Northern Illinois Huskies vs Boston College Eagles Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA

Where to Watch:  ACC Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  NIU +9.5, BC -9.5; Over/Under:  52 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  NIU +9.5, BC -9.5; Over/Under:  52 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  NIU +9.5, BC -9.5; Over/Under:  51.5 points

Northern Illinois Huskies:  0-0 (MAC West)

Boston College Eagles:  0-0 (ACC)

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Northern Illinois Huskies:  N/A

Boston College Eagles:  N/A

Northern Illinois finished last season with a 3-9 record overall and they had a 2-6 record in their conference games too.  They were 1-5 in their home games, 2-4 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 27.2 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 32.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 373.1 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 395.7 yards per game. Ethan Hampton led the team in passing yards with 798, Harrison Waylee led the team in rushing yards with 899, and Cole Tucker led the team in receiving yards with 632.

 

 

 

Boston College finished last season with a 3-9 record overall and they had a 2-6 record in their conference games too.  They were 2-4 in their home games, 1-5 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 17.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 30.3 points per game. Their offense also averaged 309.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 377.8 yards per game. Phil Jurkovec led the team in passing yards with 1711, Patrick Garwo led the team in rushing yards with 402, and Zay Flowers led the team in receiving yards with 1077.

The current betting odds have Northern Illinois listed as a 9.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Northern Illinois wasn't good last season with their 3-9 record overall and their 2-6 record in their conference games but they are usually a much better team that does well in their conference and they will be looking to have a much improved season this year. Boston College wasn't great last season either as they finished with a 3-9 record overall and were also 2-6 in their conference games. Boston College struggled last season due to their QB situation but even when they got their starter back, their offense still wasn't putting up a lot of points in their games. They were also terrible in their home games with a 2-4 record there and they have not done much to improve their team either. Northern Illinois still has some quality players from last year on their team and they will be looking to have a much better season with Rocky Lombardi back at the helm. Northern Illinois will be able to do enough in this game to keep it close. The best way to place a bet here is on Northern Illinois to cover the spread in this game.

Northern Illinois Boston College Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is NIU 19 BC 13.

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Northern Illinois Huskies: 53-26 ATS as a road underdog. 90-55 ATS in road games. 17-9 OVER in all games. 6-1 OVER when the total is between 49.5 and 56.

Boston College Eagles: 6-11 ATS in games played on turf. 8-14 ATS when playing on a Saturday. 12-7 OVER as a home favorite of 7.5 to 14 points. 

Northern Illinois Huskies:  None.

Boston College Eagles:  None.

"Anybody could have a great game one week. To play 12, 13, 14 weeks, that takes a different mindset, that takes a different approach. And if he comes out and he plays well, and he comes back on Tuesday and practices his butt off, then that's what I'm looking for. I think that's going to help him have the type of season he wants to have." - Thomas Hammock on Antario Brown coming into this 1st game of the season.

“At BC you have to run the ball and we’re going to run the ball. The key to our team, the strength of our team needs to be the O-line, and it will be the O-line. [...] That’s what excites me the most about this team is the offensive line. Now we have to go and prove it and we have to go line up in training camp, and now we’re going to be able to practice and be physical which we weren’t able to do.” - Jeff Hafley on his team’s offensive line coming into this new college football season.

WR Travis, Messiah 

WR Dozier, Billy 

WR Rudolph, Trayvon 

TE Tewes, Tristen 

QB Lombardi, Rocky 

RB Brown, Antario 

FB Lampe, Brock 

WR Griffin Jr., Joseph 

WR O'Keefe, Ryan 

WR Tomlin, Dino 

TE Takacs, George 

QB Morehead, Emmett 

RB Garwo III, Pat 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Northern Illinois Huskies: Thomas Hammock (5th season)

Boston College Eagles: Jeff Hafley (4th season)