Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan Predictions
Northern Illinois is on the road playing Western Michigan at the Waldo Stadium stadium on Wednesday, 11/9/2022 @ 7:00pm EST. Western Michigan 0 was the opening favorite and line hasn’t moved.
As a 4.5-point favorite, Northern Illinois lost outright to Central Michigan 35–22 last Wednesday. Last Wednesday, Western Michigan lost 13–9 to Bowling Green but covered as a five-point underdog. The Broncos own a 26–20 advantage in the all-time regular season series between the teams. On November 23, 2021, they won 42–21 on the road.
Northern Illinois Offense Sputtering
In 2021, Northern Illinois won the MAC title before falling to Coastal Carolina 47–41 in the Cure Bowl. According to the MAC standings, 2022 has been a dumpster fire: their loss to Central Michigan dropped them to 2–7 overall and 1–4 in the MAC, leaving them last in the West Division. Central Michigan trailed Northern Illinois 14–0 after the first quarter, 21–0 at halftime, and 28–7 at the end of the third quarter. With 11:31 left to play, they drew within 28–22, but were unable to score any more points. Overall, the Huskies were outgained 451–316, allowed 26 first downs while allowing 15, and lost time of possession by a margin of 35:25 to 24:35. However, Northern Illinois won the turnover battle 4–2 with both teams scoring on scoop-sixes in the fourth quarter.
On the season, the Huskies rank 109th in passing offense with 191.3 yards per game, while they rank 27th in rushing offense with 197.3 yards per game. In the FBS, Northern Illinois ranks 63rd in scoring offense, averaging 29.8 points per game, while ranking 115th in scoring defense, allowing 33.2 points per game. On the season, Rocky Lombardi has completed 50 of 75 passes for 645 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Hampton has completed 72 of 122 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns with six interceptions. Additionally, Nevan Cremascoli (13 of 33, 158 yards, two TDs, one interception) and Justin Lynch (10 of 19, 118 yards) have played.
With a power ranking of 85, Northern Illinois is ranked #59 in offense (scoring an average of 30.75 per game), #116 in defense (allowing an average of 33.00 points to be scored against them per game) and are 2–7 (3–6 ATS) this season.
Western Michigan Struggling Passing
In a game where their defense answered the bell, Western Michigan’s inability to generate points proved to be their undoing. Despite trailing 6–0 at the half and 13–0 in the third quarter, Western Michigan fell to 3–6 overall on the season and is 2–3 in the MAC. Despite getting within 13–9 with 5:28 to play, the Broncos were unable to close the gap. After three quarters, they cut the margin to 13–6 and got within 13–9. In a tightly contested game, Western Michigan held a 318–289 edge in total offense, forced three turnovers, while committing two. The Broncos were ahead 16–15 in first downs and 30:10 to 29:50 in time of possession.
In passing offense, the Broncos are 116th in the nation, averaging 183 yards per game, while in rushing offense, they are 101st, averaging 123.9 yards per game. In terms of scoring offense, Western Michigan ranks 118th as they score 19.4 points per game. In terms of defense, they rank 72nd as they allow 26.8 points per game. While adding 67 yards and a score on the ground, Jack Salopek has completed 97 of 191 passes for 1,231 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Aside from Treyson Bourguet (32 of 60, 314, yards, TD, INT, 54 rush yards), Mareyohn Hrabowski (four of eight, 56 yards, 63 rush yards) has also seen action. With 147 carries for 622 yards plus four scores, Sean Tyler leads the run game. Anthony Samubucci completed his lone throw for a touchdown. On the ground, La’Darius Jefferson has carried the ball 56 times for 235 yards and five touchdowns. Corey Crooms leads the team with 43 receptions for 620 yards and five scores.
Western Michigan Broncos has a power ranking of 107 and are #112 for offense (scoring an average of 20.75 per game), #82 for defense (giving up an average of 33.00 points per game) and 3–6 (4–5 ATS) overall. Northern Illinois went 2–1 (1–2 ATS) in their last 3 matchups against Western Michigan.
Injuries
- QB Rocky Lombardi Is “?” Wednesday vs Western Michigan, Undisclosed
- WR Trayvon Rudolph Is out for season, Undisclosed
- QB Ethan Hampton Is “?” Wednesday vs Western Michigan, Undisclosed
- QB Justin Lynch Is “?” Wednesday vs Western Michigan, Undisclosed
Curated Picks & Predictions
- From the lines set by Sportsbooks, they predict the score to be NIU 25, W.MICH 25.
- The SportsJaw community predicts Northern Illinois Huskies to cover (55%)
- OddsShark predicts Northern Illinois will win, cover the spread, and the total will go under.
- 62% picked Western Michigan Broncos on Covers.com
- Our ScoreCaster predicts Huskies 29 to Broncos 20.
Staff Prediction
Western Michigan only surrender 133.7 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry on the ground so they should be able to at least slow down the Northern Illinois’ rushing attack which has been somehow soft this season. On the other side it’s hard to trust his leaky Husky defense, even against an offensively challenged Broncos’ team this could be a stale mate of two bad offenses with little scoring.
Pick: Under 50
Written by SportsJaw Staff
Categorized as NCAAF Predictions
