NIU Huskies (1-1) vs. Michigan Wolverines (2-0)
September 18, 2021 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan Wolverines -27 / NIU Huskies +27; Over/Under: 54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Michigan Wolverines meet the Northern Illinois Huskies and Saturday in week 3 college football action at Michigan Stadium. The Northern Illinois Huskies look for a statement win to get a game above a .500 record. The Michigan Wolverines look for another win after beating Western Michigan and Washington.
The Northern Illinois Huskies have lost five of their last seven road games. Rocky Lombardi is completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Tyrice Richie and Cole Tucker have combined for 187 receiving yards on 14 catches while Trayvon Rudolph has two receptions. The Northern Illinois Huskies ground game is averaging 204.5 yards per contest, and Harrison Waylee leads the way with 323 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Northern Illinois is allowing 35.5 points and 412 yards per game. Lance Deveaux Jr. leads the Northern Illinois Huskies with 20 tackles, Devonte O’Malley has 1.5 sacks and Jordan Gandy three pass deflections.
The Michigan Wolverines look for their first 3-0 start since the 2017 CFB season. Cade McNamara is completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 180 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Ronnie Bell and Daylen Baldwin have combined for 145 receiving yards and two touchdowns while Cornelius Johnson has three receptions. The Michigan Wolverines ground game is averaging 339 yards per contest, and Blake Corum leads the way with 282 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Michigan is allowing 12 points and 326.5 yards per game. Josh Ross leads the Michigan Wolverines with 17 tackles, Aidan Hutchinson has 3.5 sacks and Brad Hawkins has three pass deflections.
The Huskies are 38-17-2 ATS in their last 57 road games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games. The Wolverines are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. MAC and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 5-0 in Huskies last 5 vs. Big Ten. The over is 45-22-1 in Wolverines last 68 games overall.
The Northern Illinois Huskies have been horrible defensively and heading into the Big House isn’t all that encouraging. However, this could be a letdown spot for Michigan fresh off a win over Washington. Also, Michigan has failed too over 12 of its last 15 games as a favorite of 21 or more points. Also, Michigan lost outright (Michigan State) the last time it was favored by 21 or more points. Michigan hasn’t been great at covering big numbers over the years. This is a lot of points. Give me NIU in the underdog role.
