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Buffalo Bulls Game By Game Previews - Northern Illinois

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

at
Buffalo Bulls
Northern Illinois
Date / Time Saturday, October 22nd / 3:30
Television TBD
Venue Huskie Stadium
Storyline

The Bulls take to the road and look to be big underdogs against an NIU team that has enjoyed a tremendous decade of success.

Series History

This will be the 11th meeting between these two teams. UB first played NIU at Dekalb in 1968, and won the game. Since then UB is 0-9 with all but one of those losses taking place during the club's modern FBS era.

Last Meeting

Northern Illinois Huskies vs Buffalo Bulls football recap: First half hole too deep for Bulls - Bull Run
UB's 27-10 run in the second half drew the hosts within a single possession after a 28-3 halftime deficit, but at the end of the day Buffalo drops to 5-5 on the season after NIU's 41-30 victory.

Rankings Composite Ranking - 69
Big Names

Defense: Junior cornerback Shawun Lurry led the nation with nine interceptions last season. He also did a lot of damage after picking off the quarterback. He tallied 273 return yards.

Offense: Joel Bouagnon, who rushed for 1,269 yards in 2015, is back this season. NIU also has a RB transfer named Tommy Mister who came from Indiana.

Finally there is Drew Hare. He injured his achillies tendon last season but was healthy enough in the spring to take some snaps. If he is back to 100% there are few quarterbacks in the MAC who are more dangerous.

Key Matchup Buffalo's pass rush versus Hare. If he is 100% then he is mobile enough to make teams pay by using his legs.
Prediction
NIU is not as good today as they were in 2012, or even last season, but they are still better than Buffalo. Look for a pretty solid NIU win.