by James Q
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021Northern Illinois Huskies vs Toledo Rockets Picks Spreads and Trends to watch - 10/09/2021
Game Time: Noon ET, Saturday, October 9th, 2021
Venue: Glass Bowl, Toledo, Ohio
Where to Watch: CBSSN
Opening NCAAF Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Spread: Toledo -12: O/U: 55.5
Circa: Spread: Toledo -12.5: O/U: 55
Caesars: Spread: Toledo -12: O/U: 55.5
Season Record
NIU: 3-2 (MAC West)
Toledo: 3-2 (MAC West)
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Huskies vs Rockets Preview and Analysis.
RECENT FORM
Northern IL is playing tough in close games this year. They opened with a win against Georgia Tech 22-21. Game 2 brought a loss to Wyoming in a thrilling contest with the final score 50-43… Game 3 NIU was blown out by Michigan 63-10, Michigan really wanted to cover that point spread. Game 4 brought NIU an easy win over Maine 41-14. Game 5 was the first MAC conference game win against Eastern Michigan 27-20.
Toledo opened the college football season with a blowout win over Norfolk State 49-10. Game 2 brought an insanely close loss against a real quality opponent… They lost 32-29 to Notre Dame! That’s right they scored 29 on Notre Dame and came within a field goal. Game 3 the Rockets were caught napping or dreaming or looking ahead… Colorado State beat them 22-6. Game 4 Toledo got back to their winning ways and beat Ball State 22-12. Game 5 Toledo blew out UMass 45-7.
Offensive Analysis
The Northern Illinois Huskies offense is scoring 28.6 points per game on 377 yards per matchup. QB Rocky Lombardi has a great-great grandfather named Vince Lombardi, but it isn’t the Vince Lombardi that was the legendary Green Bay Packers coach in the early NFL. Rocky used the transfer portal to move from Michigan State to Northern Illinois. He is a graduate transfer and gets an extra year (like everyone) to make up for Covid, so he has two more years of eligibility. Rocky is throwing 65-114 for a 57% completion rate, 5 TDs and 5 INTs. RB Harrison Waylee is a real weapon out of the backfield. Receivers Tyrice Ritchie and Cole Tucker are a thunder and lightning duo… the tight ends are barely used in the passing game.
Toledo is scoring 30.2 points per game, exciting fans with 396.8 yards per game. QB Carter Bradley is 69-112 passing but only has 4 TD passes, fortunately only 1 interception too. The rushing game is an important part of Toledo’s game RB Bryant Koback leads the team while backup QB Dequan Finn has 34 runs netting a 7.5 yards average. Normally it isn’t smart to move the starting quarterback out for a special package of plays by the speedy backup quarterback… but it seems to be working. Receivers Devin Maddox, Isaiah Winstead, Bryce Mitchell, and Bryant Koback have the most yards (in order listed) but the Rockets have hit 11 other receivers with a pass for a catch.
Defensive Analysis
Northern Illinois is ranked 100th in FBS defense. They give up 419.2 yards per game and have given up 23 total touchdowns.
Toledo has the 24th ranked defense in the FBS. They are holding opponents to only 299.8 yards per game and have allowed 7 touchdowns in 5 games. They played Notre Dame to a real close margin of just 3 points and though it seems like a high scoring game… the defense gave the offense a chance which is huge against a program that big and powerful.
Huskies vs Rockets Prediction
Our prediction for Saturday, October 9th is… Toledo 29 - NIU 17
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NCAAF Betting Trends
NIU is 7-1 ATS as a road underdog of 10-14 points since 1993
NIU is 4-1 ATS when playing a team with a winning record, last 3 seasons.
Toledo is 4-2 ATS in week 5-9, last 3 seasons.
Starting Lineups
Huskies: QB Rocky Lombardi, RB Waylee Harrison, FB Clint Ratkovich, TE Miles Joiner, WR Tyrice Ritchie, WR Trayvon Rudolph, Wr Cole Tucker, LT Marques Cox, LG JJ Lippe, C Brayden Patton, RG Logan Zschermitz, RT Nolan Potter
Toledo: QB Carter Bradley, RB Bryant Koback, TE Drew Rosi, WR Danzel McKinley-Lewis, WR Bryce Mitchell, WR Devin Maddox, LT Mitchell Berg, LG Vitally Gurman, C Bryce Harris, RG Tyler Long, RT Lavel Dumont,
Statistical Leaders
NIU:
Passing: Rocky Lombardi 781 yards
Rushing: Harrison Waylee 574 yards
Receiving: Tyrice Ritchie 223 yards
Tackles: Lance Deveaux 35
Interceptions: Jaden Dolphin 1
Toledo:
Passing: Carter Bradley 912 Yards
Rushing: Bryant Koback 364 yards
Receiving: Devin Maddox 341 yards
Tackles: Jamal Hines 31
Interceptions: Samuel Womack 1
PA WV TN NJ
Coaches:
NIU: Thomas Hammock
Toledo: Jason Candle
Weather Forecast
Partly Cloudy. 75* for the high.
James Q
About the Author:
James Q. has been involved with sports and gambling his entire life. A former division 1 scholarship basketball player, James understands sports (and especially basketball) inside-and-out. Following his basketball playing days, James parlayed his gambling skills into a semi-pro poker career. James resides in Los Angeles, and especially loves the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And when he isn't betting on sports (and writing about it), James can be found performing stand-up comedy on the Sunset Strip.
