NIU (4-2) vs Toledo (4-2)
Game Info: Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium)
Betting Odds: NIU -3 / Toledo +3 --- Over/Under: 46 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Toledo Rockets and the Northern Illinois Huskies meet in week 8 college football action from Huskie Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Toledo vs. Northern Illinois prediction.
Toledo Recap
The Toledo Rockets come into this one looking to rebound after taking one on the chin in a 30-15 loss to Buffalo last time out, falling to 4-2 on the year. After this game, Toledo will head home for a big matchup against Bowling Green.
Rockets Trying To Hold Serve Atop MAC
Tucker Gleason has thrown for 1,325 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 61.6% passing while John Alan Richter has thrown for 304 yards and 3 TDs on 75.9% passing. Connor Walendzak has 189 rushing yards to lead the Rockets, while Jerjuan Newton has a team-high 517 receiving yards coming on 31 receptions with 7 touchdowns. Junior Vandeross III has a team-high 34 grabs for 398 yards and 3 TDs and three more Rockets have 100+ receiving yards on the year. Maxen Hook leads the Rockets with 50 total tackles including 30 solo tackles while Braden Awls has a team-high 3 interceptions. As a unit, Toledo has combined for 15 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Toledo Rockets will win
- The underdog has won three of Toledo's last four games.
- Northern Illinois has lost eight of its last 12 games as a home favorite.
- Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the last five games between Toledo and Northern Illinois.
Northern Illinois Recap
The Northern Illinois Huskies come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 17-7 win over Bowling Green last time out, improving to 4-2 on the year as a result. After this game, NIU will head on the road for a matchup with Ball State.
NIU Trying To Get Into Driver’s Seat In MAC Race
Ethan Hampton has thrown for 932 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 59.1% passing while Gavin Williams has a team-high 409 rushing yards and Antario Brown has 401 rushing yards as well on the year. Brown also has a team-high 204 receiving yards while Grayson Barnes has a team-high 15 receptions for 160 yards and Cam Thompson has 164 receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Jaden Dolphin has a team-high 33 total tackles while Nevaeh Sanders and Roy Williams each have a team-high 4.5 sacks and Devonte O’Malley has 3.5 sacks this season.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Northern Illinois has won six of its last seven home games in October.
- Toledo has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six October road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Toledo's last three games.
Toledo vs. Northern Illinois Prediction
I’m on NIU here. I just trust this Northern Illinois defense to be the difference here, whether it’s Gleason back under center, who has been careless with the interceptions this season, or Richter, who was solid in relief but is relatively unproven. I like the makeup of this NIU team and think there’s more than enough here for the Huskies to get the job done. Give me Northern Illinois.
Chris’s Pick Northern Illinois -3
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
