By Alan Gerould, Senior Columnist, BroncoBlitz

Western Michigan University puts its season on the line on Tuesday Night at Northern Illinois. A win at Ohio coupled with NIU's win last week over Toledo put the Broncos back in the driver's seat for the opportunity to play in the MAC Championship game as West Division winners. Simply put, a win and the Broncos are in and a loss and its wait until we find out what Bowl game they are headed to. We were fortunate enough to get Kaleb Carter from the Daily Chronicle back this season as our guest writer. Kaleb welcome back to the Bronco Blitz hotseat.

BroncoBlitz: NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock has been on the job less than a year and is determined to get his alma mater back on top. He has some big wins in his inaugural season, including wins over Ohio and Toledo. New regimes have transition periods. How smoothly has the Hammock era transitioned with the players and the fan base and what is your outlook for the long term success of Hammock in his self described "dream job."

Kaleb Carter: Hammock won over the fans quickly with his stories of Huskie pride, commitment to the tradition of "The Hard Way" and being the first Huskie alum to be named football head coach since Howard Fletcher in the (1956-1968). The transition has not been all that smooth, as evidenced by the Huskies sitting in a tie in the MAC cellar. That said, the Huskies still appear bought in to what the coaches are selling, and Hammock has put together quite a staff diverse in its experience, all of whom have been really amicable and accomodating in the time they've been here. I do think that the Huskies will be fine, selling tradition and building upon that with the time-honored attitude that no one will fight through the hard times better than you is always a solid selling point in my book. Even if the success they're expecting doesn't happen perhaps even next year — there are large talent gaps yet to fill — don't be surprised when NIU is quickly back in the MAC championship picture. Given how much parity there was this year, who knows if it could be as soon as next year.

Bronco Blitz: The Huskies struggled again on offense in a 45-17 loss to Eastern Michigan Tuesday night. Marcus Childers got the start against EMU and had nearly as many yards rushing as he had passing. The Huskies quarterback position has been a two-headed monster this season. Each quarterback having a particular skill set. The running back situation is in solid hands as Tre Harbison has gone over 1,000-yards for the second straight season. Who would you expect to see at quarterback on Tuesday and how do you expect NIU to attack the Broncos?

Kaleb Carter: I expect to see Marcus Childers, given that Bowers has been in concussion protocol twice since leaving the Miami game with a concussion. I expect the Huskies to go hard on the ground at WMU early in this one, with possible more touches than we're accustomed to seeing from Marcus Jones. I expect them to also try and get Childers going on short completions to Mitchell Brinkman, Daniel Crawford and Tyrice Richie while hoping to rack up yards after the catch.

BroncoBlitz: The defense is definitely missing many key players through graduation. Dillon Thomas had nine solo's against EMU but the Huskies were unable to get much pressure on Eagles QB Mike Glass lll. Where have the Huskies been hurt most on defense this season and where have they been strong?

Kaleb Carter: The Huskies are down the three all-conference caliber linebackers who were pencilled in as starters before the season. Two (Kyle Pugh and Lance Deveaux Jr.) may be back next season pending medical redshirts they should both be eligible for. Three different cornerbacks who have started the season, two due to injury and one (Devin Haney) due to transfer. The Huskies may also be without defensive tackle Jack Heflin due to an undisclosed injury. The lack of healthy linebackers and cornerbacks has allowed defenses to attack the Huskies up the middle and in stretching the field down the numbers. Dillon Thomas' tackle numbers in recent weeks are an indicator of how much teams are targeting the receiver that Thomas, formerly a safety, has been tasked with covering.

Bronco Blitz: In years past this game has often come down to the play of the special teams. Can you give us a brief introduction to the Huskies specialists?

Kaleb Carter: If this game comes down to special teams, it favors WMU. Jalen McKie does have two blocked kicks (both in the Nebraska loss) and Matt Ference is one of the better punters in the MAC. Other than that, the Huskies have no discernible kick return or punt return games and have had numerous mental snafus in special teams this season. They do not return kicks. They just don't.

BroncoBlitz: These teams don't like each other much and both teams have plenty to play for. The Huskies want to play spoiler and get momentum heading into next season. The Broncos are playing for a berth in the MAC Championship. What must NIU do on Tuesday night in Dekalb to upset the Broncos? What do you think are the keys to the game and finally what is your prediction for a final score?

Kaleb Carter: NIU's defense must bend, but not break. The Toledo game was a blueprint for how the Huskies can beat a solid team, minus about seven minutes of very poor football. If WMU gets in the red zone,the Huskies have to get stops. And not like this is a surpise, but the Huskies have to find a way to not let LeVante Bellamy beat them. Stack the box with eight if you have to, man up and throw your safeties in the box. The problem with that is the Huskie corners are not good on an island. If WMU plays well offensively and doesn't shoot itself in the foot, the Broncos will be in good shape. The Huskies are touting how important this game will be to show respect for their seniors, so I expect that this will be a competitive game as NIU shows some heart, but talent and depth will win out with WMU winning 34-20.