Eastern Michigan has lost five straight close games. That's not only tough on the record but the morale. Just ask the San Francisco 49ers. They also had lost five consecutive close games before getting drilled 40-10 by the Cowboys this past Sunday.

I understand this is an apples and oranges comparison. Those teams have nothing to do with each other. But I point it out as an illustration of how tough it is to hang close for a sixth consecutive game after losing the first five times.

The Eagles are going to have a tough time denting Northern Illinois' stout defense, the best in the MAC. Northern Illinois has a strong pass rush led by Sutton Smith, who has 8 1/2 sacks. The Eagles have the worst third-down conversion rate in the MAC.

Northern Illinois has a balanced attack. Freshman quarterback Marcus Childers has been terrific since becoming the starter three games ago throwing for 594 yards and a 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ration in his three starts.