Northern Illinois at Ohio - 2025 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo Northern Illinois Huskies at Ohio BobcatsOhio logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Peden Stadium - Athens, OH  (Mid-American)

 
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (31 - 38)
Avg Score : 25 - 19 (21 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 5.3 (#63)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 10)
NIU 2nd straight Road Game
OHIO coming off BYE
NIU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Ohio -9   (SP+ OHIO -7)

Projected Score: NIU: 18 - OHIO: 27 (45)
OHIO Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
NIU Travel: 394 miles, 1 hrs behind
Bobcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Brian Smith (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 29 - 18 (34 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.7 - 4.3 (#37)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 10)
 
Northern Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northern Illinois vs Holy Cross-12.5
Sat 9/6 Northern Illinois at Maryland+10
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Northern Illinois at Mississippi State+14.5
Sat 9/27 Northern Illinois vs San Diego State-4
Sat 10/4 Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH)-3.5
Sat 10/11 Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan-1.5
Sat 10/18 Northern Illinois at Ohio+9
Sat 10/25 Northern Illinois vs Ball State-14.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Northern Illinois at Toledo+12
Wed 11/12 Northern Illinois at Massachusetts-9
Tue 11/18 Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan-9.5
Fri 11/28 Northern Illinois vs Kent State-18

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule
Ohio's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Ohio at Rutgers+10.547.5
Sat 9/6 Ohio vs West Virginia+1
Sat 9/13 Ohio at Ohio State+38
Sat 9/20 Ohio vs Gardner-Webb-19.5
Sat 9/27 Ohio vs Bowling Green-12
Sat 10/4 Ohio at Ball State-16
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Ohio vs Northern Illinois-9
Sat 10/25 Ohio at Eastern Michigan-8
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/4 Ohio vs Miami (OH)-10
Tue 11/11 Ohio at Western Michigan-11
Tue 11/18 Ohio vs Massachusetts-20.5
Fri 11/28 Ohio at Buffalo-1

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Ohio'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
OHIO#40 (.24)46% (30)29.347% (35)3.1 (52)21445% (35)1934.15 (47)#23 (.1)37% (10)18.134% (3)40% (57)3.79 (68)44.91.61.5
 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
NIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
OHIO0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



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
OHIO Defense1418.113.836.9%3.791.5 - - - - - 45%54%34%40%20%.1
 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
OHIO Offense1429.333.745.8%4.151.6224062141935.259%41%47%45%14%.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
Ohio1432:4321.948%60%5.544.91.61.56.32.5327.9
Run Game Stats (2025)
 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)
OHIO Defense1445% (15)34% (3) - - - - -.03 (6)2.49 (8)74% (69)13% (13)1 (72)
 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)
OHIO Offense1459% (13)47% (35)40.7213.55.235 (8).24 (18)3.1 (52)78% (31)9% (52)1.12 (13)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 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)
OHIO Defense1454% (121)40% (57) - - - - - - 11 (52).22 (60)1.5 (53)35% (22)24% (2).18 (19)7% (40)2.2 (107)
 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)
OHIO Offense1441% (119)45% (35)15.524.7192.57.812.415 (98)12 (85).23 (80)1.4 (128)29% (32)37% (13).45 (23)5% (43)1.8 (120)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -10.53 #94
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 6.27 #115
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 16.80 #81
2025 Talent Rating: 554.00 #93
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #97
Northern Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Northern Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.0 #106
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.3 #133
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 27.3 #61

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 526.31
Average Power Five Talent: 858.21
Average FBS Talent: 681.87

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -10.53   Ohio: -1.635

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -11.0   Ohio: -4.4




Ohio's Power Ratings
Ohio's Power Rating: -1.635 #77
Ohio's Offense Rating: 11.04 #87
Ohio's Defense Rating: 14.91 #66
2025 Talent Rating: 510.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #97
Ohio's 2025 Expected Record: 7.7 - 4.3
Ohio's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.4 #80
Ohio's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #83
Ohio's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.6 #79

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 526.31
Average Power Five Talent: 858.21
Average FBS Talent: 681.87


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

Northern Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Ohio 27
Northern Illinois 18


Projected Total Points: 45
Ohio Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.7
Defense: 18.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.8

Ohio's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202310/14Northern Illinois23Ohio13Northern IllinoisOhio -5.5Northern Illinois45.0Under
202210/22Ohio24Northern Illinois17OhioNorthern Illinois -2.5Ohio65.5Under
201910/12Ohio36Northern Illinois39Northern IllinoisOhio -4.5Northern Illinois51.0Over
201810/13Northern Illinois24Ohio21Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -5.5Ohio52.0Under
201511/24Northern Illinois21Ohio26OhioNorthern Illinois -13.5Ohio58.0Under
201411/18Ohio14Northern Illinois21Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois -2.5Northern Illinois0
201112/02Northern Illinois23Ohio20Northern Illinois
200911/21Ohio38Northern Illinois31Ohio
200609/09Northern Illinois23Ohio35Ohio
200310/04Northern Illinois30Ohio23Northern Illinois
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Ohio431 Overs
Northern Illinois634 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 42 - 40 - 32 - 1
Road Teams4 - 64 - 21 - 23 - 0

(#94) Northern Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -10.53 #94
Offense Rating: 6.27 #115
Defense Rating: 16.80 #81
Overall SP+ Rating: -11.0 #106
Offense SP+ Rating: 16.3 #133
Defense SP+ Rating: 27.3 #61
Talent Rating: 554.00 #93
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #97
Expected Record: 6.7 - 5.3

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 Notes
(5/5) Portal QB Proctor (Dart) exciting, joins in summer
(5/5) QB1 Holst won spring, started 3 games LY
(5/5) WR Bryant, Pardridge and Givens top 3 spring
(5/5) OL rebuild, 1/5 back. 2 more w/ exp. Lost 5 Srs
(4/27) Staff high on Fr QB Brady Davidson, best croot
(3/26) RB rebuild, Johnson/Poe have exp, some depth
(3/26) Def good LY, replacing all. Only 2 portals, CBs
(3/26) Hammock good, but lost most exp in CFB
Northern Illinois     Ratings Matchup     Ohio
Power #94
#77
Off #115
#87
Def #81
#66
Talent #93
#105
SP+ #106
#80
SP+ Off #133
#83
SP+ Def #61
#79

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Ohio in 2023 (23-13)
Ohio beat Northern Illinois in 2022 (24-17)

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

Team Information
Injuries: NIU | OHIO
Depth Chart: NIU | OHIO
Rosters: NIU | OHIO
(#77) Ohio Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -1.635 #77
Offense Rating: 11.04 #87
Defense Rating: 14.91 #66
Overall SP+ Rating: -4.4 #80
Offense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #83
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.6 #79
Talent Rating: 510.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #97
Expected Record: 7.7 - 4.3

Team Profile
Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 41%
Good Offense Success Rate of 46%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.15 PPO
Good Run Success 47%
Good Pass Success 45%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 37%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.79 PPO
Great Run Def Success 34%
Avg Pass Def Success 40%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Ohio Notes
(6/2) RB S Bangura (Minn) getting some hype
(5/5) QB Navarro back, JAG passer but strong runner
(5/5) RB rebuild, Brune starter in spring, track runner
(5/5) Def OK LY, returns good prod. 8 portal adds
(5/5) HC Smith was OC/PGC for past 3 years
(5/5) LY HC Albin left Ohio for Charlotte? Bad sign
(3/26) WR rebuild, have a lot of depth. TE exp'd
(3/26) OL 3/5 back, OK LY. Have depth


  
Northern Illinois's OC Wesley Beschorner
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jackson Proctor (Tr)12919068%15061337.9
Josh Holst6511159%593225.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Telly Johnson Jr.10348044.738
Jackson Proctor (Tr)5535246.475
Josh Holst4923014.722
Jaylen Poe3619035.322
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Dane Pardridge20238311.939
George Dimopoulos65709.514
Jake Appleget445011.320
La'Don Bryant238019.028

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster
Northern Illinois's DC Nick Benedetto
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Roy Williams387711
Jacob Finley363108
Quinton Urwiler321001
Jalonnie Williams274120
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Roy Williams387711
Jalonnie Williams274120
Jake Gassaway253120
Pierce Oppong193121
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jacob Finley363108
Ivan Davis101012
Roy Williams387711

Ohio's OC Scott Isphording
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Parker Navarro19529566%242313118.2
Nick Poulos224945%271215.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Parker Navarro1601047186.555
Nick Poulos2814915.322
Tim Carpenter (Tr)118607.827
Duncan Brune268413.28
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chase Hendricks40471111.856
Rodney Harris II23299013.052
Mason Williams19211211.121
Caleb Gossett1615809.934

View Ohio's Full Roster
Ohio's DC John Hauser
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dustin Johnson772004
DJ Walker537007
Tank Pearson502006
Ben McNaboe447473
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ben McNaboe447473
Kadin Schmitz324400
Kaci Seegars125120
Pius Odjugo (Tr)164120
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DJ Walker537007
Tank Pearson502006
Dustin Johnson772004