Northern Illinois vs Ohio Prediction 10/18/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Northern Illinois Huskies and the Ohio Bobcats meet in week 8 college football action from Sanford Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Ohio Bobcats prediction.

Northern Illinois Huskies Recap

The Northern Illinois Huskies come into this game looking to bounce back from a 16-10 loss at the hands of Eastern Michigan last time out to sit at 1-5 this season. After this game, Northern Illinois will head home for a game against Ball State.

Northern Illinois Drops 5 In A Row

Josh Holst has thrown for 376 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions on 59.7% passing while Telly Johnson Jr. has 417 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns and Chavon Wright also has 314 rushing yards and a touchdown as well this season. DeAree Rogers has a team-high 28 catches for 289 yards and a touchdown as well this season. On defense, Quinn Urwiler has a team-high 70 total tackles including 36 solo tackles while NIU’s defense as a whole has combined for 7 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.

Ohio Bobcats Recap

The Ohio Bobcats come into this game looking to bounce back from a 20-14 loss at the hands of Ball State last time out to slip to 3-3 this season. After this game, Ohio will head on the road for a game against Eastern Michigan.

Bobcats Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped

Parker Navarro has thrown for 1,266 yards, 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 64.1% passing while also rushing for 398 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Sieh Bangura has a team-high 481 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns while Duncan Brune has 241 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Chase Kendricks has a team-high 37 receptions for 585 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead Ohio’s receiving group. On defense, Michael Molnar has a team-high 52 total tackles and 1.5 sacks while Michael Mack II and Cameron Hollobaugh each have a pair of interceptions and Jay Crable has a team-high 4 sacks. As a unit, Ohio’s defense has combined for 11 sacks and 7 interceptions this season.

Northern Illinois Huskies @ Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends: Week 8

Why the Ohio Bobcats will win

• Ohio has won each of its last 10 games at Peden Stadium.
• Northern Illinois has lost each of its last five games.
• Ohio has covered the spread in each of its last six home games against conference opponents.
• Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against conference opponents.
• Ohio has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Ohio has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 games against conference opponents at Peden Stadium.

Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win

• Northern Illinois has won each of its last six October games as a road underdog.
• Ohio has lost four of its last five games against teams from Illinois.
• The underdog has covered the spread in each of the last five games between Northern Illinois and Ohio.
• Ohio has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games in October.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Northern Illinois’ last six games as a road underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Six of Ohio’s last seven October games as a home favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Ohio Bobcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 8, Chase Hendricks leads the Mid-American Conference for receptions (37) this season.

Northern Illinois Huskies Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 8, Quinn Urwiler leads the league for tackles (70) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ohio ranks 128th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (73.3).
• Ohio ranks 124th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (-4.5).
• Northern Illinois has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team this season (1).
• Northern Illinois ranks 135th among FBS teams for points per game this season (10.8).

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Ohio Bobcats Prediction

I’m on Ohio here. It’s a big number, but Northern Illinois is one of the worst offensive units in the MAC and I don’t think they’re going to be able to go score for score with Ohio in this game. The Bobcats have had no problems putting points up, and I think this is a game that Ohio just runs away in to get a nice confidence boosting win. Give me the Bobcats.