[Pivotpoint]

​Northern Ill (- 5 1/2) vs Ball State. Wed Night on ESPN2.



Game is being played @ Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, Il. A farming community that supports the team, rain, shine, or snow.

Camera men won't have to worry about panning out in this MAC game. Huskies lead nation in consecutive victories in Huskie Stadium @ 24.

An eye opening stat is that the 2013 Seniors on the team have never lost a home game. Never. They will be wearing special jersey's in a game designated "Hero's Game" with stripes on one shoulder and stars on the other. Jerseys will be auctioned after the game to support various veterans, police, fire, groups.

NIU has cashed last 3 tickets . 5 of 6. NIU has won last 4 (2-2 ats) 5 of 7 in this series.

Now to the players and biggest reason I like NIU.

Jordan Lynch is the Senior QB for Huskies. 19-2 as a starter and has thrown a TD pass in 20 consecutive games. He plays like a LB and is deadly on his feet. Kid is tough as nails and seems to almost will his team to victory. 1150 rushing, 1871 passing, 63.6 comp % 19/5 ratio.

Keith Wenning for Ball St is also a SR QB. Strong Arm. Basically a pocket passer, 36 total rushing yards, but he can sling it. 3164 yards in the air, 62.9 comp % 27/5 ratio.

Ball St has the edge in passing #16 vs #109. NIU pass #66 vs BS#46

NIU has edge in rushing #4 vs #98 . Ball St rush #81 vs NIU #42

Huskies have a huge edge @ home, as stated above. This game has big bowl implications for both teams.

Huskies have a great kicker ranked # 5 Nationally in SR Mathew Sims 11-14 FG (8 for 8 inside the 40).

Huskie Def tackle Ken Bishop is explosive from the DT position and will put big pressure on Wenning. Safety Jimmie Ward is a ball hawk and will be looking to jump on a Wenning pass. Ward is tied @ #6 in the nation with 5 picks. Finally, TB Cameron Stinglly, is known to bring a little "sting" with his 244#. Stinglly runs like a Bull and punishes tacklers. If you don't wrap him up , he will continue on for additional yards. Stinglly has 784 yards and most of that (563) comes after contact.

Bottom Line, The Huskies come into this game off a little extra rest after pounding UMASS on 11/2. The minutemen couldn't stop Lynch, but they struggle to stop most offenses. Ball St foiled backers last week when they allowed the back door against the Chips, laying 21 and winning by 20.

Huskies will control clock and tempo with run game. A sturdy qb that can run and pass is tough to stop. Believe NIU has big home edge here and will look to continue impressive streak. Huskies will have no problem stopping Western Michigan in their final home game

I jumped on NIU right away @ - 5 1/2 (-113) . Expect # to move up, we'll see. Believe NIU is under rated and while Wenning has nice pass #'s, NIU brings the #5 total offense to this game. (prior to yesterdays stats being added) Ball St has a solid team and has done well by me, but see Huskies rolling here.


NIU - 5 1/2 (-113)

GL with your choice.

input or info on why you might like Ball St welcome.

[Urbanwildlife]

Excellent! You have stated it all, so I am not sure what more actual information that can be added.

[irish1]

Can' t disagree with one word you said and I am leaning heavy towards NIU!

[byrdpickem]

Good stuff! It's at -6 on my end, but if it stays under 7 I'm grabbing it tomorrow. Ball St defense has only managed to hold opponents under 20 points twice this year. NIU is going to score, and I think home-field is going to, at least, slow down the BS passing game a little bit.

[Pivotpoint]

The Huskies just moved to -7 (-103) where I play.

[ZINISTER]

Just a thought - the Huskies struggled with the Zips this year. The next game NIU QB broke a record, but just saying. lol They don't always play that good and I think it was at DeKalb. I don't remember, I live in Akron and should know that, going to say it was in DeKalb. I can't remember having to ponder going or not. Watch a good amount of MAC ball with Kent up the road and Zips in my back yard. Ball State is strong going to be a good game. No play for me going to try my luck with BG tonight. GL

[Pivotpoint]

Just a thought - the Huskies struggled with the Zips this year. The next game NIU QB broke a record, but just saying. lol They don't always play that good and I think it was at DeKalb. I don't remember, I live in Akron and should know that, going to say it was in DeKalb. I can't remember having to ponder going or not. Watch a good amount of MAC ball with Kent up the road and Zips in my back yard. Ball State is strong going to be a good game. No play for me going to try my luck with BG tonight. GL

Good observation. The game was in Dekalb. Jordan Lynch had an "off" game going 16 of 35 passing. Hard to imagine Huskies only putting up 27 with an offense that was averaging 42 ppg at that point vs Akrons 103rd scoring D.

My observation is that Huskies doesn't always come super fired up against what I might call MAC lower tier teams like they used to. Huskie defense is a notch lower and can cause problems with big spreads. It was (24) in that game

I have little fear that the # 5 nationally ranked O will not come into this game against Ball St fully focused in what will be one of their biggest games of the year. It's possible that they came into the Akron game thinking they could just go through the motions?

One of my first determinations is likelyhood of victory and then consideration of spread. I believe Huskies win and continue home win streak. Huskies bruising TB Stinglly should have a big game along with Lynch on the ground.

Akron actually has a better D than N.Ill or Ball St. Using yards per game. They have been showing improvement.

Akron # 72
N.Ill #84
Ball St #85

Ball St no slouch on O ranking in the top 25 @ #24.

N. Ill has a nice edge @ #5 + I believe the home field advantage will be big here.

A little trivia.

Buckeyes and Seminoles have explosive offenses, as everyone is aware of.

How many would say the Huskies rank higher in yards per game?

True.

N. Ill 545 , OSU 530, Noles 527.

On a sidenote, I like Buffalo quite a bit tonight getting 3 + the hook. Ohio looked soft last week , but + 10 seems a lot. I'm not playing that one straight up, but like them teased (6 1/2) to + 16 1/2. Have that linked with Buf +10, Clem -4,No.Ill (pk), Houston +22 and Stan +3. Looks super solid, but they all do before the games start. gl

[brewcrew2k]

As you stated Ball St is a very good team, also NIU at home is money. But IMO this is a three point game, gl with your play, I have made some cash on NIU this year, and I'm not giving it back on this game.

[JakeLc]

Ball St lives off of getting turnovers. If NIU doesn't cough up the ball could be a long night for Ball St

[ZINISTER]

After cappin this one I like the over. Stopping Lynch is not going to happen. The Huskies are not a very good defensive team. This is going to be a track meet. Neither team being able to stop the other. Can't settle on a side so I am going with the OVER. GL with NIU hope they score 70points.

[Urbanwildlife]

My suggestion on this game is if you are going to play it, play with a sportsbook that offers it on "in game progressive wagering". This way you can get a feel for how it is going to go, and adjust your wagers accordingly. I think it is going to be a high scoring game, and a close game.

[CDMKMP]

Not sure if NIU is better or worse off byes, but they are coming in with four extra days of rest compared to Ball St.

[Truufinator]

NIU - 7. Ball St. hasn't played any good calliber teams. This will be an eye opener for them.

[nammertl]

N.Ill will take it.

[ZINISTER]

I bet UNDERS 90% of the time. I am backing out on the OVER. There is better bets to be made. Think I will just fade Miami of Ohio as I have done all season. I have posted several times throughout the season about this being my go to bet. The spot is a bit high but, I think it is a better pick then the total in the NIU/ BallSt. game. Go Flashes and GL with NIU.

[BigdaddyQH]

The line has soared to 8 1/2 at some Vegas shops because the home teams do so well in weekday games. Excellent write up. The only thing that I can add is that Northern Illinois is still playing for another chance to get totally embarrased in a BCS game. They are currently #15 in the BCS Poll, but well behind #14 Fresno State, so NIU must win impressively or forget about seeing a BCS game. The MAC Champ goes to the really crappy "Go Daddy" Bowl. Only people hoping to see Danica will be at that game.

[potlimit]

NIU - 7. Ball St. hasn't played any good calliber teams. This will be an eye opener for them.

Um, Ball st. has beaten 8 losing programs and Iowa (by 3). If anything I think you could say they play pretty similar schedules. Not saying NIU isn't gonna win this one, but to infer some kind of SOS difference is a weak angle IMO.

PS. up to +9 Ball at 5dimes... small take for me.

[hawg200]

There is NO certainties in the MAC. Im leaning over as well. Got burned on the Ohio/Bowling Green over yesterday though. I figured Bowling Green would score a ton of points, I just didn't see Ohio not scoring any! All Solich needed to do was kick a field goal with :37 for the over win. They had ball on Bowling Green 25 and went for it on 4th and 17. Why not put some points on the board vs. letting your team get shut out. I guess it was the "right" thing to do and one of the unwritten rules of coaching.

[Tommy Karate]

nice write up

[inZane]

Gentleman, Long time reader, first post. Be careful with your totals.Weather is in low 30's with 15+mph gusty winds. Wind chill puts this in the teens. Good Luck to all!