Northern Illinois at San José State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo

Northern Illinois Huskies at San José State Spartans

San José State logo
Saturday, November 7th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Spartan Stadium - San Jose, CA  (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)
NIU 2nd straight Road Game
SJSU 2nd straight Home Game
SJSU is playing their 6th straight game
NIU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: San José State -3  (SP+ SJSU -2)

Projected Score: NIU: 23 - SJSU: 26 (49)
SJSU Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
NIU Travel: 1778 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Spartans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ken Niumatalolo (10 - 15)
Avg Score : 21 - 33 (26 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.3 - 8.7 (#83)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
 
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

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
San José State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29San José State at USC+38.5
Fri 9/4San José State at Eastern Michigan+7.5
Sat 9/12San José State vs Cal Poly-8.5
Sat 9/19San José State vs Fresno State+12.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3San José State at Hawai'i+16.5
Sat 10/10San José State vs Wyoming+4
Sat 10/17San José State at UTEP+3
Sat 10/24San José State at Nevada+1.5
Sat 10/31San José State vs New Mexico+13
Sat 11/7San José State vs Northern Illinois-3
Sat 11/14San José State at Air Force+10
Sat 11/21San José State vs UNLV+14.5
Sat 11/28San José State vs North Dakota State+12

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, 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 San José 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
SJSU#67 (.18)44% (54)21.447% (28)3.06 (46)12041% (72)2832.77 (130)#98 (.2)42% (77)32.542% (67)43% (81)4.04 (107)54.82.31.2
 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
SJSU0%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
SJSU Defense1232.529.542.1%4.041.2 - - - - - 54%44%42%43%12%.2
 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
SJSU Offense1221.425.843.5%2.772.3204031202834.638%60%47%41%15%.18

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
San José State1227:4720.143%26%5.854.82.31.24.31.5127.2
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)
SJSU Defense1254% (117)42% (67) - - - - .11 (70)3.02 (97)80% (121)8% (123)0.9 (37)
 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)
SJSU Offense1238% (132)47% (28)26.1120.14.614 (107).12 (65)3.06 (46)71% (78)6% (2)0.94 (78)

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)
SJSU Defense1244% (21)43% (81) - - - - - - 7 (38).34 (109)1.8 (128)31% (85)28% (55).32 (84)5% (118)2.1 (114)
 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)
SJSU Offense1260% (5)41% (72)22.840.6283.2712.517 (30)17 (34).22 (81)1.5 (106)32% (86)32% (48).29 (72)9% (135)1.8 (125)

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   San José State: -12.685

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7   San José State: -14.3




San José State's Power Ratings
San José State's Power Rating: -12.685  #133
San José State's Offense Rating: 4.30  #120
San José State's Defense Rating: 25.37  #132
2026 Talent Rating: 478.00  #122
Blue Chip Ratio: 2  #73
San José State's 2026 Expected Record: 4.3 - 8.7
San José State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.3  #118
San José State's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.6  #108
San José State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4  #115

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
San José State 26
Northern Illinois 23


Projected Total Points: 49
San José State Scoring
Offense: 21.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 25.8
Defense: 32.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 29.5

San José 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
San José State000 Overs
Northern Illinois000 Unders

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

(#130) NIU at (#133) SJSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNIUSJSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #130 #133
SP+SP+ #128 #118
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #102 #122
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #73
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
San José State Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Bad, this roster is really awful on paper
(3/3) Def awful LY, DC fired. Off went fast to protect OL
(3/3) QB Weaver (Haw) most exp'd, Amisone is mobile
(3/3) RB + WR pretty bleak. Need depth to rise
(3/3) OL likely bad again, only 2 starters, 3 portals
(3/3) DL is small, has 5 w exp, could they be avg?
(3/3) DBs look pretty awful, lack bodies, exp, talent
(3/3) Finished 1-6 last year, going south quickly
San José State Injury Report
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffSJSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132 #77
ExplosiveExp #57 #98
PPAPPA #126 #98
PowerPwr #128 #132
SP+SP+ #135 #115
Pts POPPO #121 #107
HavocHav #29 #129
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffSJSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #67
Run ExplRExp #15 #37
PPAExp #73 #70
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84 #97
Stuff RateStuff #60 #128
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffSJSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136 #81
Pass ExplPExl #32 #128
PPAExp #134 #109
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #123
DB HavocDB #4 #118
San José State on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCatSJSU OffNIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #54 #100
ExplosiveExp #58 #40
PPAPPA #67 #86
PowerPwr #120 #121
SP+SP+ #108 #74
Pts POPPO #130 #49
HavocHav #67 #132
San José State Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat
SJSU OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #28 #111
Run ExplRExp #78 #62
PPAExp #65 #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #46 #117
Stuff RateStuff #85 #119
TackleTak - NR
San José State Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCatSJSU OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #72 #65
Pass ExplPExl #106 #55
PPAExp #81 #45
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #2 #134
DB HavocDB #135 #114
Program Comparison
SJSU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Spartan 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

SJSU's OC Craig Stutzmann (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Weaver (Tr)6310560%628636.0
Tama Amisone265052%205034.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jabari Bates2719227.187
Tama Amisone3416014.723
Luke Weaver (Tr)277302.713
Viliami Teu177014.19
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Anderson24361015.052
Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa98409.329
Cooper Hoch54308.613
Jabari Bates112012.012

View San José State's Full Roster

SJSU's DC Bojay Filimoeatu (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ethan Powell373020
Justin Stearns253110
Solomone Langi192110
Noa Siaosi111110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aizik Mahuka (Tr)72100
Etu Finau52111
Solomone Langi192110
Noa Siaosi111110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Buxton (Tr)110002
Runye Norton00001
Etu Finau52111