– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – MAC – Huskies
Looking for 2017 Northern Illinois Huskies predictions? The Huskies are looking to get back to winning in 2017. Last year they suffered their first losing season since 2008. With a lot of success since then this is a group that is not accustomed to that position. In the MAC it can be easy to make fast gains.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Northern Illinois Huskies
- Head Coach: Rod Carey
2015 Record: 5-7
Northern Illinois Huskies Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +100000- Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
- ***More 2017 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
The Huskies are no longer feared in the MAC. This season will go a long way to understanding if the last couple of season are a blip or an erosion.
2017 Northern Illinois Huskies Predictions: Team Strengths
Left Side, Strong Side: Over the course of their recent success the Huskies have had big physical offensive lines that could punish opponents.
This season they have a great start to an effective line with returning starters at left tackle, left guard and center. Junior tackle Max Scharping is all MAC worthy.
TE Shane Wimann is also good enough to get on the All MAC team too and at close to 25o pounds will help the running game.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The Huskies like to run and even though there is less experience in the backfield they should be pretty strong up front.
Secondary Rebound: Shawn Lurry is an all conference CB who had 9 interceptions two seasons ago. Last year that total fell to three. He is capable of being the best CB in the conference and needs to play like it.
Two starters return at safety in Trequan Smith and Mycial Allen. Neither packs a punch on run defense but they can cover and have to make more plays in the passing game to get the Huskies off the field.
Even though the Huskies favour a balanced attack when they have the ball they should be ready to defend the spread offenses that they are going to see in the MAC West.
2017 Northern Illinois Huskies Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Who’s Running the Show?: Northern Illinois has had a number of great quarterbacks over the last decade. Tough runners who could also throw.
Last season 4 signal callers threw at least 30 passes, a signal of the unsettled nature of the position.
Junior Ryan Graham appears to be the starter heading into the season. He might fit the physical type but he is relatively untested.
Check out the free College football picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Last season the Huskies had a terrible time stopping the run, giving up 250ypg on the ground.
They are hoping to turn that around but that might be unfounded hope. Only three starters return from the front seven and it is not like Huskies recruit at the highest level.
When they give up long drives it makes it harder for their offense to maintain the balance they want.
Northern Illinois Huskies Prediction: 5-7
I am not seeing much improvement in record for the Huskies this season.
When they were good they used to be a real threat to power conference teams but this year I don’t see it. Boston College at home and at Nebraska look like losses. Ditto for a trip to San Diego State, the reigning champs of the Mountain West.
In MAC play they are stuck in the MAC West which is the stronger of the two divisions. They get Western Michigan at home but have to travel to Toledo and Central Michigan.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Put that all together and they are probably a .500 team in the conference and below that outside which is how you get that record. Not expecting a lot of upsets.
2017 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Schedule
- 9/1/17 9:30 PM ET BC
- 9/9/17 3:30 PM ET EIU
- 9/16/17 12:00 PM ET @NEB
- 9/30/17 10:30 PM ET @SDSU
- 10/7/17 3:30 PM ET KENT
- 10/14/17 TBD @BUFF
- 10/21/17 TBD @BGSU
- 10/26/17 TBD EMU
- 11/2/17 TBD @TOL
- 11/9/17 TBD BALL
- 11/15/17 TBD WMU
- 11/24/17 TBD @CMU
What do you think about our 2017 Northern Illinois Huskies predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
The 2017 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.