With only a few weeks left, these weekday MAC matchups weigh even heavier as conference championship appearances are on the line. Week 13 brings us a matchup between the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-4, 3-3 MAC) and Miami (OH) RedHawks (6-4, 5-1 MAC).
Northern Illinois is coming off a 29-16 win over Akron, while Miami (OH) most recently dominated Kent State by a score of 34-7.
The RedHawks enter as a -2.5 favorite with an over/under of 42.5.
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Prediction
- Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH) Pick: Northern Illinois ML +115
My Miami (OH) vs. Northern Illinois best bet is on the Huskies to win outright, with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Odds
| Northern Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 42.5 -110 / -110 | +110 |
| Miami (OH) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 42.5 -110 / -110 | -130 |
- Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Spread: Northern Illinois +2.5 (-110) · Miami (OH) -2.5 (-110)
- Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Over/Under: 42.5
- Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Moneyline: Northern Illinois +110 · Miami (OH) -130
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Preview
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview: Defense Needs to Step Up
Head coach Thomas Hammock has had his ups and downs this season, but has an opportunity to play spoiler to Miami’s conference championship hopes with a road win.
The Huskies will be without star running back Antario Brown again this week but have proven they can find offensive success without him.
The Huskies are averaging nearly 26 points per game thanks to their ground game. The run game, led by Brown, has been fantastic, but backup Telly Johnson also went over 100 rushing yards last week.
The NIU rushing attack ranks 44th in Rush Success Rate but only 120th in Rush Explosiveness.
The most important part of this offense has been Ethan Hampton and the passing game, which ranks 54th in Pass Success Rate and 14th in Pass Explosiveness.
I expect Northern Illinois' offense to continue to find success, as it boasts one of the most consistent offenses in the conference this season.
Defensively, the Huskies have been solid, but this unit is definitely the weaker part of the team. The Huskies allow 18.5 points and 284 yards of offense per game.
NIU stops the run well, as evidenced by its rank of 51st in Rush Success Rate allowed, but its pass defense has been spottier with a rank of 78th in Pass Success Rate allowed.
While the defense has been fairly steady from a Success Rate perspective, it struggles to limit big plays.
Northern Illinois ranks 115th in Explosiveness allowed, so it will need to be focused and limit the big plays in this one.
Miami RedHawks Betting Preview: Gabbert Leads the Way
Head coach Chuck Martin has his team in a position to reach another MAC Championship game if it can win each of its next two games. Of course, that's easier said than done.
The Miami (OH) offense averages 24 points per game, but that feels more inflated than it should be based on the underlying metrics and strength of schedule it's faced.
The RedHawks have one of the worst run games in the country, ranking 130th in Rush Success Rate and 134th in Rush Explosiveness.
Quarterback Brett Gabbert and the passing game have been better, ranking 53rd in Pass Success Rate but 108th in Pass Explosiveness. The RedHawks will need to rely on Gabbert to make plays to come out with a home win.
The strength of many of Martin’s teams has been the defense, but this year is a different story. The RedHawks allow 18.7 points per game but have given up 320 yards per game.
While they've been great in the red zone, they rank 112th in Success Rate allowed.
They will need to hold strong again in the red zone again against a very steady Northern Illinois offense.
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Northern Illinois and Miami (OH) match up statistically:
Northern Illinois Offense vs. Miami (OH) Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 44 | 81 | |
| Line Yards | 12 | 103 | |
| Pass Success | 54 | 20 | |
| Havoc | 56 | 68 | |
| Finishing Drives | 93 | 3 | |
| Quality Drives | 17 | 19 |  |
Miami (OH) Offense vs. Northern Illinois Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 118 | 53 | |
| Line Yards | 58 | 75 | |
| Pass Success | 46 | 7 | |
| Havoc | 82 | 41 | |
| Finishing Drives | 102 | 14 | |
| Quality Drives | 38 | 24 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 2 | 97 |
| PFF Coverage | 21 | 86 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 120 | 44 |
| Middle 8 | 14 | 64 |
| Seconds per Play | 27.8 (87) | 30.0 (123) |
| Rush Rate | 60% (11) | 49% (105) |
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Pick & Prediction
The difference in this game comes with the disparity between these offenses.
Northern Illinois’ offense is significantly better, and I don't trust Miami (OH) to keep up with the Huskies as long as they can score touchdowns — not field goals — in the red zone.
I think the wrong team is favored and will take Northern Illinois to win this game outright.
Pick: Northern Illinois ML +115
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Start Time, TV Channel, Location, How to Watch
| Location: | Fred C. Yager Stadium, Oxford, OH |
| Date: | Tuesday, Nov. 19 |
| Kickoff Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Northern Illinois makes the trip to Oxford, Ohio, on Tuesday to face Miami (OH) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Betting Trends
Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) Weather
