Previewing Tuesday night's game, Northern Illinois-Ohio

Tuesday night's TV game:

Northern Illinois (8-2) at Ohio (5-5)

Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET/ESPNU. Surface: Artificial.

Line: Northern illinois by 2½. Sagarin difference: NIU by 5.99.

Synopsis: Northern Illinois helped forge a three-way tie atop the Mid-American Conference West Division by downing Toledo last week. The Huskies will still have to contend with the third co-leader, Western Michigan, in 10 days. But first they must get past the Bobcats on the road. Ohio can't win the MAC East but needs one more victory for bowl consideration. Getting it Tuesday night could boost the Bobcats' position in the MAC's selection order, but it won't be easy. NIU QB Drew Hare isn't a prolific passer but takes good care of the ball — 12 scoring passes and only one interception — and has a respectable 60.9% completion rate. More often he'll be seen keeping it or handing to stready TB Cameron Stingily. The Bobcats throw even more infrequently. The top ground gainer is RB A.J. Ouellette. Derrius Vick, who takes most of the snaps at QB, will also hold on to it often.

Line furnished by Glantz-Culver.

Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; .315 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.