SJSU Hosts Winless Northern Illinois to Keep Bowl Hopes Alive
San Jose State aims to stay in bowl contention Saturday against a Northern Illinois team that has yet to win a game this season.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
San Jose State (4-5, 2-3 Mountain West) hosts Northern Illinois (0-8, 0-4) on Nov. 7, needing to win two of its final four games to become bowl-eligible. The Spartans have lost two straight and four of their past six.
Why it matters
A winning record and bowl eligibility would mark a turnaround after the program has not been bowl-eligible in three years. The outcome also bears on how the program's direction is being judged after public criticism from former quarterback Jeff Garcia.
SJSU has scored more than 20 points just once since its Sept. 12 win over Cal Poly, while Northern Illinois has been winless across eight games, ranking last in the Mountain West in rushing defense at 218 yards allowed per game. Whether SJSU's offense can produce consistently against a struggling Huskies defense remains unclear.
The players
San Jose State University
A public university in San Jose, California, whose football program competes in the Mountain West Conference.
Jeff Konya
The head coach of the San Jose State Spartans football program, who has set a bowl game as the baseline goal each season.
Jeff Garcia
A former San Jose State quarterback from Gilroy, California, who later played in the NFL and publicly criticized the program's direction on social media.
The details
The Spartans are expected to be underdogs in their final three games, and starting center Joseph Harbert was ruled out with a season-ending injury. Quarterback Luke Weaver has started seven games with a 3-4 record. Head coach Jeff Konya said the baseline objective each season is making a bowl game.
Timeline
Sept. 12: SJSU defeated Cal Poly, its last game with more than 20 points.
Oct. 14: Konya discussed the bowl objective on The HQ Sportscast.
Nov. 2: Garcia posted an Instagram message criticizing program leadership.
Nov. 7: SJSU hosts Northern Illinois.
Season Trajectory
SJSU finished the 2020 season ranked No. 24 in the final AP Top 25, a high point that has not been matched in the years since. The 2026 team's losing record and bowl uncertainty show how far the program has fallen from that peak.
A win Saturday would move SJSU to 5-5 and within reach of bowl eligibility with three games remaining. Fans tracking Mountain West standings will see the Spartans' path depend on winning two of their final four contests.
The takeaway
The Spartans' bowl hopes depend on converting a home game against a winless opponent into a winning streak. The result will show whether the offense can sustain the consistency that has eluded the team this season.
Further reading
For more on the program's recent history, see Football coverage of San Jose.
