WMU the latest team picked to challenge NIU in MAC West

DETROIT — For six straight seasons, Northern Illinois has played in the Mid-American Conference championship game. The Huskies haven’t always won, but they’ve always made it there, no matter how strong a challenge they’ve faced from others in their division.

This year it’s Western Michigan that looks ready to provide the sternest test. The Broncos were overwhelming favorites to win the conference in the preseason media poll, although WMU coach P.J. Fleck was quick to steer attention back toward Northern Illinois.

“We have a team in the West that’s won six straight championships and they don’t get picked. You got to be kidding me. They’ve won six straight,” Fleck said. “I don’t understand that.”

Western Michigan went 8-5 last season and returns quarterback Zach Terrell and receiver Corey Davis. WMU lost only two conference games in 2015 — against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green, the two teams who played for the MAC title.

NIU has won the conference three times during its streak of six titlegame appearances. Bowling Green beat the Huskies for the championship last season and in 2013. In fact, Bowling Green is working on its own streak of three trips to the title game in Detroit.

Western Michigan hasn’t played in the MAC championship game since 2000 and hasn’t won the conference since 1988. Fleck has been WMU’s coach for three seasons, and the Broncos improved quickly after going 1-11 in 2013.