The much-anticipated NCAA football showdown will become a dogfight as the Northern Illinois Huskies (2-1) head out to play against the NC State Wolfpack (2-2) at Carter-Finley Stadium. A broadcast on The CW Network will feature this contest as the midday game, where the resilient Huskies go up against the struggling Wolfpack trying to find their footing. Before we go to our NCAAF free picks, allow us to reflect on the recent form of both teams coming into this Week 5 match that could change their season for the better.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. NC State Wolfpack 9/28/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Carter-Finley Stadium |
| TV: | The CW Network |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Northern Illinois Huskies (2-1) vs. NC State Wolfpack (2-2)
The Northern Illinois Huskies have proved to be a tenacious and tumultuous team this season. They opened the season with a jaw-dropping dominance over Western Illinois with a score of 54-15, surprisingly edged out Notre Dame but didn’t quite finish the recent game against Buffalo quite as well. Their offense – particularly the running game, spearheaded by Antario Brown – with an impressive 6 yards to every rushing attempt even though the running backs haven’t rushed for a touchdown this season. Throughout the years, the Huskies have had poor showings against teams belonging to the Atlantic Coast Conference, and this could also fit into the tale as they prepare for this game.
Conversely, NC State has slowly gotten out of the gate with a 2-2 record. Despite a convincing victory against Louisiana Tech, the team’s latest match, lost to Clemson, has highlighted some defensive weaknesses. Jordan Waters has been a key player for the team with 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns, proving there is a good running attack. They will be looking to extend their impressive 6-0 home game win, streaks which will serve as a mental edge. The Wolfpack could take advantage of this historical domination because they are 6-1 SU against Mid-American conference teams in their performance.
Ethan Hampton QB vs. CJ Bailey QB
Ethan Hampton for the Huskies is off to a blistering start this season, boasting a 71.8% completion rate and a remarkable 235.9 passer rating, clearly setting a high bar with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He also adds an extra dimension to the Huskies’ offense, throwing an 83-yard bomb as a deep-threat weapon. This opportune time will be critical for Hampton’s accuracy and judgment as he will encounter a Wolfpack defense that has been exposed.
CJ Bailey at NC’s State side is the quarterback who has so far thrown for 360 yards completing 29 of his 45 pass attempts. His completion ratio is 64.4% while his passer rating equals 130 which is quite good considering the difficulty of the situation given Bailey’s circumstances. Well, the advanced statistics of Bailey include a longest completion of 33 yards with only a single touchdown to his name, while throwing a couple of interceptions and getting sacked twice which show that there are some weak areas that the Husky’s could take advantage of.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: NC State Wolfpack -11.5 (-110), Total Odds: 46.5
Considering the current betting landscape, the -11.5 spread for NC State despite their inconsistencies might raise eyebrows. However, their strong home record and the historical struggle of the Huskies against ACC teams provide some justification. The total going over 46.5 in most of the Huskies’ recent games suggests potential for a high-scoring affair, particularly if Hampton can exploit the Wolfpack’s defensive gaps.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends
The Huskies’ betting trends show a robust ATS record in their last 7 Week 5 games (6-1 ATS). Their ability to cover the spread in varied scenarios, coupled with a strong start to the season, could entice bettors looking for an underdog with a proven track record of upsetting or keeping it close.
NC State Wolfpack Betting Trends
NC State’s troubling trend (0-5 ATS in their last 5 games) signals a disconnect between expectations and outcomes. Bettors might be wary, but the Wolfpack’s strong home performance and dominance over Mid-American teams could shift some opinions.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. NC State Wolfpack 9/28/24 Betting Picks
The confrontation of these two teams, the Huskies and the Wolfpack presents a different trend and current form for each of the teams. It’s tricky, the Huskies appear to be able to cover the spread, but then again the Wolfpack has been good at home. However, looking at general trends in both teams’ plays, it can be argued that based on past games the Wolf packs will be favored at home and this will be a high-scoring affair.
The better risk might be in the better alternative possibly getting more than 46.5 points on the total. Go swerve significant bets on prop betting on Hampton’s yards thrown and Waters’ yards rushing. Best handicapper free tips recommend observing the movements of the line as the game approaches the day itself to come up with last minute ideas.