In a battle featuring two teams that like to run the football, Huskies (-4) are set to welcome their in-conference counterpart Ohio Bobcats to Northern Illinois. Kickoff for this keygame is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and interested parties can catch the action live on ESPN+.
Ohio Bobcats vs. Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
Ohio is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 4 points in this MAC game. The Bobcats are also receiving +155 moneyline odds while the Huskies are -175. There might be multiple good in-game betting scenarios in this match.
The line initially opened at -4 but has recently moved.
The Bobcats have gained 0.0 units so far in 2018 and are 2-3 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an O/U mark of 3-1. The Huskies are up 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-3 ATS and own an O/U record of 1-5.
The Bobcats are 3-2 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against conference opponents. The Huskies are 3-3 SU overall and 3-0 SU in conference play.
Each team enters the matchup on a two-game undefeated streak. The Bobcats just pulled off a 27-26 win over Kent State last week. The Bobcats defense allowed the Golden Flashes to run for 201 yards on 36 rush attempts. On the offensive side, Nathan Rourke completed 18 passes on 20 attempts for 284 yards, along with one score and a pick. A.J. Ouellette (72 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Rourke (49 yards on 15 carries, one TD) spearheaded the ground attack. Papi White (five receptions, 89 yards) and Andrew Meyer (four catches, 90 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Northern Illinois is coming off of a 24-16 win over Ball State. Marcus Childers completed 18-of-29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tre Harbison (48 rushing yards on 15 attempts, two TDs) and Marcus Jones (130 yards on 12 carries) handled the running game while D.J. Brown (seven receptions, 49 yards, one TD) and Dennis Robinson (three catches, 27 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Each squad sports a strikingly similar (58-42) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Bobcats have produced 204 rush yards/game and have 13 scores on the ground this year. The Huskies haven’t been quite as productive. They’re averaging 144 rushing yards per game (214 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Bobcats offensive scheme has averaged 251 yards in the air overall and has nine passing TDs so far. The Huskies have produced 134 pass yards per outing (122.7 in the MAC) and have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, Ohio has allowed 145 rush yards and 364 pass yards per game. The Northern Illinois defense has given up 229.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 126.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Huskies are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.17 to opponents, while the Bobcats have given up a staggering 8.90 ANY/A.
Offensively, Rourke is up to 752 passing yards on the year, and has completed 48-of-86 attempts with four passing scores and two interceptions. He’s got a 7.34 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.78 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Ohio in this one. Nathan Rourke (202 rushing yards, two rush TDs, 0 receiving yards on the year), A.J. Ouellette (236 rush yards, three rush TDs, 73 receiving yards) and Papi White (397 receiving yards, two TDs) have each played key roles of late.
Marcus Childers has completed 81-of-146 passes for 683 yards, seven TDs and three INTs for Northern Illinois. His ANY/A sits at a minuscule 3.35 for the year and 2.13 over his last two games.
We’re looking for the Huskies to control tempo by feeding the ball-carriers early and often. Jauan Wesley (182 receiving yards, two TDs this season) has contributed lately, but Tre Harbison (283 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Marcus Jones (231 rush yards) have been significant focal points in the Northern Illinois offense.
These two conference adversaries did not get a chance to face each other last year.
RELATED: Week 7 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Tip: Ohio Bobcats at Northern Illinois Huskies
SU Winner – Ohio, ATS Winner – Ohio
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Northern Illinois defense has created double the sack total of Ohio this season (18 versus nine).
Northern Illinois has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the Ohio offense has let six get away.
The Bobcats offense has tallied three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Huskies have put up one such play.
The Ohio defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Northern Illinois has given up three such plays.
The Ohio offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Northern Illinois has created three such runs.
The Bobcats defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Huskies have given up three such runs.
Northern Illinois was getting 3 points in its previous outing and the O/U was set at 53.5. The under cashed and Northern Illinois covered in that 24-16 win over Ball State.
In its last three games, Northern Illinois is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three games, Ohio is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Ohio was the underdog by 12 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 70. The under cashed and Ohio covered in the 27-26 victory over Kent State.
Ohio has averaged 5.96850393700787 yards per carry over its past three games and 6.4 over its last two.
Northern Illinois has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.4 over its past two.
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