(17) Northern Illinois-UMass
Time: 12 PM ET, Nov 2, 2013
Spread: NI -25.5
O/U: 60
Odds courtesy of Bovada
Northern Illinois is undefeated on the season and that is unlikely to change this week according to college football oddsmakers at Bovada, who set the line 25.5 points in favor of the visiting Huskies. The Huskies attack is predicated on one of the best rush offenses in the nation, one which accounts for 307.5 yards per game.
Quarterback Jordan Lynch is the dual-threat behind the Huskies success, and he’s thrown for 1,711 yards on the season with a 62.9 percent completion ratio and rushed an additional 1,031 yards on 156 carries. Runningback Cameron Stingily has also been very successful with a 5.5 yard per carry average and 726 yards on the season. The Huskies have no problem getting in the end zone and average 41.9 points per game (10th best in the nation).
NIU will not face any challenges this season in the remainder of the team’s games either, as the season will be closed out against Ball State, Toledo and Western Michigan. The likelihood of an undefeated season is high, but at some point NIU will have to consider finding some tougher opponents to further the program.
UMass has just one win on the season, a 17-10 victory over Miami (OH) on Oct 12. The Minutemen have struggled to generate much offense at all this season, averaging just 283.7 yards per game and 10.6 points per game.
Last week has to constitute a moral victory of sorts as the team was able to generate 30 points in a one-point loss to Western Michigan. A.J. Doyle has thrown five interceptions to his five touchdowns on the year and none of the backs for the Minutemen average more than 3.7 yards per carry. The team will struggle to score on a tough NIU defense, which has allowed 25.8 points per game this season.
NIU Trends:
UNDER 4-0 in last 4 after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in previous game; 6-0-1 ATS in last 7 road games vs a team with a losing home record; 5-1-1 ATS in last 7 following SU win of more than 20 points.
UMass Trends:
UNDER 7-1 in last 8 overall; UNDER 7-1 in last 8 on turf; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 following SU Win.
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