Northern Illinois at UNLV - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Northern Illinois Huskies at UNLV Rebels

UNLV logo
Saturday, October 31st 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, NV  (Mountain West)

 
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)
UNLV coming off BYE
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: UNLV -20.5  (SP+ UNLV -21)
Projected Score: NIU: 17 - UNLV: 37 (54)
UNLV Win prob: 94% | Cover: 54%
NIU Travel: 1027 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Rebels (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dan Mullen (10 - 4)
Avg Score : 34 - 28 (37 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#26)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 9)
 
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
UNLV's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29UNLV vs Memphis+0.5————
Sat 9/5UNLV at Hawai'i-1————
Sat 9/12UNLV at North Texas+5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26UNLV at Akron-12.5————
Sat 10/3UNLV vs California-1.5————
Sat 10/10UNLV vs North Dakota State-5.5————
Sat 10/17UNLV at Air Force-7————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31UNLV vs Northern Illinois-20.5————
Sat 11/7UNLV vs Wyoming-13.5————
Sat 11/14UNLV at New Mexico+0.5————
Sat 11/21UNLV at San José State-14.5————
Sat 11/28UNLV vs Nevada-20.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, 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 UNLV'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
UNLV#15 (.3)47% (19)34.148% (19)3.19 (21)19646% (26)2514.45 (18)#107 (.21)44% (103)2845% (102)43% (95)3.78 (78)66.21.21.7
 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
UNLV0%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
UNLV Defense142829.744.3%3.781.7 - - - - - 47%50%45%43%15%.21
 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
UNLV Offense1434.136.846.8%4.451.2234471962515.649%49%48%46%16%.3

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
UNLV1430:4223.145%58%7.666.21.21.74.72.1528.2
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)
UNLV Defense1447% (39)45% (102) - - - - .23 (130)3.15 (112)62% (14)9% (103)1.11 (127)
 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)
UNLV Offense1449% (71)48% (19)35.3195.95.633 (30).26 (8)3.19 (21)71% (76)10% (103)1.09 (22)

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)
UNLV Defense1450% (93)43% (95) - - - - - - 14 (6).25 (70)1.6 (69)31% (73)31% (88).2 (27)6% (52)1.9 (28)
 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)
UNLV Offense1449% (67)46% (26)19.930.3250.98.312.624 (42)9 (34).37 (33)1.6 (51)30% (52)36% (18).47 (15)6% (51)2.1 (54)

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   UNLV: 4.56

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7   UNLV: 4.3




UNLV's Power Ratings
UNLV's Power Rating: 4.56  #77
UNLV's Offense Rating: 15.80  #44
UNLV's Defense Rating: 20.98  #108
2026 Talent Rating: 622.00  #92
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #103
UNLV's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
UNLV's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.3  #57
UNLV's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.8  #25
UNLV's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.8  #89

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
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
UNLV 37
Northern Illinois 17

Projected Total Points: 54
UNLV Scoring
Offense: 34.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.8
Defense: 28 PPG
Defense at Home: 29.7

UNLV'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
201509/05Northern Illinois38UNLV30Northern Illinois -16UNLV61.5Over
201409/13UNLV34Northern Illinois48Northern Illinois -12Northern Illinois0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UNLV011 Overs
Northern Illinois210 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 10 - 20 - 10 - 1
Road Teams1 - 12 - 01 - 01 - 0

(#130) NIU at (#77) UNLV
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNIUUNLV
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #130 #77
SP+SP+ #128 #57
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #102 #92
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #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
UNLV Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Mullen could run new MWC w/ resources
(3/3) QB Jackson Arnold (Aub) in, still have A. Orji
(3/3) RB Jai'Den Thomas one of G6 best, good depth
(3/3) WR rebuild, 3 portals, have some talent, lack exp
(3/3) OL 3 starters, 4 portal adds, should be good
(3/3) DL looks really suspect but only took 1 portal?
(3/3) DBs by far most exp'd, 4 decent starters w depth
UNLV Injury Report
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUNLV Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132 #103
ExplosiveExp #57 #112
PPAPPA #126 #107
PowerPwr #128 #108
SP+SP+ #135 #89
Pts POPPO #121 #78
HavocHav #29 #86
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUNLV Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #102
Run ExplRExp #15 #127
PPAExp #73 #130
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84 #112
Stuff RateStuff #60 #102
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUNLV Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136 #95
Pass ExplPExl #32 #69
PPAExp #134 #70
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #103
DB HavocDB #4 #52
UNLV on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatUNLV OffNIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #19 #100
ExplosiveExp #25 #40
PPAPPA #15 #86
PowerPwr #44 #121
SP+SP+ #25 #74
Pts POPPO #18 #49
HavocHav #80 #132
UNLV Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
UNLV OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #19 #111
Run ExplRExp #22 #62
PPAExp #8 #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #21 #117
Stuff RateStuff #64 #119
TackleTak - NR
UNLV Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatUNLV OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #26 #65
Pass ExplPExl #51 #55
PPAExp #33 #45
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #103 #134
DB HavocDB #51 #114
Program Comparison
UNLV 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Allegiant 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

UNLV's OC Corey Dennis (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jackson Arnold (Tr)13621563%1309626.1
Alex Orji33100%370012.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jai'Den Thomas1481034127.070
Jaylon Glover6438416.043
Jackson Arnold (Tr)11231182.856
Kayden McGee75618.025
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tastean Reddicks30391013.037
Taeshaun Lyons15234315.672
Jai'Den Thomas3823316.127
Amorion Walker (Tr)15201113.441

View UNLV's Full Roster

UNLV's DC Paul Guenther (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jake Pope803213
Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu615011
Landyn Cleveland (Tr)332012
Tre Fulton331014
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lucas Conti224310
Jake Pope803213
Elias Rudolph102200
Mark Iheanachor (Tr)41100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Quandarius Keyes141006
Tre Fulton331014
Jake Pope803213