I hate starting out with the MAC, but the more I watch NIU the more I see them playing better as a team. Last year they were hit right between the eyes by Bowling Green 42-27. This year there will be a little extra motivation to get an 11th win and make sure that does not happen again. Both NIU losses this season were against #17 and #23 Rushing Defenses. Bowling Green is 96th and even worse in Pass D, 124th.
NIU should be focused and has the opportunity to slow this game down with their Rushing attack and keep BG Offense off the field. All but two of NIU's wins have been won by more than 5.5 points, and every BG loss has been by 7 points or more. I also don't like the fact that BG rolls into the game with 2 straight losses on their backs.....that never bodes well for confidence.
NIU -5.5 for 3 Units.
Line movement sucks but whatever....its the MAC and I would shoot myself for playing BG regardless; they are outmatched on paper. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself....why would I play a team that does not have a win on their record against a team that has more than 6 wins. Ohio is 6-6, the rest of their wins come against losing records with 5 wins or less. NIU is 10-2. So even the BG numbers overwhelmingly say play NIU.
So I play it.....
NIU should be focused and has the opportunity to slow this game down with their Rushing attack and keep BG Offense off the field. All but two of NIU's wins have been won by more than 5.5 points, and every BG loss has been by 7 points or more. I also don't like the fact that BG rolls into the game with 2 straight losses on their backs.....that never bodes well for confidence.
NIU -5.5 for 3 Units.
Line movement sucks but whatever....its the MAC and I would shoot myself for playing BG regardless; they are outmatched on paper. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself....why would I play a team that does not have a win on their record against a team that has more than 6 wins. Ohio is 6-6, the rest of their wins come against losing records with 5 wins or less. NIU is 10-2. So even the BG numbers overwhelmingly say play NIU.
So I play it.....
