The Eastern Michigan Eagles and Northern Illinois Huskies meet Saturday in week 8 college football action at Huskie Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Preview 

The Eastern Michigan Eagles look for a third straight win to improve to 5-3 on the year. Eastern Michigan has won 5 of its last 8 road games. Austin Smith is completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 952 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Tanner Knue and Hamze El-Zayat have combined for 481 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, while JB Mitchell III has 18 receptions. The Eastern Michigan Eagles ground game is averaging 111.1 yards per contest, and Jaylon Jackson leads the way with 340 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Eastern Michigan is allowing 19.4 points and 389 yards per game. Joe Sparacio leads the Eastern Michigan Eagles with 81 tackles, Mikah Coleman has 4 sacks and Bennett Walker has 3 interceptions.

Eastern Michigan Eagles Team Facts

• The home team has won each of Eastern Michigan’s last seven games.
• Eastern Michigan has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Eastern Michigan has won the first half in six of its last eight games against conference opponents.
• Each of Eastern Michigan’s last four games as a road underdog against Northern Illinois have gone OVER the total points line.

Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview

The Northern Illinois Huskies look for a third straight win to get back to a .500 record. Northern Illinois has lost 7 of its last 8 home games. Rocky Lombardi is completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 1,187 yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Kacper Rutkiewicz and Grayson Barnes have combined for 530 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Davis Petterson has 13 receptions. The Northern Illinois Huskies ground game is averaging 160.1 yards per contest, and Antario Brown leads the way with 650 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Northern Illinois is allowing 22.4 points and 320.7 yards per game. Raishein Thomas leads the Northern Illinois Huskies with 39 tackles, George Gumbs has 3.5 sacks and Nate Valcarcel has 3 interceptions.

Northern Illinois Huskies Team Facts

• Northern Illinois has lost each of its last six games as a home favorite.
• Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games as a home favorite.
• Northern Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last six games against conference opponents at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium.
• Northern Illinois has won the first quarter in each of its last three home games against conference opponents.
• Each of Northern Illinois’ last four games as a home favorite against Eastern Michigan have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Eastern Michigan rank T38th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (20.3).

Randy’s Pick

I’m not running to the window to back the Eastern Michigan Eagles, as they’re arguably the worst offense in college football. Eastern Michigan is 132nd in total offense and 122nd in scoring offense. However, Eastern Michigan gets after it defensively and is coming off back to back wins over Ball State and Kent State. Also, Ball State has outright lost 8 of its last 9 games as a favorite, which includes a 1-2 SU record this year. I have to grab the points with Eastern Michigan on the road.