The Northern Illinois Huskies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs meet in week 4 college football action from Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs prediction.
Northern Illinois Huskies Recap
The Northern Illinois Huskies come into this game looking to shake off a 20-9 loss at the hands of Maryland last time out to sit at 1-1 on the year. After this game, Northern Illinois will head home for a game against San Diego State.
Huskies Looking To Bounce Back From First Loss
Josh Holst has thrown for 192 yards and an interception on 65% passing while Chavon Wright leads the Huskies in rushing with 167 yards and a touchdown and Telly Johnson Jr. has 153 rushing yards with a touchdown as well this season. DeAree Rogers has a team-high 10 catches for 89 yards as well this season. On defense, Quinn Urwiler has a team-high 20 total tackles including 14 solo tackles while NIU’s defense as a whole has combined for 2 sacks and an interception so far this season.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Mississippi State has lost four of its last five September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northern Illinois has won six of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
- Mississippi State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northern Illinois has covered the spread in 13 of its last 17 games as an underdog.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Recap
The Mississippi State Bulldogs come into this game looking to add on to their 63-0 win over Alcorn State last time out to improve to 3-0 on the year. After this game, Mississippi State will take on the Tennessee Volunteers at home.
Bulldogs Looking To Remain Unbeaten
Blake Shapen has thrown for 724 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 68.8% passing while Fluff Bothwell leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 170 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns and Davon Booth has 127 rushing yards and a touchdown as well this season. Brenen Thompson has 15 receptions for 278 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns while Anthony Evans III has a team-high 17 catches for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. On defense, Isaac Smith and Nic Mitchell each have a team-high 18 total tackles while Will Whitson has a team-high 2 sacks. As a unit, Mississippi State has combined for 4 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs will win
- Mississippi State has won 15 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Davis Wade Stadium.
- Northern Illinois has lost each of its last seven September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Mississippi State has covered the spread in each of its last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Mississippi State’s last eight home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Northern Illinois’ last seven games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Prediction
I’m on Mississippi State in this one. I just really like how the Bulldogs have looked this season now that htey have health and stability at the quarterback position with Blake Shapen back in the fold. Northern Illinois has the potential to keep games close and put a scare into some teams, but I’m just not seeing it here as I don’t think that the Huskies can hang in the trenches with Mississippi State. I’ll roll with Mississippi State in this one.