The Wyoming Cowboys (1-0) and Northern Illinois Huskies (1-0) meet Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill., for a 1:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we look at the Wyoming vs. Northern Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Wyoming was lucky to escape at home against FCS Montana State in the opener. Montana State carried a 7-3 lead into the fourth quarter before the offense finally picked up for both sides.
The Bobcats held a 16-12 lead with 2:17 to go, but Cowboys QB Sean Chambers provided the late heroics with a 21-yard scoring strike to TE Treyton Welch with 47 ticks left in regulation for the winner.
Meanwhile, NIU raised a lot of eyebrows by surprising Georgia Tech 22-21. Michigan State transfer QB Rocky Lombardi paid immediate dividends with the TD strike with 38 seconds left in regulation. The Huskies elected to go for two rather than the game-tying extra point, and they converted for the outright win as 19-point underdogs.
Wyoming 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 Thursday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wyoming -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Northern Illinois +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wyoming -6.5 (-115) | Northern Illinois +6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Wyoming at Northern Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Northern Illinois 26, Wyoming 23
Money line
I really like what I saw from NORTHERN ILLINOIS (+220) last weekend in Atlanta. Apparently, the books don’t share my enthusiasm for Lombardi and the NIU offense, as the Huskies are nearly touchdown underdogs on home field.
Take advantage, as Northern Illinois is a nice value against a Wyoming team with a solid quarterback and running back, but not much else.
Against the spread
If you’re not feeling the Huskies straight up, play NORTHERN ILLINOIS +6.5 (-105) with the points. After an impressive road win over a Power 5 team, the Huskies are underdogs to a Mountain West team that struggled to beat a mediocre FCS foe. I don’t get it. Roll with the Huskies for the W and cover.
My biggest concern is that Georgia Tech hung 286 rushing yards on NIU, and Wyoming had RB Xazavian Valladay, a guy capable of housing it each time he touches the pill.
Over/Under
OVER 44.5 (-108) is the lean here. Both of these teams had long spells of offensive struggles last week in their victories.
I think Lombardi and the NIU offense can be a little more consistent. They ran the ball OK, and lost in the late-game heroics was the fact Lombardi threw for just 136 yards and a pair of scores. RB Harrison Waylee can match Valladay in the ground game, and this one has the potential to be near 50 total points.
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