Northern Illinois: 2026 Week 11 recap

Northern Illinois sits at 136th nationally with a 0–8 record and no realistic path forward. The Huskies fell to UNLV 31–24 in Week 9, a loss that crystallizes their offensive struggles: a red-zone TD rate of just 11% and third-down conversions at 31% reveal an offense that stalls when it matters most. GIE hasn't moved their rating, holding them flat at −25.4, and projects only 0.9 expected wins remaining on the schedule. Next up is a road trip to San José State, but with a 0% playoff probability and playoff elimination already sealed, NIU is playing for pride and positioning in what's shaping into a historically difficult season.