NIU Huskies (2-5) vs. Ohio Bobcats (4-3)
October 22, 2022 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Ohio Bobcats +2.5 / NIU Huskies -2.5; Over/Under: 65.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio Bobcats and Northern Illinois Huskies clash Saturday in week 8 MAC college football action at Peden Stadium. The Northern Illinois Huskies look to rebound from a 2-5 record. The Ohio Bobcats look to build on back to back victories.
The Northern Illinois Huskies have split their last 10 road games. Ethan Hampton is completing 59 percent of his passes for 798 yards, 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Cole Tucker and Kacper Rutkiewicz have combined for 818 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Shemar Thornton has 16 receptions. The Northern Illinois Huskies ground game is averaging 193 yards per contest, and Harrison Waylee leads the way with 630 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Northern Illinois is allowing 34.3 points and 394.1 yards per game. Daveren Rayner leads the Northern Illinois Huskies with 64 tackles, Michael Kennedy has 4.5 sacks and Eric Rogers has 2 interceptions.
The Ohio Bobcats have won 4 of their last 5 home games. Kurtis Rourke is completing 70 percent of his passes for 2,208 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Sam Wiglusz and Jacoby Jones have combined for 882 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while James Bostic has 17 receptions. The Ohio Bobcats ground game is averaging 113.4 yards per contest, and Sieh Bangura leads the way with 433 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio is allowing 36.9 points and 528.6 yards per game. Keye Thompson leads the Ohio Bobcats with 50 tackles, Bryce Houston has 2.5 sacks and Zack Sanders has 2 interceptions.
The Huskies are 45-20-2 ATS in their last 67 road games and 8-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Bobcats are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 home games and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in October. The over is 7-1 in Huskies last 8 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Bobcats last 7 games overall. The Huskies are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
This line is rather confusing when you consider the NIU Huskies have issues stringing together consistent offense, and it impacts the defense over the course of a game. The Ohio Bobcats have played their best ball at home this season, and they’re an explosive offensive team with the 13th best passing attack. We’re getting free points with Ohio at home in a game it could easily win outright. I’ll take a stab with the home dog here.
