| MATCHUP | Northern Illinois Huskies | Iowa Hawkeyes |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +31.5 -115 | -31.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | +5000 | -100000 |
| Total | Over 44.5 (-110) | Under 44.5 (-110) |
| Where | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:15 PM EDT | |
| TV | BTN | |
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
Northern Illinois won three games last season and begins the Rob Harley era. Northern Illinois has missed a bowl trip in four of its last seven seasons.
NIU has a couple of capable quarterbacks who can lead the offense, but running back Telly Johnson returns after a solid season and wide receiver Cam Thompson transfers from Mississippi State. This is a ground-and-pound offense that also has a couple of returning starters along the offensive line. Northern Illinois has limited returning starters on defense, and it can take time adjusting to a 4-2-5 scheme. Defensive back Avery Jones will be a key piece to this side of the ball. A lot of roster turnover, and it’s going to take time adjusting to the MWC.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
Iowa won nine games last season and enters year 28 under coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has missed a bowl trip just twice since the 2008 season.
Iowa has an active quarterback competition, but we know the Hawkeyes will be a run-first offense anyway. There’s a strong RB group with Kamari Moulton and L.J. Phillips, and they’ll want to lean on them a lot this season. Iowa is a team that has yet to change its stripes. Defensively, Phil Parker is the longest-tenured DC in the country. Zach Lutmer returns after 71 tackles and 7 pass deflections. Iowa should be a similar team it always is. Strong defensively and rely on the ground game offensively. Bully ball. It’s made Iowa one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten over the last three decades. No reason to stop now.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won each of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northern Illinois has lost nine of its last 10 games in September.
- Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games as an underdog.
- The favorite has covered the spread in five of Northern Illinois’ last six games.
- Northern Illinois has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games as a road underdog.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Northern Illinois has won six of its last seven season openers.
- Northern Illinois has covered the spread in each of its last seven road openers as an underdog.
- Iowa has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five September games as an AP-ranked team.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Iowa’s last seven September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Northern Illinois’ last four games have gone OVER the total points line.
Iowa Hawkeyes Player Prop Facts
- Kamari Moulton ranked 8th in the Big Ten Conference for rushing attempts (170) last season.
Northern Illinois Huskies Player Prop Facts
- Jake Ference ranked 4th in the Mid-American Conference amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (43.7) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Iowa ranked 7th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game last season (3.3).
- Iowa ranked 8th among FBS teams for points allowed per game last season (16.1).
- Northern Illinois ranked 133rd among FBS teams for 1st downs last season (181).
- Northern Illinois ranked 132nd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (3.6).
Northern Illinois vs Iowa Prediction
Not an easy spot for Northern Illinois to ease into the season, but I’m also not a fan of laying massive numbers with an Iowa offense that always has a limited passing game. I’m ot sure Iowa has the horses to blow teams out. This is also a look-ahead spot for Iowa with Iowa State on deck. I love Iowa’s play style in that it has a lot of old-school roots. I’m just not excited to lay this number with a sluggish offense. It’s NIU and the points per pass for me.