The Northern Illinois Huskies invade Rynearson Stadium, in Ypsilanti, Michigan to play the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a mid-week MAC conference showdown. The contest between the two schools is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. ET. The ESPNU Network will be televising the game for your viewing entertainment. As of Monday, the Huskies are a -3 point favorite and the games total is set at 63.
In last year’s match-up, Northern Illinois racked up almost 600 yards of offense, including almost 350 yards via the ground. The offensive explosion was to much for the Eagles to overcome and they fell 49-21 in defeat on the road.
Northern Illinois (3-6):
The Huskies had won two games in a row before losing 31-24 to Toledo last week. The football game was played at a neutral site in a neutral-site at the Chicago White Sox’s ball park. The loss to Toledo put them out of bowl contention, snapping a MAC-record of eight straight bowl appearances.
In a bad twist of fate, quarterback Anthony Maddie was absent from the line-up against Toledo with an injury. Later, a hairline fracture in his leg was discovered, and Maddie has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Back-up quarterback Ryan Graham took over the reigns and threw three touchdown tosses while adding 97 more yards over the ground. Until further notice, the starting job is his for this contest and next week’s 2016 finale against Kent State.
With the inexperience at the quarterback position, a double-dose of running back Joel Bouagnon is coming. He will have his work cut out for him, going against the Eagles 46th ranked run defense in the nation. In 2016, he has toted the rock just under 150 times for 728 yards and six scores.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay was spectacular against the Toledo Rockets in last week’s affair. The senior wide out from North Dakota, caught 14 passes for 149 yards and a score. So far this year, Golladay has reeled in 80 catches for well over 1,000 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns.
The Huskies come into this game ranked ninth in the MAC conference in total defense. Now that the Huskies offense has come to life, they need to step it up or risk losing in shoot-outs. Especially the secondary, which surrenders 262 yards a game. They also are 106th in total defense in the country.
Eastern Michigan (6-3):
The Eagle’s football program has been anything special over the past two decades, but that’s not true of 2016. Eastern Michigan became bowl-eligible for the first time since 1995 with a come-from-behind, 48-41 win over Ball State last Wednesday.
The turn around from one season to the next is impressive, as the Eagles went just 1-11 last season. In fact, Eastern Michigan could play in their first bowl game since 1987 and put an end to the nation’s second-longest bowl drought.
Last week, quarterback Ben Brogan had a career game against the Ball State Cardinals. Altogether, he threw for a career-high-hast week 37 completions and 468 passing yards. He also tossed for three touchdowns and rallied his team from a 21-0 first quarter deficit. All told, he has completed 150 passes for 1855 yards with 13 touchdown and only three interceptions.
When Eastern Michigan looks to run the ball, they look no further than tail back Ian Eriksen. The stocky runner has had a productive season, rumbling for 570 yards on 145 carries and seven trips to pay-dirt.
Eastern Michigan is eighth in total defense, just one spot ahead of Northern Illinois in the MAC. The huge difference between the two team’s squads, is that the Eagles have found ways to limit the opposing school’s run game. Eastern Michigan only allows 144 yards per contest.
Trends and Notes:
The Huskies are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
The Eagles are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The Under is 7-2 in the Huskies last 9 conference games.
The Under is 6-2 in the Eagles last 8 games overall.
The Road team is 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 meetings.
Game Prediction:
After the season that Eastern Michigan has had, it’s a little surprising to see the Huskies coming into this game as favorites. Not only are they having to revert back to a quarterback they pulled half way through the season, but they’re on the road.
The Eagles will take that a little personally and come out fired-up for this MAC conference match-up. Quarterback Ben Brogan will be carrying over a lot of confidence from last week’s come-from-behind win. Northern Illinois secondary is worse that Ball States statistically.
Kenny Golladay is establishing himself as the MAC’s best receiver and Eastern Michigan’s secondary will find that out the hard way. Northern Illinois will become acquainted with the rugged and durable running back Ian Eriksen. That spells a whole lot of trouble for a front seven that gives up over 190 yards a game.
Once again, were staring at a home dog with a better record in another conference match-up. That smells like another home dog pick to me. There’s nothing wrong with that play, but the over is just too good to pass up. Take the over 63 in a high-scoring MAC shoot-out on Wednesday night.
