Arizona vs Northern Illinois Prediction Football Picks Today 9/19/26

In this article we will formulate an Arizona vs Northern Illinois prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 19th at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 3 matchup. 

Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview

The Arizona Wildcats are 1-1 this season after they lost to BYU by a score of 28-17 last week. Arizona led 17-14 at halftime, but they were outscored 14-0 in the second half for the loss. The Wildcats were out gained by a total of 365-327, went 5-12 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Noah Fifita threw for 230 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Cole Rusk caught two passes for 48 yards. Kedrick Reescano rushed 15 times for 49 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Arizona defeated Northern Arizona by a score of 35-7 in week one. The Wildcats have scored 26.0 points per game with 280.5 passing yards and 143.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 17.5 points against per game this season. Noah Fifita has thrown for 509 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while Giovanni Richardson has caught 14 passes for 161 yards this season. 

Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 0-2 this year after they lost to Illinois State by a score of 28-24 last week. Northern Illinois trailed 21-17 at halftime, but they led 24-21 in the fourth, before allowing a score with 1:53 left for the loss. The Huskies out gained Illinois State by a total of 308-254, went 6-15 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at two in the game. Taron Dickens threw for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while DeAree Rogers caught 11 passes for 74 yards and one score. Telly Johnson Jr rushed 22 times for 83 yards and one touchdown in the game. 

Prior to that loss, Northern Illinois lost to Iowa by a score of 40-0 in week one. The Huskies have scored 12.0 points per game with 154.5 passing yards and 59.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 34.0 points against per game this season. Taron Dickens has thrown for 289 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Telly Johnson Jr has rushed 30 times for 99 yards and one score this year. 

Why the Arizona Wildcats will win

• Northern Illinois has lost each of its last 10 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Arizona has won each of its last eight home games against non-conference opponents.
• Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games as an underdog.
• The favorite has covered the spread in seven of Northern Illinois’ last eight games.
• Northern Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last eight games as a road underdog.
• Arizona has won the first quarter in each of its last four home games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win

• The road team has won four of Northern Illinois’ last five games.
• The road team has covered the spread in four of Northern Illinois’ last five games.
• Arizona has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
• Arizona has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Northern Illinois has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Arizona’s last eight home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Northern Illinois’ last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Arizona Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Rodney Gallagher III ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Northern Illinois Huskies Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Yassine Falke ranks T5th amongst FBS players for interceptions (2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Arizona ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
• Arizona ranks T15th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (60.0).
• Northern Illinois ranks 137th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (17.0).
• Northern Illinois ranks T2nd among FBS teams for sacks this season (9.0).

Arizona vs Northern Illinois Prediction 

Northern Illinois comes into this matchup looking for their first win of the season, but they lost by 40 points to Iowa and lost to a FCS team so far. Arizona is coming of off a tough loss to BYU and they were shutout in the second half. The Wildcats are the much better team in this game and I expect them to score 50+ points. I also don’t think NIU will do much on the offensive side of the ball, so take Arizona to cover in this one.