Northern Illinois at Georgia State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo

Northern Illinois Huskies at Georgia State Panthers

Georgia State logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Georgia State Stadium - Atlanta, GA

 
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rob Harley (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (16 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
NIU 2nd straight Road Game
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -0  (SP+ NIU -8)
Projected Score: NIU: 25 - GAST: 25 (49)
NIU Win prob: 49% | Cover: 49%
NIU Travel: 615 miles, 1 hrs behind
Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dell McGee (4 - 20)
Avg Score : 20 - 38 (22 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
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
Georgia State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Georgia State at UCF+25————
Sat 9/26Georgia State vs Northern Illinois+0————
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 Georgia State'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
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
GAST#86 (.14)41% (90)19.843% (73)2.89 (76)12440% (88)2543.39 (101)#126 (.27)46% (122)37.845% (103)47% (122)4.45 (130)67.91.40.5
 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
GAST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Offense1217.116.334.5%3.040.915284186994.565%34%38%28%13%.04
GAST Defense1237.830.345.5%4.450.5 - - - - - 56%42%45%47%13%.27
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Defense1224.327.844.1%3.451.1 - - - - - 58%40%46%41%11%.19
GAST Offense1219.821.541%3.391.4203781242544.143%56%43%40%16%.14

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
Northern Illinois1229:131532%59%4.3380.91.13.31.2127.3
Georgia State1230:1019.639%44%8.667.91.40.54.81.5025.8
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
NIU Offense1265% (6)38% (116)41.4185.64.516 (122).11 (73)2.84 (84)69% (85)10% (87)1.11 (15)
GAST Defense1256% (128)45% (103) - - - - .18 (112)3.17 (114)77% (112)8% (120)0.97 (76)
 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 Defense1258% (132)46% (111) - - - - .17 (107)3.18 (117)72% (78)7% (134)0.95 (62)
GAST Offense1243% (120)43% (73)30.5123.84.19 (122).06 (95)2.89 (76)63% (119)9% (67)0.87 (112)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
GAST Defense1242% (8)47% (122) - - - - - - 3 (123).43 (130)1.6 (109)28% (124)37% (134).48 (131)5% (102)2 (71)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Defense1240% (5)41% (65) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (45)1.5 (55)28% (120)36% (130).5 (134)5% (114)2.1 (108)
GAST Offense1256% (16)40% (88)2439.6254.46.410.622 (42)11 (60).24 (72)1.6 (58)33% (106)32% (51).32 (61)7% (102)2 (75)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -14.82  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -14.82   Georgia State: -15.98

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7   Georgia State: -24.5




Georgia State's Power Ratings
Georgia State's Power Rating: -15.98  #121
Georgia State's Offense Rating: 6.01  #112
Georgia State's Defense Rating: 23.47  #125
2026 Talent Rating: 606.00  #94
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #88
Georgia State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Georgia State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -24.5  #133
Georgia State's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.6  #116
Georgia State's Defense SP+ Rating: 41.1  #134

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 538.15
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.3
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.8

Northern Illinois'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 25
Georgia State 25

Projected Total Points: 49
Georgia State Scoring
Offense: 19.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 21.5
Defense: 37.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Georgia State'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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Georgia State000 Overs
Northern Illinois000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#130) NIU at (#121) GAST
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNIUGAST
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #130 #121
SP+SP+ #128 #133
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #102 #94
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #88
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
Georgia State Notes
(2/25) QB Brown was PT starter LY, Pereira (FCS) add
(2/25) RB has 4 portals, Hart (FCS) by far most exp'd
(2/25) GSU going wrong way under HC McGee so far
(2/25) WR has a lot of bodies and even more questions
(2/25) OL has 3 starters, needs OTs. 7 portals will help
(2/25) Def F7 very little exp, DBs clear strength on paper
Georgia State Injury Report
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffGAST Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132 #122
ExplosiveExp #57 #79
PPAPPA #126 #126
PowerPwr #128 #125
SP+SP+ #135 #134
Pts POPPO #121 #130
HavocHav #29 #121
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffGAST Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #103
Run ExplRExp #15 #76
PPAExp #73 #112
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84 #114
Stuff RateStuff #60 #127
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffGAST Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136 #122
Pass ExplPExl #32 #109
PPAExp #134 #130
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #120
DB HavocDB #4 #102
Georgia State on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatGAST OffNIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #90 #100
ExplosiveExp #66 #40
PPAPPA #86 #86
PowerPwr #112 #121
SP+SP+ #116 #74
Pts POPPO #101 #49
HavocHav #80 #132
Georgia State Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
GAST OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #73 #111
Run ExplRExp #112 #62
PPAExp #95 #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #76 #117
Stuff RateStuff #96 #119
TackleTak - NR
Georgia State Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatGAST OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #88 #65
Pass ExplPExl #58 #55
PPAExp #72 #45
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #67 #134
DB HavocDB #102 #114
Program Comparison
GAST 5 Year Profile: Declining Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Georgia State Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
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

GAST's OC Hue Jackson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ayden Pereira (Tr)15931051%1846976.0
Cameran Brown11918465%12591316.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ayden Pereira (Tr)19385674.432
Savion Hart (Tr)175816104.769
Cameran Brown6128444.722
Keith Adams Jr. (Tr)147115.112
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Grant Hollier21288413.752
Savion Hart (Tr)15225215.073
DJ Riles16176111.032
DJ Murray Jr.139917.652

View Georgia State's Full Roster

GAST's DC Travis Pearson (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jabriel Rhodes-Nelson415230
Deuce Walker332001
Coby Owens261000
Kelan Butler241001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Richard Kramer132200
Jabriel Rhodes-Nelson415230
Alex Mullings81100
Tyson McCrary221102
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Derrick Maxey III170004
Tyson McCrary221102
Deuce Walker332001