Eastern Illinois vs Northwestern Prediction College Football Picks 9/14/24

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats are 1-1 this season after they lost to Duke by a score of 26-20 in double overtime in their last game. Northwestern scored the only points in the second quarter to take a 10-7 halftime lead and they led 13-10 in the fourth, but they allowed Duke to tie the game with 14 seconds left. Both teams scored in the first overtime, but Northwestern failed to find the end zone in the second. The Wildcats were outgained by a total of 342-288, turned the ball over two times, and went just 3-16 on third down in the loss. Mike Wright threw for 158 yards and one interception, while Cam Porter rushed for 94 yards and two scores. 

Northwestern defeated Miami-OH by a score of 13-6 in their first game of the season, but they struggled to move the ball in that game as well. The Northwestern offense is scoring 16.5 points per game with 168 passing yards and 140 rushing yards per game, while the defense is allowing 16 points per game this year. The Wildcats are 29.6% on third down this season and 0-1 on fourth down. Mike Wright is completing 57.6% of his passes for 336 yards and one interception, while Cam Porter has rushed for 157 yards and two scores. 

Why Northwestern will cover

• Northwestern has won five of its last six games after coming off overtime.
• Northwestern has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Why Eastern Illinois will cover

• Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four home games against non-FBS teams.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Northwestern's last six home games against non-FBS teams has gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northwestern ranks T27th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (5.0).
• Northwestern ranks T27th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (4.5).

Eastern Illinois vs Northwestern Prediction 

Northwestern lost a very close game against Duke last week, but they should be able to bounce back against a lesser opponent here. The Wildcats had some opportunities to score more points against Duke, but the offense has been disappointing in the first two games. On the other side, the Northwestern defense has been pretty strong and should have no problem slowing down this EIU offense. I don’t like what I have seen from the Northwestern offense, but I also don’t think Eastern Illinois will contribute many points, so I like the under in this matchup.