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On Saturday at 3:30 PM ET, the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-4) will visit the Akron Zips (1-4).
The Zips are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+6.5), against the Huskies (with an over/under of 43 points).
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Game Info for Northern Illinois vs. Akron
- Game Day: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Location: Akron, Ohio
- Stadium: InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | -6.5 | -111 | -109 | 43 | -110 | -110 | -243 | +198 |
Northern Illinois Pick Insights
- Northern Illinois has covered the spread twice in five games this season.
- Three of Northern Illinois’ five games with a set total have hit the over (60%).
Northern Illinois Stats & Insights
- Northern Illinois ranks 16th-worst in total offense (317.2 yards per game), but has been slightly better on defense, ranking 52nd with 347.6 yards allowed per contest.
- Northern Illinois has been a bottom-25 scoring offense this season, ranking 16th-worst with 19.2 points per contest. The defense ranks 75th in the FBS (26 points allowed per game).
- Northern Illinois ranks 103rd in passing yards this season (195.6 per game), but has been shining on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 16th-best in the FBS with 171.4 passing yards allowed per game.
- On offense, Northern Illinois ranks 107th in the FBS with 121.6 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defensive unit ranks 107th in rushing yards allowed per contest (176.2).
- Northern Illinois ranks 74th in third-down efficiency (39.7%) on offense and 30th in third-down percentage allowed (33.3%) on defense this season.
- With six forced turnovers (76th in the FBS) against nine turnovers committed (102nd in the FBS), Northern Illinois (-3) has the 103rd-ranked turnover margin in college football.
Northern Illinois’ Best Players
- Rocky Lombardi has 824 yards passing for Northern Illinois, completing 54.5% of his passes and tossing three touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Antario Brown, has carried the ball 80 times for 334 yards (66.8 per game), scoring one time.
- This season, Gavin Williams has carried the ball 28 times for 105 yards (21 per game).
- Kacper Rutkiewicz’s 249 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 37 times and has totaled 19 receptions and one touchdown.
- Christian Carter has put up a 130-yard season so far with two touchdowns, hauling in nine passes on 14 targets.
- Grayson Barnes has been the target of 15 passes and racked up eight receptions for 111 yards, an average of 22.2 yards per contest.
- George Gumbs has 2.5 sacks to pace the team, and also has two TFL and 14 tackles.
- Raishein Thomas is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 21 tackles, one TFL, and 1.5 sacks.
- Muhammad Jammeh has picked off a team-leading one pass. He also has one pass defended to his name.
Akron Betting Insights
- Akron has covered the spread twice in four opportunities this year.
- Akron is a 2-1 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 6.5 points or more this season.
- Out of Akron’s four games with a set total, one has hit the over (25%).
Akron Pick Insights
- Akron has not been getting things done on offense, ranking 10th-worst with 301.4 total yards per game. It has been better on defense, allowing 314 total yards per contest (27th-ranked).
- Akron’s offense has been a bottom-25 unit this season, putting up 17 points per game, which ranks eighth-worst in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 64th with 24.4 points ceded per contest.
- Akron ranks 100th in the FBS with 199.2 passing yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 55th with 218.2 passing yards allowed per game on defense.
- Akron ranks 17th-worst in rushing yards per game on offense (102.2), but at least it has been shutting down opposing offenses on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in rushing yards surrendered per game (95.8).
- Akron’s offense has been sputtering on third down, ranking ninth-worst in the FBS with a 30.3% third-down conversion rate. It has been better on the defensive side of the ball, allowing a 34.7% third-down rate (39th-ranked).
- After forcing eight turnovers (37th in the FBS) and turning the ball over 11 times (121st in the FBS) this season, Akron has the 103rd-ranked turnover margin of -3.
Akron’s Best Players
- DJ Iron has been a dual threat for Akron this season. He has 718 passing yards (143.6 per game) while completing 66.2% of his passes. He’s thrown three touchdown passes and three interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 215 yards (43 ypg) on 61 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
- Lorenzo Lingard has run the ball 44 times for 238 yards, with one touchdown. He’s also tacked on 11 catches for 159 yards and one touchdown.
- Jasaiah Gathings has racked up 197 receiving yards on 20 catches to pace his squad so far this season.
- Daniel George has racked up 167 receiving yards (33.4 yards per game) on 18 receptions.
- Alex Adams has racked up 165 reciving yards (33 ypg) and one touchdown this season.
- CJ Nunnally has five sacks to lead the team, and also has six TFL and 17 tackles.
- Akron’s tackle leader, Bryan McCoy, has 28 tackles and one TFL this year.
- Andrew Behm has picked off a team-high one pass. He also has five tackles, one TFL, and one pass defended to his name.
