Northern Illinois Huskies vs Fresno State Bulldogs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 12/23/2024

Game Time: 2:30 pm ET, Monday, December 23, 2024

Venue:  Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  NIU -3, Fresno +3; Over/Under:  40.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  NIU -3, Fresno +3; Over/Under:  40.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  NIU -3, Fresno +3; Over/Under:  40.5 points

Northern Illinois Huskies:  7-5 (4-4) (7th place, MAC)

Fresno State Bulldogs:  6-6 (4-3) (4th place, MWC)

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Northern Illinois Huskies:  won their last game at home against the Central Michigan Chippewas 24-16.

Fresno State Bulldogs:  lost their last game on the road against the UCLA Bruins 20-13.

Northern Illinois is entering this game with a 7-5 record overall and they have a 4-4 record in their conference games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Central Michigan 24-16. Ethan Hampton was the starting QB and he completed 19/29 passes for 169 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Telly Johnson Jr. led the team in rushing yards with 84 and 1 TD. Trayvon Rudolph led the receivers with 97 receiving yards on 9 receptions. Santana Banner led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Roy Williams each led the defense in sacks with 1. Jacob Finley came away with the only interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Fresno State is entering this game with a 6-6 record overall and they have a 4-3 record in their conference games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 2-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They lost their last game against UCLA 20-13. Mikey Keene was the starting QB and he completed 30/43 passes for 219 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Bryson Donelson led the team in rushing yards with 41. Mac Dalena led the receivers with 47 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Alzillion Hamilton led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Dean Clark and Phoenix Jackson each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Northern Illinois listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Northern Illinois has looked good in their games this season with their 7-5 record overall, but their 4-4 conference record has them right in the middle of the MAC. They ended the regular season with a win over CMU in their last one and their defense has looked really good all season, not giving up many points at all. Meanwhile, Fresno State hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 6-6 record overall, but it was enough to get them to this game. They are also 4-3 in their conference games which has them near the top of the MWC, but they weren't really competing for the title either. They are coming off a loss to UCLA in their last one and they have had a few bad games this season against weaker opponents. Their defense hasn't looked good in their games either, giving up quite a few points to bad offenses in their own conference. NIU doesn't have a great offense, but they have been able to put up points when they need to and they also have a much bigger edge with their defense in this game. They won't give up a lot of points here and they are going to make it really difficult for this Fresno State offense to move the ball. NIU will get their chances to score on this shaky Fresno defense too. The best way to place a bet here is on Northern Illinois to cover the spread in this game. 

Northern Illinois Fresno State Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Monday, December 23, 2024 (2:30 pm ET start time) is NIU 23 Fresno 16.

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Northern Illinois Huskies: 4-17 ATS as a favorite. 2-8 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 2-6 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better. 6-3 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 9-5 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive straight up wins. 9-5 1H UNDER after playing a game at home.

Fresno State Bulldogs: 3-0 ATS in a bowl game. 8-4 1H ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 4-0 1H ATS versus good rushing defenses - allowing 120 rushing yards/game or less. 3-0 UNDER in a bowl game. 5-1 UNDER after a bye week. 8-4 UNDER when playing against a team with a winning record.

Northern Illinois Huskies:  K. Thomas (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Schutty (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Lewis (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Johnson (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Gore (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Appleget (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Seibert (K) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Pipkin (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Paasch (OL) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Brown (RB) Questionable - Leg. A. Knighten (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed.

Fresno State Bulldogs:  J. Freeman (WR) Out - Undisclosed. M. Hines (DL) Out - Undisclosed. M. Sherrod (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed.

"We are extremely excited to have an opportunity to go to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and play a strong Mountain West opponent in Fresno State. There is no such thing as a bad bowl and I have heard nothing but great things about Boise and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. What a great reward for the hard work and dedication the players and coaches have put in all year long.  We love the date of the game, which gives us time to develop our younger players during these bowl practices and then allows everyone to enjoy the holidays. Playing a team we haven't seen before [during my tenure] is always exciting and Fresno State will present a great challenge. Our players and staff are determined to do everything we can to bring a bowl trophy home for the second year in a row." - Thomas Hammock on playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. 

"I am deeply honored to join the Fresno State family as the head football coach. This University's rich tradition of excellence, both on and off the field, aligns perfectly with my values and coaching philosophy. My family and I are excited to become part of the vibrant Valley community and contribute to the University's mission. I am committed to leading our student-athletes with integrity, resilience, diligence, and selflessness, striving for success in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Together, we will build upon the strong foundation in place and aim for new heights. Go 'Dogs!" - Matt Entz on becoming the new head coach of Fresno State.

WR Thompson, Cam

WR McElroy, Andrew 

WR Rudolph, Trayvon

TE Barnes, Grayson 

QB Hampton, Ethan

RB Johnson Jr., Telly 

FB Lampe, Brock

WR Dalena, Mac 

WR Moss, Jalen

WR James, Chedon 

TE Boust, Jake 

QB Keene, Mikey 

RB Sherrod, Malik 

Passing: E. Hampton (1600)

Rushing: G. Williams (741)

Receiving: T. Rudolph (392)

Touchdowns: G. Williams (5)

Passing: M. Keene (2887)

Rushing: E. Gilliam (466)

Receiving: M. Dalena (941)

Touchdowns: E. Gilliam (8)

Coaches:

Northern Illinois Huskies: Thomas Hammock (6th season)

Fresno State Bulldogs: Tim Skipper (Interim)