Toledo vs. N. Illinois Prediction
Will Toledo be able to go on the road and win against the perennial MAC power in Northern Illinois when the two meet up tonight at 8PM ET on ESPN2?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Toledo is favored on the road tonight, as the Rockets are getting odds of -6.5 points against Northern Illinois. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 69 points. NIU has dominated the recent series, winning six straight meetings with Toledo while going 4-2 against the spread in those six games.
Bet on Toledo vs. Northern Illinois
Toledo is coming off a 48-17 win at Akron last week to move to 7-2 on the season and 4-1 in the MAC. The Rockets are also 6-3 against the spread this season, but just 2-3 ATS in MAC play. Toledo is led by its high-powered offense, as the Rockets are putting up 40.3 points and 553 yards per game. They are averaging 345 yards through the air as Logan Woodside has thrown for 3,042 yards and 34 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He has a top receiving target in Cody Thompson, who has 478 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. The Rockets also have a strong run game, led by Kareem Hunt, who has 926 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Toledo is giving up just 22.8 points and 384.4 yards per game.
Northern Illinois is coming off a 45-20 win over Bowling Green to move to 3-6 on the year and 3-2 in the MAC. The Huskies have won back-to-back games and are now 4-5 against the spread this season with a 4-1 mark ATS in the MAC. NIU has been struggling on defense most of the year, giving up 32 points and 459.1 yards per contest. They have struggled to stop the run in 2016, allowing nearly 200 yards per game. However, the offense has been improving and now is averaging 31.1 points and 462.9 yards per contest. The offense is balanced, averaging 236 rushing yards and 226 passing yards. Anthony Maddie has been a big part of the surge of NIU, as he has thrown for 1,213 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 644 yards and six scores. The Huskies also have Joel Bouagnon (644 yards) and Jordan Huff (466 yards) contributing to the run game. NIU also has a play-making receiver in Kenny Golladay, who has 65 catches for 880 yards and seven touchdowns.
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NIU has been playing well in the MAC, which isn’t too surprising. Even in their two conference losses, one was in OT and the other was a cover against Western Michigan on the road. Toledo had a surprising loss to Ohio a few weeks back and they were uncomfortably close with Bowling Green. With this game being at NIU, I expect the Huskies to be a tough out for the Rockets. Go with the home team to cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 11 PREDICTION: NORTHERN ILLINOIS +6.5