The Northern Illinois Huskies and Fresno State Bulldogs meet Monday in the college football Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium. Here’s a Fresno State vs Northern Illinois Prediction. This article will include a Fresno State vs Northern Illinois Pick.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
The Northern Illinois Huskies recently beat Akron and Central Michigan, and they lost to Miami OH. Northern Illinois has split its last 6 non-home games. Ethan Hampton is completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Trayvon Rudolph and Cam Thompson have combined for 783 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Grayson Barnes has 25 receptions.
The Northern Illinois Huskies ground game is averaging 207.3 yards per contest, and Gavin Williams leads the way with 741 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Northern Illinois is allowing 18.4 points and 280.9 yards per game. Jaden Dolphin leads the Northern Illinois Huskies with 56 tackles, Devonte O’Malley has 8 sacks and Nate Valcarcel has 2 interceptions.
Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Preview
The Fresno State Bulldogs recently lost to Air Force and UCLA, while beating Colorado State. The Fresno State Bulldogs have lost 4 of their last 6 non-home games. Mikey Keene is completing 70.5 percent of his passes for 2,892 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Mac Dalena and Jalen Moss have combined for 1,510 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while Raylen Sharpe has 51 receptions.
The Fresno State Bulldogs ground game is averaging 98.6 yards per contest, and Elijah Gilliam leads the way with 466 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Fresno State is allowing 24.6 points and 354.6 yards per game. Tuasivi Nomura leads the Fresno State Bulldogs with 97 tackles, Phoenix Jackson has 4 sacks and Cam Lockridge has 5 interceptions.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Northern Illinois has won four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Fresno State has lost three of its last four games.
- Northern Illinois has covered the spread in four of its last five games played at neutral venues.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Northern Illinois’ last seven games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Fresno State’s last six games at Albertsons Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Fresno State ranks 133rd among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (-5.8).
- Fresno State ranks 131st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (4.2).
- Northern Illinois ranks 4th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (6.6).
- Northern Illinois ranks 5th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (281.3).
Fresno State vs Northern Illinois Prediction
The Northern Illinois Huskies finished the season strong with wins in 3 of their last 4 games, and that’s what you want to see heading into a bowl game. NIU clearly cares about finishing the season strong, and I’m sure will take this bowl game seriously. The Fresno State Bulldogs have many players in the transfer portal, including quarterback Mikey Keene and corner Al’zillion Hamilton. It’s hard to take Fresno State seriously in this spot. Give me Northern Illinois by a touchdown or two.