Huskies vs Cardinals NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
There was every reason to think the Huskies program might slide after last year success especially because they graduated do everything QB Chandler Harnish.
Northern Illinois Huskies (4-1) vs Ball State Cardinals (3-2)
Saturday October 6
Scheumann Stadium – Muncie, IN
3:00PM
Moneyline: Northern Illinois -140, Ball State +120 at TopBet.eu
Spread: Northern Illinois -2.5
O/U: 67.5
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Northern Illinois
However, they are just a couple of pointsaway (lost by 1 against Iowa) from a perfect season and should be a factor in the MAC race once again.
They are 1-0 in the conference and a win this week will create some distance between them and fellow MAC West leader Toledo and the rest of the pack.
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QB Jordan Lynch has proven to be a very capable replacement for Harnish. Like his predecessor he is leading the team in both rushing and passing. The one downfall is his precision as a passer. The junior hadn’t seen much game action prior to this season and has catching up to do.
If he had been even a smidge better against Iowa (6 for 16, 54 yards) we might be looking at the Huskies as potential BCS busters in DeKalb.
Northern Illinois prides itself as being a Big Ten team trapped in the MAC.
They are big and physical and can run over teams when things are going well. Northern Illinois has won the last three but only covered once. With the short number I think there is good value on the UNI side.
They have won 4 of the last 5 at Ball State.
Ball State
Ball State is off to a good start. Both of their losses were on the road and they were able to tip a couple of BCS opponents in Indiana and South Florida.
Last week they lost a tough one against Kent State on the road. The Golden Flashes kicked a FG with 6 second left to win and it will be important for the Cardinals to have a short memory with the Huskies coming to town. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ball State will be looking for revenge and they might have the team to get it.
The Cardinals have been putting points on the board – they haven’t scored less than 27 in a game this year.
They have been giving up too many though too. A shootout with the Huskies is not ideal but QB Keith Wenning has been improved this year, completing close to 65% of his passes. Last year’s game was won by UNI thanks to more than 300 yards on the ground.
Ball State can’t let that happen again on their home turf.
Being an underdog at home in a conference game never sits well. I haven’t seen much of Ball State this season but they have to know that this game is make or break for their season.
Win and you are a conference contender, lose and you are fighting for bowl eligibility the rest of the way.
The motivation should be there but I still see them coming up short.
Spread Pick: Northern Illinois -2.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Northern Illinois 38 – Ball State 24
