the 2016 northern illinois huskies football team represented northern illinois university in the 2016 ncaa division i fbs football season. the huskies competed in the west division of the mid-american conference. they were led by fourth-year head coach rod carey. they played their home games at huskie stadium in dekalb, illinois. they finished the season 5–7, 5–3 in mac play to finish in third place in the west division.