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At 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, the Northern Illinois Huskies (3-4) are at home against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-3).
The Eagles are expected to lose by at least two scores (currently +12) versus the Huskies (with an over/under of 43.5 points).
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Game Info for Northern Illinois vs. Eastern Michigan
- Game Day: Saturday, October 21, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Location: DeKalb, Illinois
- Stadium: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | -12 | -109 | -111 | 43.5 | -109 | -111 | -481 | +360 |
Northern Illinois Pick Insights
- So far this season, Northern Illinois has compiled a 4-3-0 record against the spread.
- Northern Illinois games have hit the over on four of seven occasions (57.1%).
Northern Illinois Stats & Insights
- On defense, Northern Illinois has been a top-25 unit, ranking 23rd-best by surrendering just 320.7 yards per game. The offense ranks 94th (351.3 yards per game).
- On offense, Northern Illinois ranks 90th in the FBS with 24.9 points per game. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 48th in points allowed (320.7 points allowed per contest).
- Northern Illinois has struggled in the passing game, ranking 25th-worst in the FBS (191.6 passing yards per game) this season. However, the defense ranks ninth-best on defense, giving up just 166 passing yards per game.
- Northern Illinois is averaging 159.7 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 60th in the FBS. The team’s defensive unit ranks 87th, surrendering 154.7 rushing yards per contest.
- Northern Illinois is averaging a 41.1% third-down conversion rate on offense (60th in the FBS), and ranks 49th on defense with a 35.7% third-down percentage allowed.
- With 10 forced turnovers (47th in the FBS) against nine turnovers committed (61st in the FBS), Northern Illinois’ +1+1 turnover margin ranks 50th in college football.
Northern Illinois’ Best Players
- Rocky Lombardi has thrown for 1,187 yards (169.6 ypg) to lead Northern Illinois, completing 57.1% of his passes and collecting six touchdown passes compared to four interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Antario Brown, has carried the ball 105 times for 648 yards (92.6 per game), scoring five times.
- Gavin Williams has been handed the ball 48 times this year and racked up 197 yards (28.1 per game) with three touchdowns.
- Kacper Rutkiewicz’s team-leading 313 yards as a receiver have come on 20 catches (out of 38 targets) with two touchdowns.
- Grayson Barnes has hauled in 11 receptions totaling 211 yards, finding the end zone two times as a receiver so far this campaign.
- Davis Patterson has compiled 13 catches for 160 yards, an average of 22.9 yards per game.
- George Gumbs has 3.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has three TFL and 23 tackles.
- Northern Illinois’ top-tackler, Raishein Thomas, has 31 tackles, one TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
- Nate Valcarel has picked off a team-high three passes. He also has 14 tackles and three passes defended to his name.
Eastern Michigan Betting Insights
- Eastern Michigan’s ATS record is 4-2-0 this year.
- Eastern Michigan is 1-0 against the spread so far this season when playing as at least 12-point underdogs.
- Out of Eastern Michigan’s six games with a set total, two have hit the over (33.3%).
Eastern Michigan Pick Insights
- Eastern Michigan ranks second-worst in total yards per game (253.1), but it has been better defensively, ranking 85th in the FBS with 389 total yards allowed per contest.
- Eastern Michigan has been struggling on offense, ranking 12th-worst in the FBS with 19 points per game. It has been better defensively, allowing 19.4 points per contest (29th-ranked).
- Eastern Michigan ranks seventh-worst in passing yards per game on offense (142), but at least it has been dominating on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in passing yards allowed per contest (185.7).
- Eastern Michigan has been outplayed on both sides of the ball in terms of rushing this season, ranking 19th-worst in rushing yards (111.1 per game) and seventh-worst in rushing yards surrendered (203.3 per game).
- Eastern Michigan ranks 17th-worst in third-down conversion rate (31.5%), but it has been more effective defensively, ranking 29th in the FBS with a 33.3% third-down rate allowed.
- Eastern Michigan has fared really well in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +5 ranks 21st-best in the FBS, with 12 forced turnovers (20th in the nation) and seven turnovers committed (35th in the nation).
Eastern Michigan’s Best Players
- Austin Smith has racked up 952 yards on 57.3% passing while collecting six touchdown passes with three interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 119 yards with one score.
- Jaylon Jackson has rushed for 340 yards on 70 carries so far this year while scoring one time on the ground.
- Samson Evans has compiled 331 yards on 74 carries with five touchdowns.
- Tanner Knue leads his team with 295 receiving yards on 30 receptions with three touchdowns.
- Hamze Elzayat has collected 186 receiving yards (26.6 yards per game) and two touchdowns on 11 receptions.
- JB Mitchell III has racked up 174 reciving yards (24.9 ypg) and one touchdown this season.
- Mikah Coleman paces the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL and 14 tackles.
- Joseph Sparacio, Eastern Michigan’s top tackler, has 38 tackles, one TFL, and one sack this year.
- Bennett Walker has a team-high three interceptions to go along with seven tackles and three passes defended.
