The Eastern Michigan Eagles (+5) are set to take on their in-conference nemesis Northern Illinois Huskies (-5) at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN2 and this Tuesday game is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
In this early-week Mid-American game, Northern Illinois is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 5 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to put down $200 to win $100 back on the Huskies (-200). The Eagles are getting +170 moneyline odds. On the surface it appears that there should be some solid in-game betting scenarios for this showdown.
The Eagles have gained 1.1 units this season and are 4-6 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 6-3-1.
The Huskies have lost 2.6 units so far. The team is 6-4 ATS and the over’s hit in six of its games.
The Eagles have gone 5-5 straight up (SU), including 2-4 SU against conference opponents. The Huskies are 4-6 SU overall and 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Eagles are coming off a resounding 42-14 victory over Akron last week. The passing attack was on point as Mike Glass III completed 20-of-25 passes for 246 yards. Shaq Vann (142 yards on 28 rush attempts, four TDs) and the signal-caller Glass III (83 yards on eight carries, one TD) led the ground attack in the win. Mathew Sexton (four receptions, 76 yards) and Quian Williams (four catches, 38 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Northern Illinois is coming off of a 31-28 win over Toledo. The defense allowed the Rockets to pass for 300 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 208 yards. Shakif Seymour had a productive outing in the loss for Toledo, recording 133 rushing yards on 19 attempts. For Northern Illinois, Ross Bowers completed 15-of-26 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Tre Harbison (158 rushing yards on 32 attempts, one TD) and Marcus Childers (57 yards on five carries, two TDs) mounted the ground game in the win while Tyrice Richie (six receptions, 54 yards) and Cole Tucker (five catches, 37 yards) led the receiving corps.
Eastern Michigan has run the ball on 47.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Northern Illinois has an overall rush percentage of 52 percent. The Eagles have rushed for 114.7 yards/game (including 122.8 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have 16 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Huskies are totaling 128.8 rushing yards per game (158.2 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.
The Eagles offense has averaged 274.9 yards in the air overall (271.5 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing scores so far. The Huskies have put up 242.9 pass yards per contest (223 in the MAC) and have 11 total pass TDs.
Eastern Michigan has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 193.8 yards and pass for 241.4 yards per game. The Northern Illinois defense has allowed 208.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 177.9 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Eagles have given up an ANY/A of 7.42 to opposing QBs, while the Huskies are yielding an ANY/A of 7.41.
Offensively, Glass III is up to 2,142 passing yards this year, and has connected on 66 percent of his 280 attempts with 15 passing scores and eight interceptions. He has a 6.96 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 10.00 over the past two games.
We expect the Eastern Michigan offense to mix it up in this one. Shaq Vann (460 rushing yards, six rush TDs this season), Mathew Sexton (414 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Mike Glass III (274 rush yards, six rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) have all played significant roles of late.
Ross Bowers has completed 148-of-258 passes for 1,919 yards, six TDs and five INTs for Northern Illinois. His ANY/A sits at 6.22 for the season and 5.50 across his last two games.
Similar to the Eagles, expect a balanced approach offensively from Northern Illinois this Tuesday. Tre Harbison, Cole Tucker and Marcus Childers have combined for 406 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns the last two outings.
When these two schools met a year ago, Northern Illinois won by a field goal 26-23.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Northern Illinois Huskies NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Northern Illinois, ATS Winner: Northern Illinois
Team Betting Trends
- The Eagles offense has tallied six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Huskies have put up eight such plays.
- The Eastern Michigan defense has allowed 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Northern Illinois has given up six such plays.
- The Eastern Michigan offense has created seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Northern Illinois has created 12 such runs.
- The Eagles defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Huskies have given up 16 such runs.
- The Eastern Michigan defensive unit has 17 sacks on the year while Northern Illinois has 12.
- Eastern Michigan, as a team, has produced 4.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.7 over its last two.
- Northern Illinois has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.5 over its past two.
- Over its last three matches, Northern Illinois is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Eastern Michigan’s previous game was 44.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-14 victory over Akron.
- In its last three games, Eastern Michigan is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Northern Illinois’ last game was set at 55.5. The over cashed in that 31-28 win over Toledo.
