Northern Illinois at Western Michigan - 2024 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo Northern Illinois Huskies at Western Michigan BroncosWestern Michigan logo
Wednesday, November 6th 2024 (7:00 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -2.5 (51.5) (-130)  Open: -1.5 | 52.5
Northern Illinois 42 - Western Michigan: 28  (Mid-American)

 
Huskies (8 - 5) (5 - 6 - 2)
Coach Thomas Hammock (24 - 33)
Avg Score : 25 - 19 (21 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 5 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
NIU coming off BYE
WMU coming off BYE
Our Line: Northern Illinois -4.5   (SP+ NIU -6.5)

Projected Score: NIU: 28 - WMU: 24 (52)
NIU Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
NIU Travel: 165 miles, 1 hrs behind
Broncos (6 - 7) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Lance Taylor (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 29 - 31 (40 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 7 (#72)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 5)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
 
Northern Illinois's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Northern Illinois vs Western Illinois-36.555.5W 54 - 15OY
Sat 9/7 Northern Illinois at Notre Dame+28.546.5W 16 - 14UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21 Northern Illinois vs Buffalo-13.042.5L 20 - 23ON
Sat 9/28 Northern Illinois at NC State+7.046.0L 17 - 24UY
Sat 10/5 Northern Illinois vs Massachusetts-14.041.0W 34 - 20ON
Sat 10/12 Northern Illinois at Bowling Green+3.046.5W 17 - 7UY
Sat 10/19 Northern Illinois vs Toledo-3.042.5L 6 - 13UN
Sat 10/26 Northern Illinois at Ball State-13.547.5L 23 - 25ON
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/6 Northern Illinois at Western Michigan-2.551.5W 42 - 28OY
Wed 11/13 Northern Illinois vs Akron-14.043.5W 29 - 16ON
Tue 11/19 Northern Illinois at Miami (OH)+1.543.0L 9 - 20UN
Sat 11/30 Northern Illinois vs Central Michigan-16.541.5W 24 - 16UN
Mon 12/23 Northern Illinois vs Fresno State-2.041.0W 28 - 20OY

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 4
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 2

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule
Western Michigan's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/30 Western Michigan at Wisconsin+24.057.0L 14 - 28UY
Sat 9/7 Western Michigan at Ohio State+37.554.5L 0 - 56ON
Sat 9/14 Western Michigan vs Bethune-Cookman-33.554.5W 59 - 31ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/28 Western Michigan at Marshall+3.553.5L 20 - 27UN
Sat 10/5 Western Michigan at Ball State-10.057.5W 45 - 42ON
Sat 10/12 Western Michigan vs Akron-9.548.5W 34 - 24OY
Sat 10/19 Western Michigan at Buffalo-1.049.5W 48 - 41OY
Sat 10/26 Western Michigan vs Kent State-19.061.0W 52 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/6 Western Michigan vs Northern Illinois+2.551.5L 28 - 42ON
Tue 11/12 Western Michigan at Bowling Green+9.557.5L 13 - 31UN
Tue 11/19 Western Michigan at Central Michigan-6.056.0L 14 - 16UN
Sat 11/30 Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-6.556.5W 26 - 18UY
Sat 12/14 Western Michigan vs South Alabama+6.053.5L 23 - 30UN

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 5
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 5
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 2, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Michigan's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 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)24.544% (72)3.25 (33)20440% (86)1793.39 (113)#11 (.06)38% (19)18.541% (52)35% (9)3.08 (12)42.81.21.1
WMU#43 (.24)45% (33)28.945% (59)3.05 (62)18446% (27)1874.11 (49)#122 (.29)49% (128)31.348% (115)51% (132)4.38 (119)39.211.6
 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
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



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Offense1324.520.742.1%3.391.2213832041794.859%41%44%40%15%.16
WMU Defense1331.327.249.1%4.381.6 - - - - - 56%44%48%51%18%.29
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Defense1318.519.737.7%3.081.1 - - - - - 49%51%41%35%17%.06
WMU Offense1328.939.845.2%4.11119371184187555%45%45%46%15%.24

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northern Illinois1333:2021.542%45%4.242.81.21.15.42.5130.4
Western Michigan1329:5819.535%59%4.139.211.64.21.5131.3
Run Game Stats (2024)
 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 Offense1359% (11)44% (72)42.8204.24.822 (55).14 (66)3.25 (33)72% (83)9% (60)1 (54)
WMU Defense1356% (123)48% (115) - - - - .19 (105)3.18 (96)76% (84)10% (66)1.01 (81)
 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 Defense1349% (44)41% (52) - - - - .08 (45)3.06 (79)74% (73)11% (53)0.9 (33)
WMU Offense1355% (35)45% (59)36.8184.2528 (25).18 (43)3.05 (62)75% (53)10% (64)1.07 (33)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Offense1341% (124)40% (86)16.528.5179.16.310.816 (87)8 (40).23 (84)1.6 (58)31% (68)30% (89).17 (117)5% (39)1.9 (116)
WMU Defense1344% (12)51% (132) - - - - - - 8 (93).44 (127)1.5 (31)27% (125)33% (103).33 (81)8% (19)1.9 (39)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Defense1351% (93)35% (9) - - - - - - 9 (76).04 (4)1.5 (55)36% (15)25% (10).18 (16)7% (37)2 (67)
WMU Offense1345% (100)46% (27)16.324.91877.511.518 (68)9 (48).32 (40)1.5 (98)28% (16)31% (71).27 (91)6% (59)1.9 (108)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -2.77 #73
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.86 #97
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 2.99 #11
2024 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Northern Illinois's 2024 Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0
Northern Illinois's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.5 #84
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #115
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #32

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -2.77   Western Michigan: -7.785

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -3.5   Western Michigan: -10.2




Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -7.785 #103
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 22.99 #41
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 15.82 #113
2024 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #102
Western Michigan's 2024 Expected Record: 6.0 - 7.0
Western Michigan's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -10.2 #105
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.7 #86
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.0 #120

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


Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 24.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 20.7
Defense: 18.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 19.7

Northern Illinois's 2024 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 6 - 2
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 1
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 28
Western Michigan 24


Total Points: 52

Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 28.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 39.8
Defense: 31.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.2

Western Michigan's 2024 Record
Record: 6 - 7
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Record at home: 4 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/06Western Michigan28Northern Illinois42Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -2.5Northern Illinois51.5Over
202311/14Northern Illinois24Western Michigan0Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -4.5Northern Illinois55.5Under
202211/09Western Michigan21Northern Illinois24Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -1Northern Illinois49.0Under
202111/23Northern Illinois21Western Michigan42Western MichiganWestern Michigan -6.5Western Michigan60.0Over
202011/28Western Michigan30Northern Illinois27Western MichiganWestern Michigan -18.5Northern Illinois64.5Under
201911/26Northern Illinois17Western Michigan14Northern IllinoisWestern Michigan -10Northern Illinois51.0Under
201811/20Western Michigan28Northern Illinois21Western MichiganNorthern Illinois -6.5Western Michigan48.5Over
201711/15Northern Illinois35Western Michigan31Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -9Western Michigan49.5Over
201610/08Western Michigan45Northern Illinois30Western MichiganWestern Michigan -19Northern Illinois68.5Over
201511/18Northern Illinois27Western Michigan19Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -3.5Northern Illinois59.5Under
201411/28Western Michigan21Northern Illinois31Northern IllinoisWestern Michigan -7Northern Illinois0
201311/26Northern Illinois33Western Michigan14Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -33.5Western Michigan0
201210/27Western Michigan34Northern Illinois48Northern Illinois
201110/15Northern Illinois51Western Michigan22Northern Illinois
201010/30Western Michigan21Northern Illinois28Northern Illinois
200910/03Northern Illinois38Western Michigan3Northern Illinois
200809/06Western Michigan29Northern Illinois26Western Michigan
200710/13Northern Illinois13Western Michigan17Western Michigan
200610/14Western Michigan16Northern Illinois14Western Michigan
200511/23Northern Illinois42Western Michigan7Northern Illinois
200410/23Western Michigan38Northern Illinois59Northern Illinois
200310/18Northern Illinois37Western Michigan10Northern Illinois
200210/26Western Michigan20Northern Illinois24Northern Illinois
200110/20Northern Illinois20Western Michigan12Northern Illinois
200010/20Western Michigan52Northern Illinois22Western Michigan
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Western Michigan845 Overs
Northern Illinois1785 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams16 - 94 - 82 - 52 - 3
Road Teams9 - 168 - 43 - 25 - 2

(#73) Northern Illinois Info
Power Rating: -2.77 #73
Offense Rating: 16.86 #97
Defense Rating: 2.99 #11
Overall SP+ Rating: -3.5 #84
Offense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #115
Defense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #32
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0

Team Profile
Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 41%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.39 PPO
Bad Run Success 44%
Bad Pass Success 40%
Avg OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 3.08 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 41%
Great Pass Def Success 35%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Northern Illinois has lost 2 straight
Northern Illinois has lost 1 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 4 - 3 (3 - 2 - 1 vs Spread )

Northern Illinois Notes
(11/8) Off healthy & improved. Rgame/QB Hampton good
(11/7) Owned WMU. Big plays, caused TO's, KR TD
(10/20) Near 400 yds and only 6 pts (Tol)? 4-19 3rd bad
(10/18) Def ranks top 25 in 13 diff stats, #4 in ypg (253)
(10/18) Great 3rd down Def 20% (#1) & Off 48% (#22)
(10/18) New QB Holst v mobile, cannot pass from pocket
(10/14) QB Hampton left BG game (concussion)
(10/13) DL mauled BGU. 5 sacks, hurt QB. Great Def
(10/4) Best Def in MAC? Off #'s awful so far, check back
(9/28) Def held NC St to 171 yds but 4 TOs killed them

Northern Illinois Highlights
Northern Illinois has Really Good Running Game (#106)
Northern Illinois does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#106)

Northern Illinois Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Northern Illinois has a really good defense (#46)
Northern Illinois defense is really good in red zone (#16)
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)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatWMUNIU
OverallOver#31#37
OffenseOff#7#65
DefenseDef#83#18
Special TeamsST#58#34
PassingPass#60#87
RushingRush#27#65
Run BlockRBLK#3#18
Pass BlockPBLK#19#53
Route RunningWR Rt#45#102
TacklingTkl#71#3
Run DefenseR Def#84#17
Pass Rush DefPRush#78#64
Coverage DefCov#72#22

Rematch from Week 11
Northern Illinois 2.5 (51.5)
Northern Illinois won at Western Michigan this year (42-28)

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)

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

Team Information
Injuries: NIU | WMU
Depth Chart: NIU | WMU
Rosters: NIU | WMU
(#103) Western Michigan Info
Power Rating: -7.785 #103
Offense Rating: 22.99 #41
Defense Rating: 15.82 #113
Overall SP+ Rating: -10.2 #105
Offense SP+ Rating: 24.7 #86
Defense SP+ Rating: 36.0 #120
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #102
Expected Record: 6.0 - 7.0

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 45%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.11 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Good Pass Success 46%
Good OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 49%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.38 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 48%
Awful Pass Def Success 51%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Western Michigan has won 4 straight
Western Michigan has won 3 straight at Home
Record at home: 4 - 1 (3 - 2 - 0 vs Spread)

Western Michigan Notes
(11/25) 3 str L's, zero Rgame, QB sucked, Vs EMU 4 bowl
(11/13) QBs/Rgame awful vs BG, Run Def torched in L
(11/7) TO's, stupidity cost vs N Ill. QB Wolff a fraud
(10/22) Def stop rate 47% (#125) into week 9
(10/20) Off torched Buffalo, Def awful vs both Pass & Run
(10/18) Better than record, sched rough, close losses
(10/13) Rgame good, Pass D torched by Akron. Def 4 TOs
(10/4) Run a lot w/ good success. Def awful so far
(10/4) Let's see how they play now sched lightens up
(8/15) DBs supposed to be near the best in the MAC

Western Michigan Highlights
Western Michigan has Really Good Running Game (#108)
Western Michigan Secondary is very good (#108)
Western Michigan has a great TO Margin (#11)
Western Michigan commits very few Penalties (#91)

Western Michigan Deficiencies
Western Michigan Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Western Michigan has a bad defense (#120)
Western Michigan has a bad red zone defense (#119)


  
Northern Illinois's OC Wesley Beschorner
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ethan Hampton14324558%16081266.6
Josh Holst6511159%593225.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Williams13974945.471
Antario Brown11556744.949
Telly Johnson Jr.10348044.738
Josh Holst4923014.722
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trayvon Rudolph37403110.948
Cam Thompson27388314.454
Grayson Barnes31338410.960
Andrew McElroy (Tr)26264010.242

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster
Northern Illinois's DC Nick Benedetto
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Fuhrman (Tr)614011
Jaden Dolphin613002
Santana Banner542014
Nate Valcarcel532248
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Devonte O'Malley3812941
Roy Williams387711
Nevaeh Sanders85520
Skyler Gill-Howard487540
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nate Valcarcel532248
Jacob Finley363108
Santana Banner542014

Western Michigan's OC Walt Bell
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hayden Wolff19128567%22141777.8
Broc Lowry (Tr)4850%21002.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaden Nixon132874126.692
Jalen Buckley12065785.561
Zahir Abdus-Salaam10456735.570
Broc Lowry (Tr)2212335.640
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kenneth Womack34456113.441
Blake Bosma37403610.955
Anthony Sambucci31376212.154
Zahir Abdus-Salaam2822718.131

View Western Michigan's Full Roster
Western Michigan's DC Scott Power
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donald Willis1097144
Tate Hallock845005
Jacob Wahlberg782111
Bilhal Kone701028
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Corey Walker387635
Mason Nelson319311
Isaiah Green283240
Donald Willis1097144
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bilhal Kone701028
Nyquan Washington313005
Corey Walker387635