FILE -Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock walks the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Detroit. Northern Illinois went from lovable underdog to leader of the Mid-American Conference pack in one season. Keeping the title will be no walk in the park for the Huskies. After going from winless in 2020 to conference champs in 2021, The Huskies will try to become just the third team since 2001 to win consecutive conference crowns and the first since Northern Illinois last achieved the feat in 2011-12. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)