Northern Illinois at Kent State - 2023 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden FlashesKent State logo
Saturday, November 25th 2023 (12:00 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -20.5 (44.5) (0)  Open: 0.0
Northern Illinois 37 - Kent State: 27  (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)
KENT is playing their 4th straight game
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -17   (SP+ NIU -19.5)

Projected Score: NIU: 32 - KENT: 15 (48)
NIU Win prob: 94% | Cover: 54%
NIU Travel: 390 miles, 1 hrs behind
Golden Flashes (1 - 11) (3 - 8 - 1)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 2)
Avg Score : 15 - 35 (19 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2.1 - 9.9 (#133)
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
Kent State's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/31 Kent State at UCF+35.054.0L 6 - 56ON
Sat 9/9 Kent State at Arkansas+38.057.5L 6 - 28UY
Sat 9/16 Kent State vs Central Connecticut-21.546.5W 38 - 10OY
Sat 9/23 Kent State at Fresno State+27.547.5L 10 - 53ON
Sat 9/30 Kent State vs Miami (OH)+14.051.5L 3 - 23UN
Sat 10/7 Kent State at Ohio+24.545.5L 17 - 42ON
Sat 10/14 Kent State at Eastern Michigan+7.040.0L 14 - 28ON
Sat 10/21 Kent State vs Buffalo+6.544.0L 6 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/1 Kent State at Akron+4.039.0L 27 - 31OY
Wed 11/8 Kent State vs Bowling Green+10.541.5L 19 - 49ON
Sat 11/18 Kent State at Ball State+10.541.5L 3 - 34UN
Sat 11/25 Kent State vs Northern Illinois+20.544.5L 27 - 37OY

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 Kent State'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
KENT#125 (.05)35% (130)14.732% (133)2.84 (113)10640% (89)1653.27 (110)#125 (.32)45% (111)34.647% (108)44% (97)4.88 (132)46.210.8
 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
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)33% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)50% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9



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
KENT Defense1234.628.645%4.880.8 - - - - - 56%43%47%44%13%.32
 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
KENT Offense1214.718.635.2%3.271152701061652.953%47%32%40%19%.05

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
Kent State1228:491530%46%5.446.210.84.10.9028.4
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)
KENT Defense1256% (124)47% (108) - - - - .24 (117)3.23 (98)79% (107)7% (131)1.08 (106)
 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)
KENT Offense1253% (44)32% (133)36.8105.92.98 (130)-.03 (132)2.84 (113)67% (109)12% (117)0.91 (105)

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)
KENT Defense1243% (14)44% (97) - - - - - - 6 (120).44 (127)1.8 (117)32% (73)31% (76).33 (79)6% (91)2 (55)
 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)
KENT Offense1247% (90)40% (89)13.325.5164.56.512.311 (117)6 (14).16 (110)1.6 (72)36% (122)25% (112).18 (108)7% (99)2 (76)

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   Kent State: -21.295

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -6.7   Kent State: -26.4




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -21.295 #133
Kent State's Offense Rating: 9.49 #124
Kent State's Defense Rating: 19.32 #132
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Kent State's 2023 Expected Record: 2.10 - 9.90
Kent State's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -26.4 #133
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 8.1 #133
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #115

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 32
Kent State 15


Total Points: 48

Kent State Scoring
Offense: 14.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 18.6
Defense: 34.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.6

Kent State's 2023 Record
Record: 1 - 11
Record vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 1
Record at home: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 8 - 1
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202311/25Kent State27Northern Illinois37Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -20.5Kent State44.5Over
202111/03Kent State52Northern Illinois47Kent StateKent State -3.5Kent State72.0Over
202112/04Northern Illinois41Kent State23Northern IllinoisKent State -3.5Northern Illinois75.5Under
201710/07Northern Illinois24Kent State3Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -23.5Kent State44.5Under
201611/25Kent State21Northern Illinois31Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -5Northern Illinois45.5Over
201410/04Northern Illinois17Kent State14Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -22Kent State0
201310/05Kent State24Northern Illinois38Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -9.5Northern Illinois0
201211/30Kent State37Northern Illinois44Northern Illinois
201110/08Northern Illinois40Kent State10Northern Illinois
200811/18Kent State14Northern Illinois42Northern Illinois
200711/10Northern Illinois27Kent State20Northern Illinois
200510/22Kent State3Northern Illinois34Northern Illinois
200209/28Northern Illinois13Kent State6Northern Illinois
200110/13Kent State44Northern Illinois34Kent State
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State243 Overs
Northern Illinois1232 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 63 - 41 - 22 - 2
Road Teams6 - 84 - 32 - 22 - 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 won 1 straight
Northern Illinois has lost 1 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
CategoryCatKENTNIU
OverallOver#110#67
OffenseOff#105#68
DefenseDef#102#53
Special TeamsST#76#96
PassingPass#70#73
RushingRush#97#59
Run BlockRBLK#101#44
Pass BlockPBLK#109#29
Route RunningWR Rt#55#86
TacklingTkl#100#52
Run DefenseR Def#100#58
Pass Rush DefPRush#98#72
Coverage DefCov#105#60

Rematch from Week 13
Northern Illinois 20.5 (44.5)
Northern Illinois won at Kent State this year (37-27)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Kent State in 2023 (37-27)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NIU | KENT
Depth Chart: NIU | KENT
Rosters: NIU | KENT
(#133) Kent State Info
Power Rating: -21.295 #133
Offense Rating: 9.49 #124
Defense Rating: 19.32 #132
Overall SP+ Rating: -26.4 #133
Offense SP+ Rating: 8.1 #133
Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #115
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Expected Record: 2.10 - 9.90


Kent State has lost 8 straight
Kent State has lost 3 straight at Home
Record at home: 1 - 4 (2 - 3 - 0 vs Spread)

Kent State Highlights
Kent State has a great TO Margin (#54)

Kent State Deficiencies
Kent State has a really bad Offense
Kent State has a really bad Offense at Home
Kent State Can Not Run the Ball (#122)
Kent State offense is really bad (#134)
Kent State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#126)
Kent State run game is really bad (#135)
Kent State offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Kent State Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Kent State does not Sack the QB (#112)
Kent State has a bad defense (#66)
Kent State gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#87)
Kent State Does Not Stuff Runs (#39)
Kent State has a bad red zone defense (#89)


  
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

Kent State's OC Matt Johnson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Michael Alaimo7914455%932246.5
Tommy Ulatowski6012150%737726.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Garcia13854423.942
Jaylen Thomas13346023.534
Xavier Williams4213713.318
Tommy Ulatowski478911.939
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chrishon Mccray41610414.942
Luke Floriea39414410.643
Trell Harris26400115.443
Jameel Gardner Jr.24298112.450

View Kent State's Full Roster
Kent State's DC David Duggan
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryce Sheppert751027
Nick Giacolone505001
Stephen Daley476170
D.J. Miller461003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Harris316201
Marcus Winfield113210
Macyo Williams183220
Stephen Daley476170
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Capone Blue3000010
Bryce Sheppert751027
Alex Branch322103