Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan – CFB Predictions and Picks For November 6, 2024

This week, the Northern Illinois Huskies and Western Michigan Broncos clash in a key Mid-American Conference (MAC) game, bringing intense midweek action to fans and bettors.

Northern Illinois is a slight road favorite, but Western Michigan’s home field and recent performance may swing the momentum. Here’s a full game preview, with predictions and picks based on this season’s data.

Game Details

Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN2
Location: Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Spread: Northern Illinois -2 | Total: 52.5

Team Overview and Season Performance

Northern Illinois (4-4)

Early Upset and Inconsistent Season: Northern Illinois made waves early in the season with a notable upset over Notre Dame, but they’ve struggled since, with a 2-4 record in their last six games.

Their offensive inconsistency has been a recurring issue, and they have not scored more than 24 points in any game against an FBS team not named UMass.

Defensive Concerns: NIU’s defense will be tested by Western Michigan’s strong offense, especially since NIU has shown vulnerabilities in recent MAC games.

They come into this game having lost to two common opponents (Buffalo and Ball State) that Western Michigan managed to defeat, signaling a potential disadvantage.

Western Michigan Broncos (5-3)

High-Scoring Offense and Home Advantage: Western Michigan is undefeated at home this season and leads the MAC in scoring and total offense, averaging significant yardage in recent games. They recently dominated Kent State, racking up 580 yards and maintaining control throughout.

Experienced QB Leadership: Quarterback Hayden Wolff is a seasoned starter who boasts a 69% completion rate with a 15:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His efficiency and familiarity with the offense give Western Michigan a critical edge, especially against NIU’s inconsistent defense.

Key Matchup Analysis

Offensive and Defensive Discrepancies: Western Michigan’s offense is one of the best in the MAC, while NIU’s defense has struggled against similarly high-powered teams. The Broncos’ rushing and passing strengths make them a difficult matchup for NIU, which has faced issues in both areas.

Home Field Factor: Playing at Waldo Stadium gives the Broncos an additional edge, as they are 3-0 at home this season. This environment could be a deciding factor in a tight game where both teams need a win.

Betting Predictions and Picks

Spread Pick: Western Michigan +2. Despite being underdogs, Western Michigan’s offensive firepower and home advantage make them a strong candidate to cover and even win outright. This game presents a potential “wrong team favored” situation, with the Broncos more likely to dominate.

Total Points: Over 52.5. Both teams have high-scoring potential, and with Western Michigan’s offensive prowess, the game could exceed the total points.

Conclusion

This MAC matchup pits Northern Illinois’s inconsistent season against Western Michigan’s dominant offense. Given the Broncos’ home advantage, powerful offense, and recent successes against common opponents, Western Michigan is a solid pick to cover the spread and potentially win outright.

Bettors should look to Western Michigan +2 and consider the over on total points, expecting an exciting, high-scoring Wednesday night clash.

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