The Northern Illinois University Huskies (1-2, 0-1 Away) are on the road to take on the No. 8 University of Kentucky Wildcats (3-0, 2-0 Home), who will be seeking to prolong their unbeaten start, at Kroger Field on Saturday. The Wildcats are 26.5-point favorites, and the total is 53.Northern Illinois is coming off a 38-28 loss against Vanderbilt at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium last Saturday. Ethan Hampton threw for 124 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Antario Brown ran eight times for 60 yards and a touchdown. Cole Tucker caught four passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Kentucky beat Youngstown State 31-0 at Kroger Field last Saturday. Will Levis was 27 of 35 for 377 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Kavosiey Smoke carried 18 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Dane Key also scored once. He hauled in six receptions for 90 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Huskies are averaging 32.3 points per game so far this season, 68th in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 9.7 PPG (12th). Meanwhile, Kentucky has scored 31.3 points a game this season, 75th in the country, and Northern Illinois is allowing 34.3 PPG (108th).The Huskies rank 95th in the country in passing yards per game (218.0) and 81st in rushing (154.7). They can expect a tough test through the air, as the Wildcats are 12th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (152.0). Against the run, Kentucky is 38th (101.7).Kentucky has been one of the country’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 74.3 yards per game (122nd), while ranking 26th in passing yards (294.0). The Huskies are allowing 284.3 passing yards (118th) and 148.3 rushing yards per game (77th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, Rocky Lombardi has thrown for five touchdowns (1 INT) and 176.7 yards per game to lead Northern Illinois in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had three TDs (1 INT) and 259 yards passing. Brown leads the team in rushing with an average of 67.7 yards a game over three games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Tucker is the Huskies’ leading receiver with 92.7 yards a game and three TDs. Levis has six passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 294.0 yards per game through three games to lead Kentucky. In two home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 340.0 yards. Smoke has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 59.3 yards a game through three games. He has one touchdown. Key has been a key target in the Wildcats’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 75.3 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Kentucky (-5000)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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