Two of the most explosive offenses in college football will help dictate this one as the Western Michigan Broncos (6-4) meet the Northern Illinois Huskies (7-3). The MAC’s leading rusher, Joel Bouagnon (1,105 yards, 17 TDs), and the third-leading passer, Zach Terrell (2,651 yards, 23 TDs), will be featured in this contest. Western Michigan comes into this game looking to add to its recent success, having won four of its last five. The game kicks off Wednesday, Nov 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESP2.
In last week’s matchup, Northern Illinois beat Buffalo 41-30. Kenny Golladay had a huge game in the victory, recording six catches for 141 yards and two TDs. Joel Bouagnon had a great game as well, adding 156 rushing yards and two TDs on 28 attempts. Western Michigan didn’t have the same success as Northern Illinois, getting beat by Bowling Green 41-27. Corey Davis had a big game for the Broncos, grabbing 13 balls for 159 yards. Jamauri Bogan had a big game as well, totaling 118 rushing yards and two TDs on 22 carries.
As a slender three-point underdog, the Broncos look to upend the Huskies. The Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
The Huskies enter the game with records of 7-3 Straight Up (SU) and 6-2-2 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. Over their last five games, the Huskies have records of 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS. Northern Illinois has seen an increase in scoring in recent weeks compared to its 36.7 points per game average. Over the past five games, they’ve averaged 45 points per game. The Northern Illinois run game is productive, currently ranking 21st in the nation with 219.6 rushing yards per game. Turning to the Huskies defense, there are several areas to keep an eye on. When it comes to defending the pass, Northern Illinois is one of the best in the country, only giving up 10.9 yards per passing attempt. Northern Illinois usually finishes games strong, averaging 11.2 points in the fourth quarter. Northern Illinois’s special teams are one of its strengths. They earn 136.7 return yards per game, putting them fifth in Division I.
Over on the other sideline, the Broncos have 6-4 SU and ATS records this season. The Broncos went 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS over the last five games. Western Michigan has made opposing defenses pay lately, averaging 44 points per game over the last five games. This improved stretch brought its season average to 36.9 PPG. Hopefully Northern Illinois’s defense is better than its timing. It will be matching up against a Broncos offense that is on fire lately, averaging 556.2 total yards over their last five games. Northern Illinois will be matching up against a stout Broncos defense which has been playing better as well. They only allowed 20 PPG over their last five matchups, well below their season average of 28.0. The pass defense is a highlight of Western Michigan’s defense over those five weeks, only giving up 216.4 yards passing per opponent. The Broncos have a habit of starting the second half with the proper adjustments in place. They average 10.7 points during the third quarter, ranking 11th in Division I. Western Michigan has put in some strong special teams performances this season. The team has averaged 115.3 return yards per game, ranking them 14th in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois
Notes
Northern Illinois is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Northern Illinois’s last 5 games.
Northern Illinois is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Northern Illinois’s last 6 games at home.
Northern Illinois is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Northern Illinois is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home.
Northern Illinois is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Western Michigan.
Northern Illinois is 13-3-2 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Western Michigan.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northern Illinois’s last 10 games when playing Western Michigan.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Northern Illinois’s last 6 games when playing at home against Western Michigan.
Western Michigan is 6-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Northern Illinois is 5-1 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Western Michigan is only 1-3) SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet 3-1 SU when losing the turnover battle.
The Northern Illinois defense has forced an average of 2.1 turnovers per game this season. Western Michigan is only 1-3 SU when turning the ball over at least 2.0 times in a game.
