Reason to believe: The injury bug bit four quarterbacks last year, and the Huskies still managed to win their sixth straight MAC West title. A bevy of starters returns on both sides of the ball, none more important than Drew Hare, who is poised to continue the great quarterback play the program has become known for.
Reason for doubt: The bar has been set high, so anything short of a seventh straight appearance in the MAC championship game would be a disappointment. The Huskies were picked to finish third in the West behind Western Michigan and Toledo in a media poll.
Big hole to fill: Center Andrew Ness and guard Aidan Conlon started all 55 times the Huskies took the field the last four years. Center Shane Evans and Lincoln Howard are expected to join returning starters Levon Myers, Max Scharping and Josh Ruka on the offensive line.
Breakout player: The value of 304-pound nose guard Corey Thomas became painfully obvious when the Lindblom product went down with a torn ACL against Western Michigan in mid-November. The Huskies lost their final three games without him clogging the middle, giving up 115 points in the process.
Season is a success if: Start with a MAC West title, but this program wants more. To reach the next level, it’s as much about what’s happening in the stands as on the field. An increase in attendance and a big turnout for the “Chi-Town Showdown” against Toledo on Nov. 9 at U.S. Cellular Field might be as important as another conference championship.