Free College Football Picks Today: Ohio Bobcats vs Northern Illinois Huskies 10/22/22

The Ohio University Bobcats (4-3, 2-1 MAC) and their powerful passing offense host the Northern Illinois University Huskies (2-5, 1-2 MAC), one of the country’s weakest aerial defenses, at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium on Saturday. The Huskies are three-point favorites, and the total is 65.5.

Northern Illinois is coming off a runaway 39-10 win over Eastern Michigan at Rynearson Stadium last Saturday. Rocky Lombardi was 11 of 15 for 115 yards. Harrison Waylee ran 16 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. Cole Tucker caught five passes for 58 yards.

Ohio beat Western Michigan 33-14 at Waldo Stadium last Saturday. Kurtis Rourke threw for 264 yards and an interception. Sieh Bangura carried 25 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Wiglusz hauled in eight receptions for 76 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2019, a 39-36 win for the Huskies.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Huskies are averaging 32.7 points per game for the season, 51st in FBS, and they are facing a Bobcats defense that has surrendered 36.9 PPG (123rd). Meanwhile, Ohio has scored 33.1 points a game this season, 45th in the nation, and Northern Illinois is allowing 34.3 PPG (117th).The Huskies rank 102nd in the country in passing yards per game (207.7) and 32nd in rushing (193.0). The best opportunities are likely to come through the air, as the Bobcats are worst in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (367.1).

Against the run, Ohio is 88th (161.4).Ohio has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 324.0 passing yards per game (13th), while ranking 109th in rushing yards (112.9). Northern Illinois’ defense has been vulnerable through the air, as the Huskies are 116th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (278.0). Against the run, the Huskies are 29th (116.1).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Ethan Hampton has thrown for seven touchdowns (6 INT) and 199.5 yards per game to lead Northern Illinois in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 195.0 yards passing. Harrison Waylee leads the team in rushing with an average of 90.0 yards a game over seven games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Cole Tucker is the Huskies’ leading receiver with 76.3 yards a game and three TDs.

Kurtis Rourke has 14 passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 315.4 yards per game through seven games to lead Ohio. In three home games this season, he has thrown for 11 TDs and an average of 436.3 yards. Sieh Bangura has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 72.2 yards a game through six games. He has eight total touchdowns, seven rushing and one receiving. Sam Wiglusz has been a key target in the Bobcats’ aerial attack. He has five touchdowns and a 72.9 yard per game average through seven appearances.