College Football Preview – Northern Illinois (-2) at Western Michigan, Total 52
Northern Illinois heads to Kalamazoo as a 2-point favorite to face Western Michigan, who sits atop the MAC standings as the only unbeaten team in conference play at 4-0. Northern Illinois (4-4, 1-3) enters this game on a two-game losing streak, having lost four of their last six. This matchup is all about a high-powered Western Michigan offense taking on a nationally ranked Top 20 defense from Northern Illinois.
Western Michigan’s offense has been unstoppable in conference play, putting up 52, 48, 34, and 45 points in their last four games. Against common opponents, Western Michigan defeated both Buffalo and Ball State, while Northern Illinois couldn’t finish the job against those same teams. In MAC play, Western Michigan’s games have consistently gone over the total, with scores of 73, 89, 58, and 87 points. Their offense is clearly firing on all cylinders, though their defense has struggled, giving up 21, 41, 24, and 42 points in conference games.
In contrast, Northern Illinois has allowed 20 points or less in every game this season (including against Notre Dame) until last week. Ball State managed to score 25 points, with two of those scores coming from 50+ yard field goals. While Western Michigan’s games have flown over the total, Northern Illinois’s conference matchups have stayed under, with totals landing at 48, 19, 24, and 43 points. The contrast between these 2 teams is evident.
Ultimately, this matchup comes down to hot versus cold, as Northern Illinois has struggled to finish games, sitting at 1-3 in conference play with losses by margins of 2, 7, and 3 points. Meanwhile, Western Michigan has two wins by seven points or less. Home team at plus money that has shown they can finnish is the way to go here
Slight Lean – Western Michigan ML +110