MAC Championship: NIU vs Kent State 12/4/21 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Northern Illinois Huskies meet the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday in the college football MAC Football Championship Game at Ford Field. The Kent State Golden Flashes look to win their second conference title in school history. The Northern Illinois Huskies look to win their 13th conference title in school history.

The Kent State Golden Flashes have lost five of their last seven non-home games. Dustin Crum is completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,794 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Dante Cephas and Keshunn Abram have combined for 1,643 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while Nykeim Johnson has 47 receptions. The Kent State Golden Flashes ground game is averaging 247.3 yards per contest, and Marquez Cooper leads the way with 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Kent State is allowing 34.6 points and 475.5 yards per game. Dean Clark leads the Kent State Golden Flashes with 91 tackles, CJ West has 5 sacks and Montre Miller has 4 interceptions.

The Northern Illinois Huskies have won four of their last six non-home games. Rocky Lombardi is completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 2,314 yards, 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Trayvon Rudolph and Tyrice Richie have combined for 1,367 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Cole Tucker has 33 receptions. The Northern Illinois Huskies ground game is averaging 231.7 yards per contest, and Jay Ducker leads the way with 892 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Northern Illinois is allowing 33.5 points and 453 yards per game. CJ Brown leads the Northern Illinois Huskies with 93 tackles, Devonte O’Malley has 3.5 sacks and Jaden Dolphin has 1 interception.

The Golden Flashes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Huskies are 2-14 ATS in their last 16 games in December and 5-17-1 ATS in their last 23 neutral site games. The over is 5-2 in Golden Flashes last 7 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games overall. The Golden Flashes are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings.

The Kent State Golden Flashes are probably the better football team here and won the first meeting this season, but the bottom lien is neither of these play a lick of defense. I’m not trying to back either side with the constant scoring they allow. Kent State is great offensively, but also 124th in total defense and 116th in scoring defense. NIU is one of the top rushing offenses in the country, but also 113th in total defense and 111th in scoring defense. When these clubs met last month, it produced a combined 99 points. Give me the over.