Illinois State at Northern Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Illinois State Redbirds at Northern Illinois Huskies

Northern Illinois logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium - DeKalb, IL

 
Redbirds (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 3 - 35 (3 - 35 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: -13.5  (SP+ NIU -17)
ILST Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rob Harley (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (18 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
Illinois State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12Illinois State at Northern Illinois-13.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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 Illinois State's Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northern Illinois at Iowa+35————
Sat 9/12Northern Illinois vs Illinois State-7.5————
Sat 9/19Northern Illinois at Arizona+27.5————
Sat 9/26Northern Illinois at Georgia State-0————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10Northern Illinois vs Air Force+6————
Sat 10/17Northern Illinois at Wyoming+9.5————
Sat 10/24Northern Illinois vs Hawai'i+12————
Sat 10/31Northern Illinois at UNLV+20.5————
Sat 11/7Northern Illinois at San José State+3————
Sat 11/14Northern Illinois vs Nevada-3————
Sat 11/21Northern Illinois at North Dakota State+17.5————
Sat 11/28Northern Illinois vs UTEP-1.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
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
Important Stats (2025)
 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
ILST0%30%000%000%350%0%0000
NIU#126 (.04)34% (132)17.138% (116)2.84 (84)18628% (136)993.04 (121)#86 (.19)44% (100)24.346% (111)41% (65)3.45 (49)380.91.1
 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
ILST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILST Offense1330%00000000%0%0%0%0%
NIU Defense1224.320.844.1%3.451.1 - - - - - 58%40%46%41%11%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILST Defense135350%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
NIU Offense1217.117.834.5%3.040.915284186994.565%34%38%28%13%.04

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois State10:000NAN%0%0000000100
Northern Illinois1229:131532%59%4.3380.91.13.31.2127.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
ILST Offense10%0%000000%0%0
NIU Defense1258% (132)46% (111) - - - - .17 (107)3.18 (117)72% (78)7% (134)0.95 (62)
 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
ILST Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
NIU Offense1265% (6)38% (116)41.4185.64.516 (122).11 (73)2.84 (84)69% (85)10% (87)1.11 (15)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILST Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
NIU Defense1240% (5)41% (65) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (45)1.5 (55)28% (120)36% (130).5 (134)5% (114)2.1 (108)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILST Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
NIU Offense1234% (131)28% (136)10.820.398.84.99.28 (128)6 (60) (134)1.6 (32)34% (116)23% (132).13 (127)3% (4)2.1 (46)

Illinois State's Power Ratings
Illinois State's Power Rating: NR
Illinois State's Offense Rating: NR
Illinois State's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Illinois State's 2026 Expected Record: -
Illinois State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Illinois State's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Illinois State's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois State:    Northern Illinois: -13.26

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois State:    Northern Illinois: -16.7




Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -13.26  #130
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 2.73  #128
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 22.55  #121
2026 Talent Rating: 564.00  #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #103
Northern Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Northern Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.7  #128
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.0  #135
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.1  #74

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Illinois State Scoring
Offense: 3 PPG
Offense on Road: 3
Defense: 35 PPG
Defense on Road: 35

Illinois State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 26
Illinois State 13

Projected Total Points: 39
Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.8

Northern Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201908/31Northern Illinois24Illinois State10Northern Illinois -6.5Northern Illinois42.5Under
200009/08Northern Illinois52Illinois State0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northern Illinois210 Overs
Illinois State001 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 20 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#) ILST at (#130) NIU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILSTNIU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #130
SP+SP+NR #128
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #102
Blue ChipsBC%NR #103
Northern Illinois Notes
(3/3) Vibes: HC left, only 2 portals? Moved to MWC?
(3/3) QB Holst is back, but there's nothing good here
(3/3) RBs Wright & Johnson productive duo, have depth
(3/3) WR unit may be worst in CFB on paper.
(3/3) OL has 1.5 starters back, have bodies, very young
(3/3) F7 lacks experience, size, production
(3/3) DBs have exp and some depth.
(3/3) Program is flailing and lost. Rather depressing
(2/18) DC Rob Harley Int HC, Hammock left for NFL.
Northern Illinois Injury Report
Illinois State on Offense
CategoryCat
ILST OffNIU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #100
ExplosiveExpNR #40
PPAPPANR #86
PowerPwrNR #121
SP+SP+NR #74
Pts POPPONR #49
HavocHavNR #132
Illinois State Run Game
CategoryCat
ILST OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #111
Run ExplRExpNR #62
PPAExpNR #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #117
Stuff RateStuffNR #119
TackleTak - NR
Illinois State Pass Game
CategoryCat
ILST OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #65
Pass ExplPExlNR #55
PPAExpNR #45
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #134
DB HavocDBNR #114
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffILST Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132NR
ExplosiveExp #57NR
PPAPPA #126NR
PowerPwr #128NR
SP+SP+ #135NR
Pts POPPO #121NR
HavocHav #29NR
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffILST Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116NR
Run ExplRExp #15NR
PPAExp #73NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84NR
Stuff RateStuff #60NR
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffILST Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136NR
Pass ExplPExl #32NR
PPAExp #134NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87NR
DB HavocDB #4NR
Program Comparison
NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

ILST 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
ILST's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Logan Brasfield0010.00
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Illinois State's Full Roster

ILST's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shadwell Nkuba II141003
Key Crowell (Tr)41001
Trevell Mullen10000
Logan Brasfield00000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shadwell Nkuba II141003
Key Crowell (Tr)41001
Trevell Mullen10000
Logan Brasfield00000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shadwell Nkuba II141003
Key Crowell (Tr)41001
Trevell Mullen10000

NIU's OC Quinn Sanders (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Holst7813060%689435.3
Brady Davidson408746%384334.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chavon Wright19687554.545
Telly Johnson Jr.12469045.680
Jalen Macon4521654.836
Lazaro Rogers3318915.776
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Rickey Taylor Jr.9134114.941
Telly Johnson Jr.169706.117
Elijah Porter167167.067
George Dimopoulos115805.319

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Rob Harley (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mark Hensley315110
Donte Harrison302005
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
James Finley150002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
Mark Hensley315110
Landon Tate30000
Malik Armstrong10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donte Harrison302005
Dev'ion Reynolds130003
James Finley150002