This afternoon when NIU takes on Iowa at Soldier Field, the Huskies will enter the season as Mid-American Conference champions for the first time since 1984. NIU also will be playing with the nation’s longest winning streak.

It will be tough for the Huskies to top 2011. A number of key players from last season, including quarterback Chandler Harnish, the 2011 MAC MVP, have graduated.

But NIU still is talented, and has a year of experience with head coach Dave Doeren’s system. As the 2012 season begins today, here are the top five ways NIU will be able to call the this season a success. All of these things don’t have to happen for it to be a successful campaign, but the Huskies need several of them to happen if they’re to look back fondly on this season.