Western Michigan at Northern Illinois - 2021 Matchup Preview
Western Michigan logo Western Michigan Broncos at Northern Illinois HuskiesNorthern Illinois logo
Tuesday, November 23rd 2021 (7:00 PM EST)
Western Michigan -6.5 (60.0)
Western Michigan 42 - Northern Illinois: 21  (Mid-American)

 
Broncos (8 - 5) (6 - 6 - 1)
Coach Tim Lester (26 - 21)
Avg Score : 33 - 28 (27 - 30 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Wind: 19.9 MPH
WMU 2nd straight Road Game
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
WMU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: -1.5  (SP+ WMU -7.5)

Projected Score: WMU: 29 - NIU: 32 (61)
WMU Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
WMU Travel: 165 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Huskies (9 - 5) (9 - 4 - 1)
Coach Thomas Hammock (6 - 15)
Avg Score : 32 - 34 (33 - 30 @ Home)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Western Michigan's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Western Michigan at Michigan+16.565.5L 14 - 47UN
Sat 9/11 Western Michigan vs Illinois State-12.556.5W 28 - 0UY
Sat 9/18 Western Michigan at Pittsburgh+14.059.0W 44 - 41OY
Sat 9/25 Western Michigan vs San José State-2.561.5W 23 - 3UY
Sat 10/2 Western Michigan at Buffalo-7.059.5W 24 - 17UN
Sat 10/9 Western Michigan vs Ball State-13.057.5L 20 - 45ON
Sat 10/16 Western Michigan vs Kent State-7.068.5W 64 - 31OY
Sat 10/23 Western Michigan at Toledo-1.554.5L 15 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/3 Western Michigan vs Central Michigan-9.064.5L 30 - 42ON
Tue 11/9 Western Michigan vs Akron-24.562.0W 45 - 40ON
Tue 11/16 Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan-6.066.0L 21 - 22UN
Tue 11/23 Western Michigan at Northern Illinois-6.560.0W 42 - 21OY
Mon 12/27 Western Michigan vs Nevada-7.056.0W 52 - 24OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Michigan's Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Northern Illinois at Georgia Tech+19.057.0W 22 - 21UY
Sat 9/11 Northern Illinois vs Wyoming+7.044.0L 43 - 50OY
Sat 9/18 Northern Illinois at Michigan+27.554.5L 10 - 63ON
Sat 9/25 Northern Illinois vs Maine-21.562.0W 41 - 14UY
Sat 10/2 Northern Illinois vs Eastern Michigan+0.062.5W 27 - 20UY
Sat 10/9 Northern Illinois at Toledo+13.051.5W 22 - 20UY
Sat 10/16 Northern Illinois vs Bowling Green-9.044.5W 34 - 26ON
Sat 10/23 Northern Illinois at Central Michigan+6.056.0W 39 - 38OY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/3 Northern Illinois at Kent State+3.572.0L 47 - 52ON
Wed 11/10 Northern Illinois vs Ball State+3.059.5W 30 - 29UY
Wed 11/17 Northern Illinois at Buffalo-2.059.5W 33 - 27OY
Tue 11/23 Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan+6.560.0L 21 - 42ON
Sat 12/4 Northern Illinois vs Kent State+3.575.5W 41 - 23UY
Fri 12/17 Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina+11.063.0L 41 - 47OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2021)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU.3150%32.552%3.5421447%2544.16.2239%28.243%35%3.7258.91.21.3
NIU.3147%32.249%3.4424244%1874.18.3549%33.753%45%4.3745.31.30.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU#43 (.24)45% (33)45% (59)3.05 (62)18446% (27)1874.11 (49)#122 (.29)49% (128)48% (115)51% (132)4.38 (119)39.211.6
NIU#86 (.16)42% (79)44% (72)3.25 (33)20440% (86)1793.39 (113)#11 (.06)38% (19)41% (52)35% (9)3.08 (12)42.81.21.1



Overall Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Offense1332.526.749.9%4.161.2254682142544.758%42%52%47%13%.31
NIU Defense1433.730.249%4.370.9 - - - - - 52%48%53%45%13%.35
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Defense1328.230.338.9%3.721.3 - - - - - 51%49%43%35%22%.22
NIU Offense1432.232.746.7%4.181.3234292421875.263%36%49%44%14%.31

Additional Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Michigan1335:1724.846%46%6.858.91.21.37.53.3228.2
Northern Illinois1433:3022.937%84%545.31.30.94.41.4329.1
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Offense1358%52%45.4214.14.731.283.5467%8%0.93
NIU Defense1452%53% - - - - .373.6578%9%1.06
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Defense1351%43% - - - - .212.8271%16%1.17
NIU Offense1463%49%46.4241.55.236.293.4477%10%1.06

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Offense1342%47%17.928.3253.6914.2236.41.725%35%.476%2.2
NIU Defense1448%45% - - - - - - 3.341.730%37%.494%2.1
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Defense1349%35% - - - - - - 4.231.835%26%.226%2
NIU Offense1436%44%14.625.4187.47.412.8158.381.631%34%.444%2

Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: NR
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: NR
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #106
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Western Michigan's 2021 Expected Record: -
Western Michigan's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.6  #76
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1  #39
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.0  #91

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan:    Northern Illinois: -1.05

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: 0.6   Northern Illinois: -7.1




Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -1.05 NR
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: NR
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #114
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Northern Illinois's 2021 Expected Record: -
Northern Illinois's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.1  #98
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.4  #62
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.1  #117

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482


Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 32.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 26.7
Defense: 28.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.3

Western Michigan's 2021 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 1
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 5 - 1
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 32
Western Michigan 29


Total Points: 61

Based on Last 4 Games
Northern Illinois 32
Western Michigan 28

Total Points: 60

Based on Entire Season
Western Michigan 31
Northern Illinois 31

Total Points: 62
Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 32.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.7
Defense: 33.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.2

Northern Illinois's 2021 Record
Record: 9 - 5
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 8 - 6
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 2 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 3 - 1
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 1


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/18Northern Illinois19Western Michigan35Western Michigan -7Western Michigan39.5Over
202411/06Western Michigan28Northern Illinois42Northern Illinois -2.5Northern Illinois51.5Over
202311/14Northern Illinois24Western Michigan0Northern Illinois -4.5Northern Illinois55.5Under
202211/09Western Michigan21Northern Illinois24Northern Illinois -1Northern Illinois49.0Under
202111/23Northern Illinois21Western Michigan42Western Michigan -6.5Western Michigan60.0Over
202011/28Western Michigan30Northern Illinois27Western Michigan -18.5Northern Illinois64.5Under
201911/26Northern Illinois17Western Michigan14Western Michigan -10Northern Illinois51.0Under
201811/20Western Michigan28Northern Illinois21Northern Illinois -6.5Western Michigan48.5Over
201711/15Northern Illinois35Western Michigan31Northern Illinois -9Western Michigan49.5Over
201610/08Western Michigan45Northern Illinois30Western Michigan -19Northern Illinois68.5Over
201511/18Northern Illinois27Western Michigan19Northern Illinois -3.5Northern Illinois59.5Under
201411/28Western Michigan21Northern Illinois31Western Michigan -7Northern Illinois0
201311/26Northern Illinois33Western Michigan14Northern Illinois -33.5Western Michigan0
201210/27Western Michigan34Northern Illinois48
201110/15Northern Illinois51Western Michigan22
201010/30Western Michigan21Northern Illinois28
200910/03Northern Illinois38Western Michigan3
200809/06Western Michigan29Northern Illinois26
200710/13Northern Illinois13Western Michigan17
200610/14Western Michigan16Northern Illinois14
200511/23Northern Illinois42Western Michigan7
200410/23Western Michigan38Northern Illinois59
200310/18Northern Illinois37Western Michigan10
200210/26Western Michigan20Northern Illinois24
200110/20Northern Illinois20Western Michigan12
200010/20Western Michigan52Northern Illinois22
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northern Illinois1786 Overs
Western Michigan955 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams16 - 104 - 92 - 52 - 4
Road Teams10 - 169 - 44 - 25 - 2

(#) WMU at (#) NIU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWMUNIU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #76 #98
Perf GradeGrade #45 #105
OffenseOff #18 #51
DefenseDef #88 #128
Spec TeamsST #134 #78
TalentTal #106 #114
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Western Michigan on Offense
CategoryCat
WMU OffNIU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #18 #128
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #39 #117
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Western Michigan Run Game
CategoryCat
WMU OffNIU Def
Run GameRun #67 #127
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #24 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #72
Western Michigan Pass Game
CategoryCat
WMU OffNIU Def
Pass GamePass #47 #121
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #26 #127
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Northern Illinois on Offense
CategoryCatNIU OffWMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #51 #88
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #62 #91
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Northern Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
NIU OffWMU Def
Run GameRun #25 #88
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #52 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #121
Northern Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCatNIU OffWMU Def
Pass GamePass #104 #116
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #68 #7
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
NIU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'21 Profile: Up to Average G5

WMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'21 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 34° - Wind: 20 mph
Rematch from Week 13
Western Michigan 6.5 (60.0)
Western Michigan won at Northern Illinois this year (42-21)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Western Michigan last year (42-28)
Northern Illinois beat Western Michigan in 2023 (24-0)
Northern Illinois beat Western Michigan in 2022 (24-21)

  
WMU's OC Mike Bath (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Lou Esposito (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

NIU's OC Eric Eidsness (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Derrick Jackson (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD