost to Kentucky. Both teams are also obviously undefeated in the MAC. But that stops Friday!

Friday at 7:00 PM NIU takes on Kent State on ESPN2, for the MAC Championship. And although most people probably don't look toward the MAC for a good football game, they'll be in for a treat Friday night!

Northern Illinois is led by the MAC MVP, Jordan Lynch, a red-shirt junior, has had quite the impressive season this year, throwing for 2,750 yards for 23 touchdowns and only four touchdowns. Yeah, only four...

Jordan Lynch has over 2,750 yards passing, and 39 total TDs.

He has also rushed for 1,611 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns! I know Collin Klein, Johnny Manziel, Braxton Miller and others are being hyped for the Heisman, but why this guys name hasn't come up is beyond me.

Lynch has two very capable receivers in Martel Moore and Tommylee Lewis, who have combined for over 100 receptions, 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns. But the help doesn't stop there. Northern Illinois also has running back Akeem Daniels, who has rushed for 304 yards and eight touchdowns.

NIU is obviously ranked high in rushing yards, averaging 245 yards per game (ranking them 9th in the nation for rushing). They are also averaging 40.5 points per game, and only allowing 17.5 points per game. Very impressive numbers.

Kent State isn't far behind NIU in passing yards, being ranked 11th in the nation with an average of 241.5 yards per game.

Kent State's QB, Spencer Keith has had a good season as well, throwing for over 1,500 yards, tossing 11 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He has also punched four touchdowns into the endzone.

Kent State also has two very reliable running backs in Dri Archer and Trayion Durham.

Dri Archer has a total of 18 TDs this season.

Dri Archer has 138 carries this season for 1,337 yards. He has scored 14 rushing touchdowns. He also has 30 receptions for 458 yards, and four receiving touchdowns. Quite a dual-threat, he is quite the weapon Spencer Keith has at his side.

Trayion Durham has rushed the ball 236 times for 1,176 yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns just like Archer.

Kent State's receivers haven't had quite the year as Northern Illinois'. The Golden Flashes have Josh Boyle and Eric Adeyemi as their two top receivers. They have combined for over 500 yards receiving, and 6 total touchdowns.

Both teams have been quite impressive this year. It has been fun watching them, and this game Friday should be very entertaining.

I just don't see Kent State being able to slow down Jordan Lynch. With Lynch being able to throw the ball, or rush it, he seems to be quite an unstoppable QB. I think the NCAA needs to look at this guy for a few more awards than what he's already got. But that's just my opinion...I'm just a writer!

I have NIU winning in this championship game! Make sure to tune into ESPN2 Friday night at 7:00!

Northern Illinois: 42
Kent State: 31

- Jackson McNamara

@jacksonmcnamara