Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-6) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (6-6)
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Northern Illinois Huskies 12/23/23 – The NCAAF Camellia Bowl features an exciting contest between Arkansas State Red Wolves and Northern Illinois Huskies, each boasting 6-6 records. Set for Saturday at the Cramton Bowl, fans and bettors alike are set for a thrilling showdown! ESPN will show this action-packed contest live as these evenly-matched teams strive for victory to end their seasons on an upbeat note – perfect for anyone interested in NCAAF bowl daily free picks as it provides insight into team dynamics and player impact!
Arkansas State’s season has been elevated by the performances of Ja’Quez Cross and Courtney Jackson, two key offensive weapons who have proven invaluable this year. Cross has led Arkansas State with 688 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns while Jackson has made big plays downfield with his 658 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
Antario Brown has been an outstanding running back for Northern Illinois, amassing 1164 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns to show his ability as a game-changer on the ground. Wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (499 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns), although not statistically as dominant, plays an essential role in their passing attack.
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Northern Illinois Huskies Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Cramton Bowl |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jaylen Raynor QB vs. Rocky Lombardi QB
At quarterback, this game features two seasoned signal-callers looking to cap off their seasons on a high note. For Arkansas State, Jaylen Raynor has put together a strong 2023 campaign. He’s passed for over 2300 yards while completing nearly 60% of his attempts and has accounted for 15 total touchdowns through the air. Raynor has displayed quality decision-making for the most part, throwing just 6 interceptions on the year. He also brings mobility and playmaking ability as a runner when the pocket collapses. If Raynor can avoid the costly mistake and efficiently distribute the ball to his playmakers downfield, he gives the Red Wolves offense a dangerous dimensions.
On the other side, Rocky Lombardi pilots the Northern Illinois attack. He hasn’t matched his statistical heights of last season but has still delivered a solid showing. Lombardi has completed 57% of his throws for over 2000 passing yards and 10 touchdowns versus 5 picks. He brings poise and experience to the quarterback position. Lombardi limits risks and generally takes good care of the football. Continuing that prudent style will be pivotal if the Huskies hope to keep pace. This game may well come down to which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes. Both Raynor and Lombardi have shown the capability to successfully manage an offense this season. But in a tightly-contested affair, one critical error could spell the difference. Whichever veteran field general protects the football better likely guides their squad to victory on Saturday.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Arkansas State Red Wolves -113, Total Odds: 53.5
The close betting odds with Arkansas State as slight favorites and a total point spread of 53.5 reflect the evenly matched nature of this game. This presents an intriguing scenario for bettors, with the outcome potentially hinging on key plays.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Trends
The Red Wolves enter on a 4-1 ATS run in their last 5 overall. They also play well as favorites, going 4-1 straight-up in their past 5 games as chalk. 6 of Arkansas State’s last 7 December contests have gone UNDER the total. However, their defense has let them down recently in road games on Saturdays, with a 3-17 SU mark in their past 20 such contests.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends
Northern Illinois has struggled to cover spreads of late, going just 1-4 ATS over their previous 5 outings. On the flip side, the Huskies have played reasonably well straight-up down the stretch, winning 5 of their last 7 games. But Northern Illinois has really struggled in December showdowns, going 1-8 SU in their last 9. When catching points as underdogs though, they tend to show fight, evidenced by an 8-2 ATS record their past 10 as the dog.
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Northern Illinois Huskies 12/23/23 Betting Picks
The game promises to be a closely fought affair, with Arkansas State’s slightly better overall performance giving them a narrow edge. However, Northern Illinois’ capability as an underdog should not be underestimated, making this a tricky pick.
For those looking for premium top picks, considering the over/under and focusing on individual player prop bets could offer value. The performance of key players like Raynor and Brown will likely play a significant role in the game’s outcome.
Free Pick and Prediction: Arkansas State Red Wolves 27, Northern Illinois Huskies 24