Kent State vs. Northern Illinois Week 14 Picks: Will the Golden Flashes Cover Again as Slight favorites?

The MAC provided nail-biters all season. Can Northern Illinois upset Kent State to win the MAC championship? Let's break down the title game in our Kent State-Northern Illinois picks.

No MAC team ran away with the conference this year, with every squad losing at least four games, and two within the conference. That creates an intriguing championship clash between Kent State and Northern Illinois.

The Golden Flashes (6-6 ATS) have produced a strong record when favored, but anything can happen in a conference title game. They’ll bring a potent offense to town to face the Huskies (7-4-1 ATS). Northern Illinois has defied the odds all year, but can the Huskies do it once more? 

Here are my picks and predictions for the MAC Championship matchup between the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Northern Illinois Huskies (odds via FanDuel, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star ranking)

Kent State vs. Northern Illinois Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4 at noon ETTV: ESPNLocation: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Kent State vs. Northern Illinois Odds Analysis

The lines have remained steady to this point. The spread opened at 2.5 and has stayed there. However, FanDuel requires more than the traditional $110 bet to earn $100 if you pick the Golden Flashes to cover. The odds at FanDuel are Kent State -2.5 (-114) and Northern Illinois +2.5 (-106).

The total is at 74.5 with -110 odds on both the Over and Under. Each team would likely need to score 30-plus points for the Over to hit, unless one squad runs away with this one. The latter scenario seems unlikely given the spread

Kent State vs. Northern Illinois Picks

Kent State -2.5 (-114) ????Under 74.5 (-110) ???

SEE ALSO: College Football Week 14 Parlay Picks

Kent State vs. Northern Illinois Predictions

Kent State -2.5 (-114)

The only thing that I don’t like here is this pick isn't at -110. Since you already need to risk more for the same payout, consider adding the moneyline to a parlay. However, I expect the Golden Flashes to cover easily.

Kent State has produced a great record as favorites of at least 2.5 points this season, going 5-1 against the spread. The school also earned a five-point victory over Northern Illinois earlier this year at home.

The Golden Flashes have also committed fewer turnovers despite fielding a more explosive offense that averages 488.3 yards per game. Northern Illinois has struggled to force turnovers all year while recording just eight, and that will make it difficult for the Huskies to keep up.

Under 74.5 (-110)

The last game between these two teams featured 99 points. That makes it hard to back the Under here. However, I think the line is elevated too much because of the previous contest. Both teams are familiar with the opponent, which helps each school prepare and adjust. 

Conference championships can add nerves, and both offenses could struggle early due to the stress of the moment. Even if that anxiousness dies down, there may not be enough time for the Over to hit once the points start flowing.

Each offense will need to demolish the opposing defense, and one side faltering feels more likely.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Kent State-Northern Illinois Picks made 11/30/2021 at 11:10 a.m. ET