NIU vs. EMU Prediction
Will Eastern Michigan pull off the small upset tonight when it hosts Northern Illinois at 8:00PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Eagles are now 2.5-point home underdogs versus the Huskies after opening as a 4-point dog. As for the total, the number hit the board at 62.5 but has been bet up a half-point to 63.
View Tonight’s College Football Games
NORTHERN ILLINOIS KEY TRENDS: The Huskies have not been a good bet of late, covering just four times in their last 13 games overall. They’ve also struggled against opponents with winning records, going 2-8 against the number in their last 10 games versus winning foes. That said, they’re 21-7-2- at the betting window in their last 30 road games and are 12-5-1 against the number in their last 18 conference games.
EASTERN MICHIGAN KEY TRENDS: The Eagles have covered in seven of their last eight games overall, are 6-1 against the number in their last seven conference games and are 5-1 at the betting window in their last six games coming off an ATS win. That said, they’re just 16-36 against the spread in their last 52 home games and are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games versus opponents with a losing record.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS:Scores & Matchups|Injuries|Odds Comparison|Betting Trends|ATS Stats|Standings
OUR PREDICTION: The Huskies are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven road games versus the Eagles and are 5-2-1 at the betting window in their last eight games versus EMU overall. That said, I’m struggling to understand why NIU is favored tonight on the road. Coach Rod Carey announced Sunday that quarterback Anthony Maddie’s season is official over after he suffered an injury on Novemeber 1 versus Bowling Green. That means sophomore Ryan Graham, who lost his starting job to Maddie earlier in the year, will start under center for NIU. Granted, Graham went 24-for-43 for 227 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while also rushing for 97 yards in the Huskies loss last week to Toledo, but only pride is on the line tonight for NIU, which isn’t bowl eligible at 3-7. The Eagles, meanwhile, are led by experienced quarterback Brogan Roback and are having a rather magical season given their history. Last week they trailed Ball State 21-0 in the first quarter and rallied to win 48-41 as a 1-point road pup. I wouldn’t be surprised if EMU wins this game outright.
WEDNESDAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: EASTERN MICHIGAN +2.5