Northern Illinois-Kent State
Time: 3:30 PM ET, Oct 5 2013
Spread: NIL -9
M/L: NIL -340; KS +280
O/U: 63.5
Odds courtesy of 5dimes
Northern Illinois is 4-0 on the season on the heels of a rushing attack which ranks 14th in the nation, amassing 265.8 yards per game. The Huskies have been in a number of close matchups, with three of their four games decided by a touchdown or less, but the team has emerged victorious over Iowa, Idaho, Eastern Illinois and Purdue.
In the 55-24 drubbing of the Boilermakers last week, it marked the first time a mid-American conference team had beat two Big Ten opponents. The Huskies allowed 524 yards from Purdue, but the Boilermakers had four interceptions and a fumble, which ultimately led to the more efficient NIU offense still recording 402 yards and an average pass of 87 yards on 19-of-26 passing.
The reason for NIU’s offense prowess is mostly found in dual-threat QB Jordan Lynch. Lynch has thrown for 869 yards on 64.8 percent passing and has an additional 439 yards on 77 carries. Cameron Stingily has also been effective carrying the ball and has 310 yards on 61 carries. Lynch has two primary targets with his passes in Da’Ron Brown (301 yards) and Tommylee Lewis (239 yards).
Kent State ended a 3-game skid last week with a 32-14 victory over Western Michigan. The Golden Flashes find themselves 9-point underdogs this week against a tough NIU offense though. In the victory over Western Michigan, Colin Reardon threw 17-of-30 for 176 yards, with two TDs and one INT. Reardon also rushed for 44 yards, with another 154 rushing yards coming from Trayion Durham.
Durham had two touchdowns as well, and a 65-yard run. The Golden Flashes have the offense to compete with Kent State, but it’s the defense that will likely be problematic. Kent State gave up 41 to Bowling Green and 45 to LSU, and has allowed 28.8 points per game, which ranks near the bottom of the rung (81st).
NIU
OVER 4-0 in last 4 on turf; OVER 4-0 in last 4 overall; 4-0 ATS in last 4 in OCT.
KENT
5-0 ATS in last 5 in OCT; 3-0-1 ATS in last 4 after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in previous game; 4-0 ATS in last 4 after allowing less than 170 passing yards in previous game
Head-to-head: Huskies 5-0-1 ATS in last 6; Favorite 4-1-1 ATS in last 6.
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