Kent State at Northern Illinois College Football Picks & Predictions 10/7/2017

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Kent State Golden Flashes travel to Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium to take on the NIU Huskies on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The opening line for this game has Northern Illinois as 24 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 45.5. The Golden Flashes have an ATS record of 1-4-0 while their over/under record is 2-3-0. The Huskies have an over/under record of 1-3-0 and they are 4-0-0 against the spread.

Valuable Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Trends

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 2-3-0 against the over/under

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 1-4-0 against the spread

Important NIU Huskies Betting Trends

The NIU Huskies are 1-3-0 against the over/under

The NIU Huskies are 4-0-0 against the spread

Key Kent State Golden Flashes Injuries

10/01/17 OL Mike Marinelli Arm "?" Saturday vs. No Illinois
10/01/17 DB Miles Daniel Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. No Illinois
09/20/17 RB Myles Washington ACL out for season
09/18/17 LB Matt Bahr Knee out for season
09/18/17 QB Nick Holley Knee out for season
08/19/17 QB Mylik Mitchell Knee out indefinitely

Key NIU Huskies Injuries

10/01/17 LB Antonio Jones-Davis Suspension 1-game suspension (eligible to return 10/14 vs. Buffalo U)
09/14/17 WR Chad Beebe Shoulder expected to miss 3-4 weeks
09/08/17 QB Ryan Graham Elbow expected to miss 2-4 weeks

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 126th in Division 1 in points scored with 57. They have run 309 plays this season for 1,372 yards, which ranks them 123rd in the nation in total offense. The Golden Flashes average 4.4 yards per play, which is 124th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 71 1st downs this year, placing them 120th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Kent State has run for 818 yards as a team, which ranks 51st in the country. They've run 235 times, averaging 3.5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Golden Flashes have been penalized on offense 47 times for 435 yards so far this season, which has them 5th in the nation in penalties. Dustin Crum has thrown for 62 yards this season. He has completed 3 passes on 6 attempts for a completion percentage of 50%. His quarterback rating this year is 136.8. He averages 10.3 yards per pass attempt and 10.3 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Kent State is 117th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 177. They have surrendered a total of 2,427 yards on D, which is 121st in Division 1. The Golden Flashes are ranked 125th in yards per play allowed with 7.1. Opposing offenses have completed 92 passes on 148 attempts against the Kent State Golden Flashes defense this season, placing them 78th and 69th in the country. The Kent State pass defense has also given up a total of 1,277 yards through the air, which is 109th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 194 attempts for 1,150 yards this year, putting them in 117th place in D-1 against the run. The Golden Flashes have committed 35 penalties for 340 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 110th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Kent State is ranked 47th in the nation in punt returns with 8. They've accumulated 47 punt return yards and average 5.9 yards per return, which is 70th in college football. They have returned 16 kicks for 300 yards on special teams, ranking 41st in kick return yardage. The Golden Flashes average 19 yards per kick return and they are 111th in the country in all-purpose yards with 1,719. The Kent State Golden Flashes have attempted 6 field goals this season and made 4, which is 74th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 67%. Kent State Golden Flashes kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 5 for 5 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,558 yards on 34 punts, averaging 46 yards per punt. That places them 9th in Division 1 in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Huskies have run for 662 yards as a team, which ranks 79th in the nation. They've run 155 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Huskies have been penalized on offense 30 times for 331 yards so far this year, which has them 58th in the country in penalties. They are 101st in Division 1 in points scored with 107. They have run 292 plays this year for 1,531 yards, which ranks them 93rd in the nation in total offense. The NIU Huskies average 5.2 yards per play, which is 98th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 80 1st downs this season, ranking them 104th overall as an offensive unit. Daniel Santacaterina has completed 38 throws while attempting 56 passes for a completion percentage of 67.9%. He has passed for 380 yards this year. He averages 7.1 adjusted yards per throw and 6.8 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 139.

Defensive Statistics

The NIU Huskies rush defense has given up 167 attempts for 420 yards this season, putting them in 15th place in the country against the run. They have had 31 penalties for 328 yards on defense this year. That places them 106th in Division 1. Northern Illinois is 29th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 84. They have given up a total of 1,173 yards on D, which is 10th in the nation. The Huskies are 5th in yards per play allowed with 3.8. Opponent offenses have completed 75 throws on 141 attempts against the Northern Illinois defense this season, ranking them 41st and 54th in the country. The NIU Huskies pass defense has also surrendered a total of 753 yards in the air, which is 25th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The NIU Huskies have tried 7 field goals this year and made 3, which is 90th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 43%. Northern Illinois kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 14 for 14 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,154 yards on 28 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That ranks them 73rd in the NCAA in punting average. Northern Illinois is 16th in the country in punt returns with 11. They've totaled 40 punt return yards and average 3.6 yards per return, which is 101st in D-1. They have returned 12 kicks for 224 yards on special teams, which puts them 80th in kick return yardage. The Huskies average 19 yards per kick return and they are 107th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,795.

Who will win tonight's Golden Flashes/Huskies college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Golden Flashes +24

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald