Football | July 24
DETROIT – The Northern Illinois University Huskies were picked to finish fifth in the 2025 Mid-American Conference Football Coaches Preseason Poll released Thursday during the 2025 MAC Football Media Day in Detroit.
NIU collected 94 points, 21 behind No. 4 Buffalo and 13 ahead of sixth-place Bowling Green. Toledo narrowly edged Miami (Ohio) for first place with 135 points to the RedHawks' 131. They were followed by defending champions Ohio with 123.
NIU will open its final season in the Mid-American Conference versus Miami on Saturday, October 4 in the Huskies' 118th Homecoming game, will play Ohio in Athens on Saturday, October 18 and face Toledo on Wednesday, November 5 in Toledo.
2025 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
First Place votes in ( ) | *Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Toledo (7) -- 135 points
2. Miami (3) -- 131 points
3. Ohio (3) -- 123 points
4. Buffalo -- 115 points
5. Northern Illinois -- 94 points
6. Bowling Green -- 81 points
7. Western Michigan -- 71 points
8. Eastern Michigan -- 68 points
9. Central Michigan -- 65 points
10. Ball State -- 41 points
T11. Akron -- 39 points
T11. Massachusetts -- 39 points
13. Kent State -- 12 points
MAC Title Game Champion: Toledo – 6; Miami – 4; Ohio – 3
The Huskies also will take on Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ball State, MAC newcomer UMass and Kent State in 2025 with Ball State, Western Michigan and Kent State all coming to Huskie Stadium. The November 28 game versus Kent State will mark the final MAC regular season game for the Huskies.
On Thursday, fans can hear from NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, who begins his seventh season with the Huskies in 2025, and junior offensive tackle Evan Malcore on ESPN+ during the MAC Football Media Day broadcast, which begins at 10 a.m. CT. Click here to watch as the show will preview all 13 MAC programs.
Season ticket prices for NIU's six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes).
Renew or purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.
-- NIU --
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics Official
