Hoping to extend their undefeated record, the No. 20 Toledo Rockets (7-0) take on the Northern Illinois Huskies (5-3). The MAC’s second-leading rusher, Joel Bouagnon (863 yards, 14 TDs), will be featured in this game. It will air Tuesday, Nov 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESP2.
In its last game before the bye, Toledo defeated Massachusetts 51-35. Terry Swanson had a huge game running the ball in the victory, rushing 21 times for 118 yards and one TD. Cody Thompson also had a great game with 116 receiving yards and two TDs on six catches. Northern Illinois also won its game before the bye, dominating Eastern Michigan 49-21. Jordan Huff had a great game running the ball for the Huskies, rushing 13 times for 128 yards and one TD. Drew Hare had a great game as well, adding 267 yards and four TDs through the air.
Toledo is a seven-point favorite against the Huskies.
The Rockets have performed above expectations so far this year with a 7-0 record Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS). Toledo has averaged 42 points per game over the last five weeks, higher than its season average of 37.0. The higher scores coincide with their increased yards-per-game average (534 YPG) over the last five games. During their last five games, the Rockets gave up 201.8 passing yards per game. In the third quarter, Toledo is a tough test, putting up 10.4 points during the third frame. Toledo’s special teams squad is a force to be reckoned with. They average 120.9 return yards per game, 14th in Division I.
In the other locker room, the Huskies head into Week 10 with records of 4-2-2 ATS and 5-3 SU. Over their last five games, the Huskies have a SU record of 3-2 and a 2-1-2 record ATS for those betting with them. The defensive front seven better be ready for Northern Illinois’s bruising rushing attack which has averaged 237.8 yards on the ground over its past five games. Over the last five games, the Huskies turned it up on defense, only allowing an average of 208.4 passing yards per game. Toledo’s quarterback needs to be careful against the Huskies. Their defense ranks 11th in the country in interceptions with 1.5 per game. Toledo needs to keep its intensity through the fourth quarter against the Huskies, who average 11.1 points in the final 15 minutes of regulation. Northern Illinois has put in some strong special teams performances this season. The team has averaged 124.6 return yards per game, ranking them 12th in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Toledo
Notes
Toledo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toledo’s last 7 games.
Toledo is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Toledo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toledo’s last 5 games at home.
Toledo is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Northern Illinois.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toledo’s last 6 games when playing Northern Illinois.
Toledo is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Northern Illinois.
Northern Illinois is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toledo.
Northern Illinois is 5-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Toledo is 7-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Toledo has drawn an average of 8.2 penalties on opponents over its last five games, but Northern Illinois is a perfect 6-0 SU this season when penalized at least eight times in a game.
