Central Michigan Chippewas (4-4) vs NIU Huskies (4-4)
October 31, 2023 at 07:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Central Michigan Chippewas +3.5 — Over/Under: 44.5
The Northern Illinois Huskies will play the Central Michigan Chippewas in a MAC game on Tuesday night at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Northern Illinois has won three games in a row, while Central Michigan has lost two of their last three games.
Northern Illinois Preview
The Northern Illinois Huskies are 4-4 (3-1) this season after they defeated Eastern Michigan by a score of 20-13 in their last game. Northern Illinois trailed 13-10 in the third quarter, but they scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for the win. The Huskies out gained EMU by a total of 289-257 and forced two turnovers in the game. NIU also defeated Akron and Ohio during this three game winning streak. The NIU offense is scoring 24.3 points per game with 189.3 passing yards per game and 154.3 rushing yards per game, while going 42.2% on third downs. Rocky Lombardi has thrown for 1,360 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions for the Huskies this season. Antario Brown has rushed for 676 yards and six scores, while Kacper Rutkiewicz (questionable) has caught 21 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns. The NIU defense is giving up 21.3 points against per game this year.
Central Michigan Preview
The Central Michigan Chippewas are 4-4 (2-2) this year after they lost to Ball State by a score of 24-17 in their last game. Central Michigan led 3-0 in the first quarter, but they trailed 10-3 at the half. Ball State was able to keep CMU at least seven points away for the entire second half. The Chippewas were out gained by a total of 344-260 and went 3-13 on third downs in the loss. Central Michigan did defeat Akron in the game before Ball State, but they lost to Buffalo in the game before that. The CMU offense is averaging 21.8 points per game with 188.4 passing yards per game and 138 rushing yards per game, while going 34.5% on third downs. Jase Bauer has thrown for 1,221 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions for the Chippewas this season. Myles Bailey (questionable) has rushed for 360 yards and three touchdowns, while Jesse Prewitt III has caught 26 passes for 379 yards and four scores. The Central Michigan defense is allowing 29.8 points against per game this season.
Central Michigan Chippewas Team Facts
- Central Michigan has won six of its last seven games as an underdog against Northern Illinois.
- Central Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games in October.
- Six of Central Michigan’s last seven games in October have gone UNDER the total points line.
Northern Illinois Huskies Team Facts
- Northern Illinois has lost eight of its last 10 games as a favorite.
- Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 11 games as a favorite.
- Northern Illinois has lost the first half in three of its last four road games against conference opponents.
- Each of Northern Illinois’ last four road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Pick
Both of these teams come into this game with a 4-4 record, but NIU is only one game behind Toledo for first place in the Division. Northern Illinois has won three games in a row and has allowed 14 points or fewer in all three games. Central Michigan has alternated wins and losses in MAC play, but they haven’t looked very sharp. CMU lost to Ball State, who is the third worst team in the conference and they defeated EMU and Akron, who are towards the bottom of the standings. Central Michigan struggles on the defensive side of the ball, but they also haven’t scored more than 17 points in three straight games. Take Northern Illinois here.