In a battle of two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Rod Carey and the Northern Illinois Huskies (-4.5) will be taking the field against the Akron Zips at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium. This key MAC matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network has the TV rights.
Northern Illinois Huskies at Akron Zips Betting Preview
In this Thursday Mid-American game, Northern Illinois is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4.5 points. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to wager $200 in order to win $100 back on the Huskies (-200). The Zips are getting +170 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 38.5 points, and should one school can get out in front early, it will likely produce a solid in-game betting opportunity.
The early action has slanted toward the Zips, as the opening line was 6. The game’s total has yet to change after it was initially set at 38.5.
The Huskies have gained 3.8 units so far and are 4-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 1-7. The Zips have lost 2.0 units this season. The team is 3-4 ATS and owns an O/U record of 2-5.
The Huskies have gone 5-3 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Zips are 4-3 SU overall and 2-2 SU in conference play.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to face each other in 2017.
The Huskies are coming off a 7-6 win over BYU last week in which Marcus Childers completed just 10 passes on 21 attempts for 115 yards. Jauan Wesley (four receptions, 70 yards) and Spencer Tears (three catches, 34 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Akron take the field this week after just getting a 17-10 win over Central Michigan. Kato Nelson completed 10-of-27 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. Van Edwards, Jr. (96 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Nelson (23 yards on 10 carries) led the running game while Andre Williams (five receptions, 50 yards) and Nate Stewart (two catches, 62 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Northern Illinois has run the ball on 58.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Akron has an overall rush percentage of 53.2 percent. The Huskies have rushed for 151 yards per game (including 224 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have nine scores on the ground this year. The Zips are averaging 122 rush yards per game (118 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
The Huskies offense has logged 133 yards per contest in the air overall (128 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Zips have produced 193 pass yards per contest (171.5 against MAC foes) and have nine total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Northern Illinois has allowed 112 rush yards and 233 pass yards per game. The Akron D has allowed 215.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 147.0 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Huskies have given up an ANY/A of 5.34 to opposing QBs, while the Zips are allowing an ANY/A of 5.10.
Passing-wise, Childers is up to 919 yards this season. He’s completed 55 percent of his 202 attempts with eight passing scores and five interceptions. He has a 3.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.98 over the last two games.
In the other huddle, Kato Nelson has completed 86-of-173 passes for 1,129 yards, eight TDs and six INTs. Nelson’s ANY/A stands at 5.03 for the season and 4.66 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Tip: Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Akron Zips
SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
Northern Illinois has produced 4.6 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.2 over its last two.
Akron has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.9 over its past two.
Akron has lost eight fumbles this season while Northern Illinois has lost three.
The Huskies offense has registered one pass play of 40 yards or more, while the Zips have accounted for four such plays.
The Northern Illinois defense has allowed six pass plays of 40+ yards, while Akron has given up three such plays.
The Northern Illinois offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Akron has created eight such runs.
The Huskies defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Zips have given up six such runs.
The Northern Illinois defense has 27 sacks on the year while Akron has just 11.
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