UMass Minutemen vs Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Pick & Prediction 10/5/24
Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb is the site for this week six non-conference matchup between the UMass Minutemen and Northern Illinois Huskies. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET, with the game being broadcast on CBSS. The Huskies are favored by -17.5 points, and the over/under line is currently at 44 points. Northern Illinois enters the game with a 2-2 record, while UMass is looking to improve on their 1-4 start to the season.
UMASS MINUTEMEN VS NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Northern Illinois Huskies -17.5
This game will be played at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium at 12:00 ET on Saturday, October 5th.
WHY BET THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES:
- We have the Northern Illinois Huskies winning this one by a score of 34 to 14
- Not only do we have the Northern Illinois Huskies winning straight-up, we have them covering the spread at -17.5
- Look for this game to go over the line of 44 points
Will The UMass Minutemen Pull Off An Upset As Road Underdogs
UMass heads into Week 6 against Northern Illinois with a 1-4 record, ranking 129th in our CFB power rankings. They have a 0.1% chance of being bowl-eligible this season. The Minutemen are 0-2 on the road and 0-1 at home.
UMass has been favored in just one game this season, with an average scoring margin of -11.8 points per game. Their ATS record stands at 1-2, going 1-1 on the road and 0-1 at home.
The over/under line for this week is 44 points. UMass games have averaged 49.8 points, with an average over/under line of 48.1 points. Their over/under record is 1-2, with four games having higher lines than this week’s total.
Heading into week 6, UMass is averaging 19 points per game, placing them 82nd in the nation. They are ranked 96th in our offensive power rankings. Their rushing game is a focal point, with 42.2 attempts per game, ranking 5th nationally, but they average just 137.2 rushing yards per game.
Jalen John leads the ground attack with 210 yards, averaging 3 yards per carry and scoring one touchdown. Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh has thrown for 1,017 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions, and has a passer rating of 82. Jakobie Keeney-James leads the receiving corps with 406 yards and three touchdowns.
UMass’s defense is allowing 30.8 points per game this season, including 23 points in their recent 23-20 loss to Miami (OH). They gave up 349 total yards, with 168 rushing yards on 36 carries and 181 passing yards, while also forcing one interception.
Opponents have averaged 124.6 rushing yards per game and 187.8 passing yards against UMass. Quarterbacks have completed 53.4% of their passes, ranking UMass 23rd nationally in completion percentage allowed.
Are The Northern Illinois Huskies Going To Defend Home Field Advantage?
At 2-2 this season, Northern Illinois is preparing to face UMass in Week 6. They’ve gone 1-1 on the road and are playing their first home game. Despite not being favored in any game, they have a +7.8 average scoring margin.
The Huskies are 2-0 against the spread and have covered both road games. They’ve been underdogs in two matchups and have a perfect ATS record as the underdog.
This week’s over/under line is 44 points. Northern Illinois games have averaged 45.8 points, with their average over/under line at 45.7 points. Their over/under record is 0-2 this season.
Northern Illinois enters week 6 averaging 26.8 points per game, placing them 64th in the nation. Our power rankings have them as the 75th best offense in college football. Their ground game is the focal point, with 42.8 rushing attempts per game, ranking 27th nationally, and they are averaging 198 rushing yards per game.
Antario Brown leads the rushing attack with 355 yards, averaging 4 yards per carry, and has scored two touchdowns. Quarterback Ethan Hampton has thrown for 879 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Northern Illinois ranks 31st in third-down conversions, converting 46% of their attempts.
Northern Illinois’ defense has been strong this season, ranking 22nd in the nation by allowing just 19 points per game. They’ve been particularly effective against the run, giving up only 91 rushing yards per game, which ranks 19th in the country. Opposing quarterbacks have averaged a passer rating of 83.4 and 145.5 passing yards per game against them, the 13th-lowest figure nationally.
In their recent game against NC State, Northern Illinois allowed just 176 total yards, including 68 rushing yards on 26 attempts and 108 passing yards. They also gave up 11 first downs and recorded no interceptions in the 24-17 loss.