The Northern Illinois Huskies (6-2, 4-0 MAC) and Kent State Golden Flashes (4-4, 3-1) meet Wednesday at Dix Bowl in Kent, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Northern Illinois vs. Kent State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
The Huskies are the only team yet to lose a conference game yet, and this very well could end up being a MAC Championship Game preview. NIU outlasted Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant last week, winning its fifth straight game while going 4-1 ATS during the span.
The Golden Flashes started off slowly in the non-conference schedule with trips to Texas A&M, Iowa and Maryland, all losses. But since getting into MAC play, the Golden Flashes have lived up to preseason expectations, with the offense posted 34, 31, 48 and 27 across the past four outings.
Northern Illinois at Kent State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Northern Illinois +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Kent State -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Illinois +3.5 (-112) | Kent State -3.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 67.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Northern Illinois at Kent State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Kent State 37, Northern Illinois 34
Money line
KENT STATE (-180) is a little more expensive than I care to spend on a money line play, but it’s not terribly out of line if you don’t want to bother with laying the points in a potentially close game.
Against the spread
NORTHERN ILLINOIS +3.5 (-108) is worth a look in this game, which should be a close battle. The underdog cashed in all three MAC games Tuesday night, including two outright wins.
The Huskies have posted a 4-1 ATS mark across the past five outings, including a pair of outright victories as an underdog at CMU last week, and at Toledo Oct. 9. Overall, NIU is an impressive 5-2-1 ATS. The Huskies are also a perfect 7-0 ATS in the previous seven following a bye. NIU is also 4-0-1 ATS in the past five trips to Kent, and 7-2-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings overall.
While Kent State has posted a 3-1 SU mark inside the MAC, it is just 2-2 ATS in four conference games.
Over/Under
OVER 67.5 (-112) is the slight lean here, worth a small-unit play. The Over has connected in two of the past three for Kent State, while cashing in two straight for NIU. Both teams have powerful offenses, and they should put on a show in Wednesday MACtion.
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