Previewing Tuesday night's TV game: Western Michigan vs. No. 20 NIU

Tuesday night's TV game

Western Michigan (1-10) at No. 20 Northern Illinois (11-0)

Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET/ESPN2. Surface: Artificial.

Line: NIU by 35. Sagarin difference: NIU by 37.73.

Synopsis: This is one of those contests that can do more harm than good for the heavily favored Huskies. While all opponents must be respected, the order of the day for NIU will be to take charge quickly and get its starters out as early as possible in preparation for next weekend's MAC finale.

That, of course, applies most notably to QB Jordan Lynch, who might have a visit to New York City in his future. His two primary WRs, Tommylee Lewis and Da'Ron Brown, are both nursing foot injuries and might also see few if any snaps. Expect the ground game, behind Lynch and TB Cameron Stingily, to be a big part of the game plan early on. The Broncos have enjoy football success in the not-too-recent past, but first-year coach P.J. Fleck must do a lot of replenishing over the next couple of years. One potential building block figures to be the freshman aerial combo of QB Zach Terrell and WR Corey Davis.

Line furnished by Glantz-Culver.

Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; 3.57points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.

Eddie Timanus, a national colleges reporter and the poll editor for Paste BN Sports, is on Twitter @EddieTimanus.