The 2012 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

Northern Illinois compiled an overall record of 12–2 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the MAC West Division title.

Northern Illinois was invited to the Orange Bowl, where they lost to Florida State.

[1][2] Second-year head coach Dave Doeren led the team during the regular season and the MAC title game before resigning to become the head football coach at North Carolina State University.

As a result, Northern Illinois received a BCS bid to the Orange Bowl.