[2] It was the 22nd Mid-American Conference Championship, and was played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Northern Illinois scored the game's final 20 points to erase a 19-point second-half deficit and defeat Buffalo, 30–29.
[3] Northern Illinois went undefeated 6-0 in conference play, until the Huskies lost to Miami on November 14.
The Huskies were able to clinch the West Division, after the last remaining contender, Western Michigan, lost their third conference game also that weekend, eliminating the Broncos from contention.
Buffalo was able to clinch the East Division after defeating the Falcons of Bowling Green at the end of the season, compelling a conference record of 7-1.