The Northern Illinois Huskies have scored fewer points than they’ve scored this season and are 8-3 on the year. Does something have to give against Western Michigan? Keep reading to check the college football odds and how you should be wagering at the top-rated sportsbooks. Let’s dig in.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 – 7:00 PM EST at Scheumann Stadium
The Buffalo Bulls are currently 4-7 on the year and won’t be making a bowl game. In the final game of the regular season, the Bulls might be checked out after losing three straight games in conference play. It’s been an emotionally draining season for the Bulls after losing their former head coach to Kansas. It’s a rebuilding process from here. Buffalo is still averaging 417.2 yards per game this season and have scored more points than given up with 31.5 points per game.
However, the defense is still giving up 433.3 yards and 30.8 points per game. This is mainly due to a terrible secondary. Despite what the box score and stats say, Buffalo’s been awful in the secondary. It’s been helped by a very good pass rush that has kept some quarterbacks in check. But for the most part, Buffalo’s been awful defensively.
On the other hand, Ball State is 5-6 on the year and playing for a potential bowl game in the final week of the season, at home. Drew Plitt has led this team at quarterback and has 16 touchdowns along with just five interceptions on the year. The offense hasn’t been very effective this year, scoring just 24.8 points per game along with 344.3 yards per game.
However, the run game has potential with 141.5 yards per game. It’s just that the offensive line hasn’t been much of a help. On defense, you will notice crisp tackling from Ball State and a pass rush that can be very effective. Again, Ball State, like Buffalo, doesn’t have the best of secondaries but they’ve been better than Buffalo. Therefore, I’ll ride with Ball State to get the job done at home to go to the postseason.
NCAAF Pick: Ball State -6.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 – 7:00 PM EST at Huskie Stadium
It’s been an interesting season in the MAC with Northern Illinois leading the Mid-American standings with a 6-1 record in conference play. This, despite only outsourcing their opponents by 20 points through all seven conference games this year.
Basically, Northern Illinois has been closing out close game after close game. You’ve got to give them some credit, but really, any team can go and beat Northern Illinois in this conference. Western Michigan will look to be that team, despite being 3-4 in conference play. Unlike Northern Illinois, Western Michigan continues to lose extremely tight games.
Defensively, the Broncos have been elite with their pass rush and could get pressure on the quarterback in Rocky Lombardi. On the other hand, the best trait defensively for Northern Illinois has been their tackling. Still, I’ve never seen a team scoreless points than give up on an entire season and still have an 8-3 record.
The analytics agree that Western Michigan is the better team. However, it’s close and Northern Illinois has been winning the tight ones while Western Michigan hasn’t. For my college football pick, I’ll take the points with Northern Illinois at home here.
NCAAF Pick: Northern Illinois +3.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.