Two teams that like to focus on their running games, Head Coach Rod Carey and the Northern Illinois Huskies (+8) are set to face off against the BYU Cougars (-8) at LaVell Edwards Stadium. This vital afternoon matchup is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and spectators can tune in to the action on ESPNU.
Northern Illinois Huskies at BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The Huskies approach this Saturday game as a big dog here and they’re currently receiving 8 points. The Huskies are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Cougars are -330. Some good live betting possibilities could present themselves during this game, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 44.5 points.
With the line opening at -8 and the O/U set initially at 45, this matchup’s betting odds have swayed slightly.
The Huskies have gained 1.6 units so far and are 3-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 1-6. The Cougars are up 0.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-3 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-5.
The Huskies have gone 4-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Cougars are also 4-3 SU.
The Huskies are coming off a 24-21 win over Ohio on October 13. The passing attack could’ve been more effective as Marcus Childers completed only 17 passes on 33 attempts for 145 yards. Childers (169 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack in the win. Jauan Wesley (six receptions, 61 yards) and D.J. Brown (four catches, 28 yards) shared the receiving duties.
BYU is coming off of a lopsided 49-23 win over Hawaii back in Week 7. The allowed the Rainbow Warriors to put up 248 yards through the air and 63 more on the ground. John Ursua had a good showing in the loss, posting 89 yards on nine catches for Hawaii. For BYU, Zach Wilson completed 16-of-24 passes for 194 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Lopini Katoa (83 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) and Riley Burt (59 yards on nine carries, one TD) mounted the ground game in the win while Aleva Hifo (three receptions, 45 yards, one TD) and Talon Shumway (three catches, 32 yards) led the receiving attack.
Northern Illinois has run the ball on 57.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while BYU has a rush percentage of 52.5 percent. The Huskies have run for 160 yards/game and have eight touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Cougars are logging 140 rush yards per game and have 12 total rushing TDs.
The Huskies offensive scheme has tallied 136 yards/game through the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Cougars have produced 190 pass yards per outing and have 10 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Northern Illinois has allowed 115 rush yards and 236 pass yards per game. The BYU defense has allowed 204.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 149.4 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Huskies have given up an ANY/A of 5.52 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars are yielding an ANY/A of 5.89.
Offensively, Childers is up to 806 passing yards this season, and has connected on 54 percent of his 185 attempts with seven passing scores and four interceptions. Childers has a 3.15 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.27 over the last two outings.
We expect the Northern Illinois offense to mix it up in this one. Marcus Childers (237 rushing yards, two rush TDs, 5 receiving yards on the year), Marcus Jones (152 rush yards, two rush TDs) and D.J. Brown (26 rush yards, one rush TD, 278 receiving yards, two TDs) have each played significant roles lately.
Tanner Mangum has completed 112-of-183 passes for 1,042 yards, five TDs and three INTs for BYU. His ANY/A stands at 5.04 for the year and 5.32 over his last two games.
We also expect the BYU offense to mix it up this Saturday. Talon Shumway, Lopini Katoa and Matt Bushman have combined to account for 368 total yards and two touchdowns over the last two games.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Northern Illinois Huskies vs. BYU Cougars
SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
When it comes to explosive plays, both teams have produced one pass play of 40 or more yards. The Huskies have have made two pass plays of 30+ yards while the Cougars have created five such plays.
The Northern Illinois defense has allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards, while BYU has given up three such plays.
Both teams have produced seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Northern Illinois offense has recorded 37 running plays of 10+ yards while BYU has accounted for 24 such plays.
The Huskies defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Cougars have given up six such runs.
The Northern Illinois defense has more than twice as many sacks as BYU this year (22 to 10).
Northern Illinois has produced 4.7 yards per carry over its past three games and 5.4 over its last two.
BYU has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.1 over its past two.
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