Northern Illinois -1.5 3.3% play
Northern Illinois is a veteran bunch who knows how to win on the road. They are the only team that beat Notre Dame and they did it on the road. They are off back to back losses and should be completely focused for this game like a veteran squad would be. Their defense is elite ranking 5th in yards per play. Western Michigan's offense is humming, but when you look at the competition it's been very bad. The average YPP offense/defense combined of their last 4 opponents averages 115th. When you average Northern Illinois offense and defense is 62.5. Western Michigan's offensive line really struggles to block ranking 107th, and Northern Illinois defensive front is 7th in sack rate.
Northern Illinois offense should find some success here they are actually the better offense when you look at success rate ranking 69th vs. an average opponent SR defense 71. Compare that with Western Michigan who ranks 86th vs. 79. Northern Illinois clearly stronger in the trenches and that travels here. Norther Illinois has by far played the tougher schedule in conference play with Bowling Green and Toledo. I think they get back into the win column here.
