Northern Illinois at Akron - 2023 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo Northern Illinois Huskies at Akron ZipsAkron logo
Saturday, October 7th 2023 (3:30 PM EDT)
Northern Illinois -4 (42.5) (0)  Open: 0.0
Northern Illinois 55 - Akron: 14  (Mid-American)

 
Huskies (7 - 6) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (18 - 29)
Avg Score : 25 - 21 (32 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.2 - 4.8 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NIU 2nd straight Road Game
AKR 2nd straight Home Game
AKR is playing their 6th straight game
NIU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -11   (SP+ NIU -15)

Projected Score: NIU: 29 - AKR: 18 (46)
NIU Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
NIU Travel: 381 miles, 1 hrs behind
Zips (2 - 10) (5 - 6 - 1)
Coach Joe Moorhead (3 - 12)
Avg Score : 16 - 28 (19 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#113)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northern Illinois's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2 Northern Illinois at Boston College+8.050.0W 27 - 24OY
Sat 9/9 Northern Illinois vs Southern Illinois-6.558.5L 11 - 14UN
Sat 9/16 Northern Illinois at Nebraska+11.542.5L 11 - 35ON
Sat 9/23 Northern Illinois vs Tulsa-3.554.5L 14 - 22UN
Sat 9/30 Northern Illinois at Toledo+13.048.0L 33 - 35OY
Sat 10/7 Northern Illinois at Akron-4.042.5W 55 - 14OY
Sat 10/14 Northern Illinois vs Ohio+5.545.0W 23 - 13UY
Sat 10/21 Northern Illinois vs Eastern Michigan-11.543.5W 20 - 13UN
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/31 Northern Illinois at Central Michigan-3.048.0L 31 - 37ON
Tue 11/7 Northern Illinois vs Ball State-9.543.5L 17 - 20UN
Tue 11/14 Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan-4.555.5W 24 - 0UY
Sat 11/25 Northern Illinois at Kent State-20.544.5W 37 - 27ON
Sat 12/23 Northern Illinois vs Arkansas State+2.554.0W 21 - 19UY

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
Akron's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2 Akron at Temple+9.555.0L 21 - 24UY
Sat 9/9 Akron vs Morgan State-25.046.0W 24 - 21UN
Sat 9/16 Akron at Kentucky+25.048.5L 3 - 35UN
Sat 9/23 Akron at Indiana+16.545.5L 27 - 29OY
Sat 9/30 Akron vs Buffalo-3.053.0L 10 - 13UN
Sat 10/7 Akron vs Northern Illinois+4.042.5L 14 - 55ON
Sat 10/14 Akron at Central Michigan+10.544.0L 10 - 17UY
Sat 10/21 Akron at Bowling Green+7.037.0L 14 - 41ON
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/1 Akron vs Kent State-4.039.0W 31 - 27ON
Wed 11/8 Akron at Miami (OH)+17.537.5L 0 - 19UN
Tue 11/14 Akron at Eastern Michigan+3.539.5L 27 - 30OY
Fri 11/24 Akron vs Ohio+13.541.5L 14 - 25UY

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 Akron's Schedule

Important Stats (2023)
 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
NIU#54 (.21)42% (62)24.945% (45)3.21 (50)18040% (85)1903.4 (102)#36 (.14)41% (52)2144% (84)37% (21)3.4 (32)39.81.41.2
AKR#129 (.04)36% (124)16.341% (86)2.74 (123)8134% (121)1982.59 (131)#29 (.12)39% (37)2841% (53)38% (22)3.78 (68)60.21.80.9
 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
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
AKR#122 (.07)39% (114)44% (64)2.82 (103)10136% (118)2333.26 (120)#91 (.21)45% (101)41% (55)49% (126)4.19 (108)48.71.70.8



Overall Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Offense1324.932.342.4%3.41.419370180190554%46%45%40%15%.21
AKR Defense122828.239.2%3.780.9 - - - - - 52%47%41%38%14%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Defense132128.740.7%3.41.2 - - - - - 56%43%44%37%13%.14
AKR Offense1216.318.636.4%2.591.817279811982.840%58%41%34%18%.04

Additional Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northern Illinois1331:3018.742%50%4.539.81.41.24.11.7127.5
Akron1229:3316.733%35%6.960.21.80.95.21.6127.6
Run Game Stats (2023)
 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
NIU Offense1354% (39)45% (45)35.8179.8523 (46).21 (36)3.21 (50)77% (36)9% (47)1.08 (29)
AKR Defense1252% (100)41% (53) - - - - .11 (49)2.91 (38)72% (62)10% (77)1.09 (110)
 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
NIU Defense1356% (122)44% (84) - - - - .14 (69)3.29 (108)83% (118)8% (114)0.94 (37)
AKR Offense1240% (124)41% (86)28.8812.812 (116).09 (97)2.74 (123)81% (16)10% (72)0.9 (110)

Pass Game Stats (2023)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Offense1346% (95)40% (85)16.228.2189.86.711.715 (96)9 (40).26 (75)1.5 (96)32% (64)26% (106).29 (83)6% (63)2.3 (16)
AKR Defense1247% (34)38% (22) - - - - - - 6 (120).18 (19)1.7 (102)35% (23)30% (63).31 (67)5% (112)2.2 (115)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Defense1343% (12)37% (21) - - - - - - 10 (67).17 (18)1.4 (14)32% (66)24% (9).29 (55)5% (115)2.2 (109)
AKR Offense1258% (14)34% (121)21.535.4197.65.69.210 (120)15 (116).07 (127)1.4 (128)35% (118)24% (120).13 (122)8% (121)2.1 (54)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -1.76 #74
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 17.02 #61
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 8.15 #48
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Northern Illinois's 2023 Expected Record: 8.20 - 4.80
Northern Illinois's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.7 #85
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #109
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.5 #47

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -1.76   Akron: -15.25

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -6.7   Akron: -21.6




Akron's Power Ratings
Akron's Power Rating: -15.25 #130
Akron's Offense Rating: 7.28 #129
Akron's Defense Rating: 9.21 #63
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Akron's 2023 Expected Record: 4.20 - 7.80
Akron's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -21.6 #128
Akron's Offense SP+ Rating: 10.5 #132
Akron's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.0 #90

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96


Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 32.3
Defense: 21 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.7

Northern Illinois's 2023 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 6 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 29
Akron 18


Total Points: 46

Akron Scoring
Offense: 16.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 18.6
Defense: 28 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.2

Akron's 2023 Record
Record: 2 - 10
Record vs Spread: 5 - 6 - 1
Record at home: 2 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 3 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/13Northern Illinois29Akron16Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -14Akron43.5Over
202310/07Akron14Northern Illinois55Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -4Northern Illinois42.5Over
202211/26Northern Illinois12Akron44AkronNorthern Illinois -9.5Akron51.5Over
201910/26Northern Illinois49Akron0Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -22Northern Illinois42.5Over
201811/01Akron26Northern Illinois36Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -6Northern Illinois37.0Over
201310/12Northern Illinois27Akron20Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -21.5Akron0
201210/20Akron7Northern Illinois37Northern Illinois
201010/02Akron14Northern Illinois50Northern Illinois
200910/31Northern Illinois27Akron10Northern Illinois
200509/24Akron48Northern Illinois42Akron
200512/01Northern Illinois30Akron31Akron
200410/02Northern Illinois49Akron19Northern Illinois
200010/13Akron35Northern Illinois52Northern Illinois
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Akron335 Overs
Northern Illinois1030 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 71 - 51 - 30 - 2
Road Teams7 - 65 - 12 - 03 - 1

(#74) Northern Illinois Info
Power Rating: -1.76 #74
Offense Rating: 17.02 #61
Defense Rating: 8.15 #48
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.7 #85
Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #109
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.5 #47
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Expected Record: 8.20 - 4.80


Northern Illinois has lost 4 straight
Northern Illinois has lost 2 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 3 - 3 (3 - 3 - 0 vs Spread )

Northern Illinois Highlights
Northern Illinois defense does not give up big plays (#44)
Northern Illinois has a good pass defense (#52)
Northern Illinois commits very few Penalties (#30)

Northern Illinois Deficiencies
Northern Illinois offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#110)
Northern Illinois Does Not Stuff Runs (#12)
Northern Illinois has a bad defensive line (#17)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatAKRNIU
OverallOver#113#67
OffenseOff#116#68
DefenseDef#70#53
Special TeamsST#88#96
PassingPass#112#73
RushingRush#70#59
Run BlockRBLK#94#44
Pass BlockPBLK#103#29
Route RunningWR Rt#110#86
TacklingTkl#33#52
Run DefenseR Def#68#58
Pass Rush DefPRush#84#72
Coverage DefCov#66#60

Rematch from Week 6
Northern Illinois 4.0 (42.5)
Northern Illinois won at Akron this year (55-14)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Akron last year (29-16)
Northern Illinois beat Akron in 2023 (55-14)
Akron beat Northern Illinois in 2022 (44-12)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NIU | AKR
Depth Chart: NIU | AKR
Rosters: NIU | AKR
(#130) Akron Info
Power Rating: -15.25 #130
Offense Rating: 7.28 #129
Defense Rating: 9.21 #63
Overall SP+ Rating: -21.6 #128
Offense SP+ Rating: 10.5 #132
Defense SP+ Rating: 30.0 #90
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Expected Record: 4.20 - 7.80


Akron has lost 3 straight
Akron has lost 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 3 (1 - 3 - 1 vs Spread)

Akron Highlights
Akron has a good pass defense (#87)

Akron Deficiencies
Akron has a really bad Offense
Akron has a really bad Offense at Home
Akron Can Not Run the Ball (#105)
Akron Commits a Lot of Penalties (#16)
Akron throws a Lot of Interceptions (#23)
Akron offense is really bad (#135)
Akron offense is not Explosive (#119)
Akron offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#136)
Akron pass game is really bad (#136)
Akron offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Akron does not Sack the QB (#122)
Akron gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#54)


  
Northern Illinois's OC Eric Eidsness
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocky Lombardi18932758%22741177.0
Ethan Hampton193358%147224.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antario Brown2121294106.180
Gavin Williams (Tr)9548835.153
Trayvon Rudolph2218218.336
Rocky Lombardi7213171.833
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trayvon Rudolph51531210.472
Grayson Barnes23422518.358
Kacper Rutkiewicz20313215.764
Davis Patterson16197012.328

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster
Northern Illinois's DC Nick Benedetto
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Raishein Thomas747351
Jaden Dolphin631003
Tyler Jackson562020
DaRon Gilbert523121
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
James Ester446432
Roy Williams246411
George Gumbs348420
Devonte O'Malley335300
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jashon Prophete331008
Javaughn Byrd322005
Jacob Finley331003

Akron's OC Billy Fessler
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jeff Undercuffler13822462%1378496.2
DJ Irons8813366%722335.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Lorenzo Lingard (Tr)14364144.571
DJ Irons6121523.547
Tahj Bullock (Tr)6216542.727
Drake Anderson4013213.315
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jasaiah Gathings55575110.539
Daniel George52529110.250
Lorenzo Lingard (Tr)3735629.677
Alex Adams2218828.529

View Akron's Full Roster
Akron's DC Tim Tibesar
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Antavious Fish854130
Bryan McCoy815100
Darrian Lewis652113
C.J. Nunnally5812582
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
C.J. Nunnally5812582
Bennett Adler245310
Antonio Smith32220
Shammond Cooper (Tr)416210
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyson Durant301026
Kerry Martin Jr.442106
Judson Tallandier393015