College Football Predictions: Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Saturday, 17 September 2011 00:27

We are ready to make score predictions in our college football preview of the Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin game.

The Northern Illinois Huskies (1-1) will have a big test on their hands in the form of the #8 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0), and we hope that our preview of the game will have everyone picking the correct team.  We’ll preview what both have done this season, and what both are ultimately capable of doing.  After we break down the strengths and weaknesses we’ll make predictions on the final score in the Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin game as well.

Wisconsin opened up their season with a 51-17 win against UNLV before taking out Oregon State 35-0 last time out.  Both clashes were homes games for Wisconsin and the Badgers will once again be at Camp Randall Stadium for the game against Northern Illinois.  The Huskies looked good in their 49-26 opener against Army but fell just short in their 42-45 road loss to Kansas last time out.

Northern Illinois has a senior-laden offense and they are lead by Chandler Harnish (510 yards, 75.0%, 7 TD, 1 INT) at quarterback.  The Huskies have a tremendous offense that runs for 218.0 a game while adding another 267.5 passing yards each time out.  They’ll be going against a Wisconsin defense that hasn’t allowed many points but has shown some holes.  The Badgers have played against some horrible offenses but have given up way more yards than a good defense would have allowed.

One thing that won’t be a problem here for Wisconsin is their offense that is averaging 43.0 points and 448.0 yards per game.  North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson (444 yards, 79.4%, 5 TD, 0 INT) has been excellent at quarterback, but you have to realize he’s done most of his work against lesser defenses.  Northern Illinois may just be one of those lesser defenses after allowing 278.0 rushing yards per game this year, and Wisconsin should move the ball well on the ground.

Legends Sportsbook has the college football odds showing the Badgers as 17-point favorites with the total set high at 64.5 points.  Close to 80% of tacked bettors are taking Wisconsin here despite the fact that the Badgers barely held on for a 28-20 home win as 16.5-point favorites against Northern Illinois in 2009.  Click the link in the first sentence of this paragraph to claim a 25% cash bonus on your first deposit.

We know that Wisconsin is going to score points, and I believe that Northern Illinois will be able to put a large number on the scoreboard as well.  The Badgers are probably strong enough to pull out the victory at home but I love the points on the Huskies, as well as the over.  Our Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin predictions call for a high-scoring, close game, and we wouldn’t be shocked if the Badgers do find a way to lose.

Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin Score Predictions:

Northern Illinois 31

Wisconsin 38