Nelly's MAC Game of the Month 16-7 NCAA RUN
- Handicapper
- Nelly's Sports
- League
- NCAAF
- Competition
- Ball State vs Northern Illinois
- Release Date
- 10/24/2025 09:48 AM
- Event Date
- 10/25/2025 03:30 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Northern Illinois -6 (-110)
(Consensus Line)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- Northern Illinois has the most MAC championship game appearances with nine since 2005 including five titles won. This year’s team is 0-3 in MAC play, yet the Huskies are favored this week. Ball State is 2-1 but -22 in MAC scoring. The Cardinals surprised Ohio in the MAC Opener with a 20-0 2nd half in a shocking turnaround after being down 14-0 at the break. Ball State turned around and lost 42-0 on the road in the next game however as the Cardinals have offered great inconsistency this season. Last week’s home win over Akron was a three-point game in the 4th quarter and a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown sealed the game for the Cardinals to win even while outgained. Northern Illinois projects to have a substantial rushing edge in this pairing with Ball State averaging just 3.2 yards per rush on the season, 120th nationally, and the Cardinals 112th nationally in run defense. There is also a significant gap in the pass defense numbers comparing these teams favoring Northern Illinois. Northern Illinois was -4 in turnovers at Ball State last season, and the Cardinals still needed a last second field goal to win in the only win in the second half of the season for the Cardinals last season. This is the first season for Mike Uremovich at Ball State and while there have been positive signs, the Cardinals are winless on the road and have allowed at least 31 points in each of those four losses. The 1-6 team being a modest home favorite is noteworthy with mostly close losses for the Huskies and this being one of the team’s best opportunities for a FBS win after playing four of the past six games on the road and starting MAC play with two of the league favorites in three games.
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