The Northern Illinois University Huskies (1-3, 0-2 Away), one of the Mid-American Conference’s softest passing defenses, kick off Mid-American Conference play against the Ball State University Cardinals (1-3, 0-1 MAC), one of the conference’s top aerial offenses, at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday. The Huskies are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 59.5. Northern Illinois is coming off a 31-23 loss against No. 8 Kentucky at Kroger Field last Saturday, their third consecutive defeat. Ethan Hampton threw for 196 yards and a touchdown. Harrison Waylee ran 18 times for 63 yards. Kacper Rutkiewicz caught one pass for 63 yards. Ball State lost 34-23 to Georgia Southern at Allen E. Paulson Stadium last Saturday. John Paddock was 33 of 47 for 338 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Carson Steele carried 23 times for 119 yards. Jayshon Jackson scored once. He hauled in 10 receptions for 122 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Huskies won the only game between the teams last season, a 30-29 victory in November. Rocky Lombardi tossed one touchdown for Northern Illinois, as Jevyon Ducker added a rushing TD.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Huskies are averaging 30.0 points per game so far this season, fifth in the MAC, and they are facing a Cardinals defense that has surrendered 32.5 PPG (5th). Meanwhile, Ball State has scored 23.5 points a game this season, ninth in the conference, and Northern Illinois is allowing 33.5 PPG (7th). The Huskies rank 92nd in the country in passing yards per game (213.3) and 82nd in rushing (148.0), while the Cardinals are 83rd in passing yards allowed per game (239.8) and 99th against the run (169.0).Ball State is 31st in the nation in passing yards per game (283.8) and 73rd in rushing (156.8). Northern Illinois’ defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Huskies are 118th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (289.0). Against the run, the Huskies are 64th (137.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, Lombardi has thrown for five touchdowns (1 INT) and 176.7 yards per game to lead Northern Illinois in passing. Antario Brown leads the team in rushing with an average of 60.0 yards a game over four games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Cole Tucker is the Huskies’ leading receiver with 83.2 yards a game and three TDs. Paddock has eight passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 283.8 yards per game through four games to lead Ball State. In two home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 264.0 yards. Steele has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 106.0 yards a game through four games. He has two touchdowns. Jackson has been a key target in the Cardinals’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and an 82.8 yard per game average through four appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Northern Illinois (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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