Akron Zips vs
Northern Illinois HuskiesPredictions & Preview

Northern Illinois Huskies Favored to Achieve Bowl Eligibility in Midweek MACtion Matchup Against Akron Zips

This content discusses the upcoming Midweek MACtion game between the Akron Zips and the Northern Illinois Huskies. It provides an overview of each team's recent form, key players, and ends with picks and predictions for the game. The game is scheduled for Wednesday night at 7:00 ET at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL, with Northern Illinois opening as the betting favorite at -16.25. The current line is Northern Illinois -15.5.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Zips +520 | Huskies -750
• Spread: Zips +15.5 (-110) | Huskies -15.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 46.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Northern Illinois will win straight-up is 88%.

Akron vs Northern Illinois Stats

Akron Zips

Coach Joe Moorhead is currently in his third season leading the Akron Zips football team, but the team has struggled with a record of 6-27 so far. Despite only having two wins this season against Colgate and Eastern Michigan, they have shown some promising performances. Quarterback Ben Finley has been a solid performer, throwing for almost 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Wide receiver Adrian Norton and running back Jordan Simmons have also made significant contributions to the offense. However, the defense has been a major issue, ranking near the bottom nationally in points allowed and yardage given up. With a power ranking of 123, Akron's offense is ranked 125th and defense is ranked 126th. The team's record currently stands at 2-7.

Northern Illinois Huskies Analysis

Coach Thomas Hammock has led the Northern Illinois Huskies to a successful season so far, with a record of 5-4 and a strong chance for bowl eligibility with a victory over Akron. The team had a notable upset win against #5 Notre Dame earlier in the season, but has faced some challenges since then. Ethan Hampton leads the offense at quarterback, while Antario Brown has been a key player in the running game. The defense, under coordinator Nick Benedetto, has been particularly strong this season, allowing only 19.3 points per game. The team has a power ranking of 47, with a solid defense ranking of 16. Northern Illinois will face Akron, a team with a recent winning record against them, in their upcoming matchup.

Northern Illinois Has Prime Opportunity to Achieve Bowl Eligibility with Strong Performance Expected against Akron

Northern Illinois has a prime opportunity to achieve bowl eligibility, increasing expectations for a strong performance on Wednesday evening. Despite a significant point spread, it is a justifiable choice given Akron's defensive struggles this season. The 15.5-point spread favors NIU, particularly considering Akron's position as one of the weakest defenses nationally, allowing 38.0 points per game and ranking 125th in the country. With NIU's robust rushing game matching up well against Akron's 113th-ranked rushing defense, led by talented players Antario Brown and Gavin Williams, a favorable outcome for NIU seems likely. The key to success for NIU will be converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns, especially against an Akron defense that is conceding an average of 4.6 touchdowns per game, ranked 124th in the nation. In light of these factors, I anticipate Northern Illinois to cover the spread in front of their home audience.

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