UMass Minutemen vs NIU Huskies Prediction, 10/5/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UMass Minutemen vs NIU Huskies

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Location: Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL

TV: CBSSN

Odds/Point Spread: Huskies (-17.0)

Total/Over-Under: 44

The NIU Huskies (2-2) will play the UMass Minutemen (1-4) at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, October 5, 2024. UMass opens this game as 17.0-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 44.

The UMass Minutemen come into this game with a record of 1-4 for this season. In their last game, the Minutemen faced the Miami RedHawks and took a loss by a final of 23-20. The UMass Minutemen ran the ball 41 different times and totaled 171 yds, which came out to an average of 4.2 yards per attempt. In the game, they tallied 63 plays which gave them 344 yards. UMass conceded 16 completions on 25 attempts for a total of 181 yards, and a completion percentage of 64.0%. On the ground, the Minutemen conceded 168 yards on 36 attempts, which is an average of 4.7 yards per run allowed.

When it comes to getting in the endzone, the UMass Minutemen are averaging 19.0 PPG. As a team they're averaging 136.6 yards rushing ranking them 94th in D-1. The Minutemen have attained 1,700 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, UMass has totaled 5 touchdowns through the air and 6 rushing touchdowns. UMass has 100 1st downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 48 infractions for 441 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 3 different times.

The Minutemen are ranked 105th in Division 1 when it comes to team defense, allowing 30.8 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.9 yards per run and 120.8 rushing yards per contest on the campaign. Overall, they have given up 604 rushing yards through 5 contests. Concerning passing yardage, the Minutemen have conceded 939 yds which puts them in 66th in the nation. They are giving up 187.8 yards per contest through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 54.0%. During this campaign, they are granting 308.6 yards per outing which puts them 35th in D-1. They have allowed 8 touchdowns by air in addition to 8 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Huskies head into this matchup 2-2 this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Huskies went home defeated by a final of 24-17 against the NC State Wolfpack. NIU relinquished 27 rushing attempts for 62 yards (2.3 yards per carry). The Huskies passing defense gave up a completion rate of 65.0%, surrendering 109 yards on 13 for 20 passing. The Huskies finished the contest with 279 yards and they ran 73 plays (3.8 yds per play). NIU ran the ball for 2.7 yds per attempt, finishing the game with 120 yards on 44 carries.

In relation to the points being put on the board, the Huskies currently rank 87th in Division 1 averaging 26.8 points per contest. The NIU Huskies have an average of 433.0 yards/game, ranking them 42nd in Division 1. The NIU offense has 171 penalty yds on 17 infractions, which ranks 125th in the country in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 3 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 4 fumbles and they have obtained 90 1st downs. Over the course of the season thus far, the Huskies currently sit at 945 yards through the air not to mention an average of 236.3 throwing yards per game, which ranks 63rd in college football. They are averaging 196.8 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 787 yards for this year.

NIU has yielded a total of 356 yards rushing (89.0 yards/game) as well as 4 touchdowns on the ground for the season. They have allowed the opposition 3 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 145.8 yards per game, which has them in 10th in the nation. They have tallied 1 fumble recovered and 2 interceptions on the year. The Huskies defense has been on the field for 220 plays, which ranks 4th in Division 1. The Huskies are allowing 19.0 points per contest, ranking them 40th in the country. Overall, they have allowed 76 total points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Huskies -17.0

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