Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan Predictions, Picks & Best Bets: Broncos Defend Home Turf

The Western Michigan Broncos will try to stay atop the MAC standings when they host the Northern Illinois Huskies tonight.

The Broncos may come in as underdogs, but I’ll explain why I like them to win at home in my Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois.

Let’s take a closer look at why I think the Broncos have the edge in my free college football picks for Wednesday, November 6. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM ET from Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, where the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Also, be sure to check out our Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan props!

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan prediction and best bet

My best bet
Western Michigan Moneyline (+112 at BetMGM)
Selections made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

My analysis
Northern Illinois briefly became the darlings of college football when they beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 16-14 in early September. However, the Huskies have done little to suggest that the game was a sign of their strength as a team.

In six games since, Northern Illinois has gone just 2-4 and has a 1-3 record against MAC opponents. Still, many rating systems still rate the Huskies relatively highly, no doubt bolstered by that one result in South Bend.

The problem with looking at a sample size of a game, no matter how impressive, is that it can be very misleading. Unless a team is so outmatched that it has no chance to score or no chance to stop its opponent, there is some chance of an upset and random results can occur. That’s what Northern Illinois’ win over Notre Dame increasingly looks like: an unlikely series of events that led to a narrow upset of a huge underdog.

Western Michigan already has wins over the Buffalo Bulls and Ball State Cardinals, both teams that Northern Illinois came up short against. The Broncos are riding a four-game winning streak and have covered as favorites in each of their last three games. They will be at home for this game where they are 3-0 this year.

Maybe you like the Huskies because of their excellent defense, which allows just 17.6 ppg and led the team to the win against Notre Dame. That’s a fair assumption, but it’s hard to see Northern Illinois completely shutting down a Broncos offense that’s giving up 34 points per game. game and has not been held under 34 points in MAC play.

Western Michigan can’t be expected to put up those kinds of numbers against the Huskies, who will be the best defense in the conference it will face this year. But quarterback Hayden Wolff and running back Jaden Nixon are legitimate weapons for the Broncos, and they should find ways to score over the course of 60 minutes.

I don’t see Northern Illinois — which is averaging just 23.4 ppg — finding enough ways to score on the road to keep up with the Broncos, even though they’ve been bad on the defensive side of the ball. I like Western Michigan to win straight up at home Wednesday night and stay undefeated in the MAC.

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan same-game parlay (SGP)

Western Michigan money line

Below 52.5

Jaden Nixon anytime touchdown

Western Michigan should be able to put away Northern Illinois on Wednesday night, but the Huskies defense won’t make it easy. I expect a tough, low-scoring contest, which is why I’m taking the Under at 52.5 points.

Northern Illinois has yet to give up more than 25 points in a game this season, and they could very well continue that streak here even in a losing effort.

As for who will score for the Broncos, running back Jaden Nixon is the obvious choice. Nixon has 10 touchdowns on the year and has scored in five of his last six games, running the ball easily against most opponents. Northern Illinois may be good against the run, but they are far from spectacular, and Nixon should find his spots to break through and lead Western Michigan to victory.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan odds

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan live odds

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan opening odds

• Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan spread: Western Michigan +1.5
• Northern Illinois vs. Western Michigan money line: Northern Illinois -110, Western Michigan +112
• Northern Illinois vs. Western Michigan Over/Under: 52.5

Odds provided by BetMGM

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan spread and Over/Under analysis

• Northern Illinois is 4-3-1 against this season, with Western Michigan a dead even 4-4 ATS on the year.
• The Broncos are a perfect 3-0 straight up at home this year and are 2-1 ATS in those games.
• The Over is 6-2 when Western Michigan plays this year, while the Under holds the 4-3-1 advantage in Northern Illinois’ games.
• The Huskies are averaging 41.0 ppg, with the offensive-minded Broncos averaging 67.8 ppg.

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan betting trend to know

Western Michigan has won four straight games. Find more college football betting trends for Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan.

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