The Western Michigan Broncos (6-5, 3-4 MAC) and Northern Illinois Huskies (8-3, 6-1) meet Tuesday for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. Below, we look at the Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Western Michigan was felled by Eastern Michigan 22-21 last Tuesday. The Broncos led that game 21-9 heading into the final minute of the third quarter. They were undone by a minus-2 in turnovers had two giveaways in the fourth quarter — one of which led to a game-winning field goal. WMU is just 1-3 since Oct. 23.
The Huskies earned an overtime win over the Buffalo Bulls Wednesday, but their last three victories — over a four-game span — have come by a combined eight points. Northern Illinois piled up 308 rushing yards in its win over Buffalo and rank 11th nationally in rushing with 228.4 yards per game.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:22 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Western Michigan -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Northern Illinois +135 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan -3.5 (-107) | Northern Illinois +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Western Michigan 28, Northern Illinois 23
Money line
Western Michigan won last year’s meeting 30-27. These two MAC West foes have split their last four games, and all four have been decided by one score.
Northern Illinois has won four straight at home, but in a game where both teams will want to rely a ton on the run, the better rushing defense — WMU — figures as the team to play. The Broncos are a decent play in the -150 to -155 range but PASS on the current tag.
Against the spread
BACK THE BRONCOS -3.5 (-107). Keep an eye on this line: parts of the market have phased in and out of WMU -3. With a likable Under in a series full of close games, Broncos -3 figures as a play to leverage.
NIU is already ticketed for a trip to the MAC title game, while WMU is fighting for bowl eligibility.
Over/Under
The Under is 7-2 in the last nine series meetings at Northern Illinois. Tuesday’s forecast calls for 36 degrees and a 16-mile-an-hour breeze. A bit of game control for the Broncos and a lack of explosiveness for their offense factor into this one hitting on a combined score in the 50s.
TAKE THE UNDER 60.5 (-105).
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