Northern Illinois Huskies (1-4) vs. Akron Zips (1-4)
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Akron Zips 10/07/23 – In Week 6 of the NCAAF season, the Northern Illinois Huskies face off against the Akron Zips. Both teams come in with identical 1-4 records, leading to an intriguing matchup for anyone seeking NCAAF underdogs picks. The matchup will be hosted by the Akron Zips at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium, which is expected to be a battleground of redemption for both teams looking to improve their season standing.
The Northern Illinois Huskies’ gameplay has been largely defined by their rushing force, Antario Brown, who’s made significant contributions with 336 rushing yards, and an impressive 80-yard longest rush, showcasing his breakaway ability. Complementing Brown’s efforts on the receiving end is Kacper Rutkiewicz, the wide receiver with 19 receptions and 249 receiving yards, making key plays when the Huskies needed them the most.
On the flip side, the Akron Zips showcase their offensive capabilities through Lorenzo Lingard, their primary rusher, with 238 rushing yards. Jasaiah Gathings, although without a receiving touchdown yet, is an instrumental part of the Zips’ passing game, having accumulated 205 receiving yards.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Akron Zips Game Info
| When: | Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Rocky Lombardi QB vs. DJ Irons QB
Rocky Lombardi has been the signal-caller for the Northern Illinois Huskies, accumulating 824 passing yards with a 55% completion rate. Despite facing challenges in the form of 10 sacks and 4 interceptions, his resilience and adaptability on the field have been notable. Lombardi’s ability to connect with his wide receivers, especially on mid-range throws, has been evident. However, his decision-making under pressure, especially with a significant number of sacks, remains an area to be watched closely.
Contrastingly, DJ Irons has been the quarterback at the helm for the Akron Zips. With 722 passing yards and a commendable 66.2% completion rate, Irons showcases a higher completion accuracy. Facing 13 sacks this season, Irons, similar to Lombardi, needs to find ways to better read defenses and escape pocket pressures. His equilibrium between touchdowns and interceptions, each numbered at 3, highlights the consistency he brings to the Zips’ offensive strategy.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Northern Illinois Huskies -210, Total Odds: 43.5
The betting odds tilt slightly in favor of the Huskies, with a spread of -5.5 at -120. The total set at 43.5 suggests a moderately scoring game, but with both teams’ recent trends, the over could be a tempting proposition.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends
Northern Illinois Huskies comes into this game with a challenging 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games. Interestingly, the total has gone OVER in 13 of their last 18 games, hinting at their games being higher scoring than anticipated. Their historical performance against the Zips is noteworthy, with a 6-1 SU in their last 7 encounters, showing their dominance in this particular matchup.
Akron Zips Betting Trends
The Akron Zips have had their struggles, as reflected in their 2-14 SU in the last 16 games. However, bettors should note that the total has gone OVER in 7 of Akron’s last 10 games against Northern Illinois, indicating a trend of high-scoring affairs between these teams. Their home record has been underwhelming, with a 1-5 SU in their last 6 home games, providing a potential edge to the Huskies.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Akron Zips 10/07/23 Betting Picks
Considering the data and trends, this game could likely see Northern Illinois continuing their dominance against Akron Zips. Their historical performance against the Zips is hard to ignore.
While both teams are struggling this season, the Northern Illinois Huskies’ slightly better offensive assets may give them the edge. However, the over seems a tantalizing option, given the historical trends of high-scoring games between these two teams. As always, bettors should tread cautiously, keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of college football, but Northern Illinois seems the safer pick. Top-rated handicappers are likely to keep a close eye on this matchup.
Free Pick and Prediction: Northern Illinois Huskies 27, Akron Zips 20.