Note: A version of this Michigan Wolverines opponent preview appeared in The Wolverine's Michigan Football Preview magazine, which can be purchased by clicking HERE.

All-Time Series: Michigan leads 1-0

First Meeting: U-M 33, Northern Illinois 17 (Sept. 3, 2005 at Ann Arbor)

Head Coach: Thomas Hammock, 5-13 at Northern Illinois and overall (3rd year)

2020 In Review: 0-6 overall, 0-6 MAC (6th West)

Final 2020 Ranking: Unranked

Returning Starters: 19 (7 offense, 10 defense, 2 specialists)

Last Bowl Appearance: 2018 (Cheribundee Boca Raton Bowl vs. UAB, L 37-13)

Passing: Rod Thompson (34 yards, 0 TD)

Rushing: Harrison Waylee (456 yards, 1 TD)

Receiving: Tyrice Richie (597 yards, 4 TD)

Tackles: Jordan Gandy (41)

Sacks: Devonte O’Malley (8)

Interceptions: Jordan Hansen (2)

Players To Watch

Offense: Tyrice Richie, 5th-Sr., WR — His 597 receiving yards were the fifth most in the MAC last season … Caught 32 passes for 415 yards and a team-high four touchdowns in 2019.

Defense: Jordan Gandy, So., CB — Transferred in from South Dakota State ahead of the 2019 campaign … Allowed 27 receptions on 43 targets in 2020.

Northern Illinois was one of the worst teams in college football in 2020, going winless during its six-game, conference-only season. Third-year head coach Thomas Hammock is looking to get the Huskies back to being competitive in the Mid-American Conference West Division and contending for a bowl game berth.

Northern Illinois’ schedule doesn’t do it any favors, with the Huskies set to begin the year at Georgia Tech Sept. 4, two weeks before a game at Michigan Sept. 18.

A squad that ranked 88th in total offense and 90th in scoring offense is hoping Michigan State transfer quarterback Rocky Lombardi, a name Wolverines fans are familiar with, can be the one to inject some life into the unit. Lombardi threw for 1,090 yards with eight touchdowns last season, and played a stellar game at The Big House, passing for 323 yards and three scores in an upset victory.