Northern Illinois at Arizona - 2026 Matchup Preview

Northern Illinois Huskies at Arizona Wildcats

Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Arizona Stadium - Tucson, AZ

Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rob Harley (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (16 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#100)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)

Our Line: Arizona -29 (SP+ ARIZ -29)
Projected Score: NIU: 9 - ARIZ: 38 (47)
ARIZ Win prob: 96% | Cover: 42%
NIU Travel: 1388 miles, 2 hrs ahead

Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Brent Brennan (13 - 12)
Avg Score : 32 - 19 (35 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.2 - 3.8 (#32)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 6) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)

Matchup
Schedules
NIU Players
ARIZ Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Northern Illinois at Iowa	+31	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	Northern Illinois vs Illinois State	-6	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	Northern Illinois at Arizona	+29	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Northern Illinois at Georgia State	-1.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10	Northern Illinois vs Air Force	+9	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/17	Northern Illinois at Wyoming	+9	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/24	Northern Illinois vs Hawai'i	+14.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/31	Northern Illinois at UNLV	+23	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/7	Northern Illinois at San José State	+3	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/14	Northern Illinois vs Nevada	-2.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	Northern Illinois at North Dakota State	+20	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	Northern Illinois vs UTEP	-2	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 5
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

Arizona's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Arizona vs Northern Arizona	-30.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	Arizona at BYU	+5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	Arizona vs Northern Illinois	-29	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Arizona at Washington State	-9	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/3	Arizona vs Cincinnati	-11.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/10	Arizona at West Virginia	-11	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24	Arizona vs Iowa State	-6.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/31	Arizona at Texas Tech	+19.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/7	Arizona vs TCU	-6	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/14	Arizona vs Utah	-3.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	Arizona at Kansas State	-1.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	Arizona vs Arizona State	-7.5	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Arizona's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NIU	#126 (.04)	34% (132)	17.1	38% (116)	2.84 (84)	186	28% (136)	99	3.04 (121)	#86 (.19)	44% (100)	24.3	46% (111)	41% (65)	3.45 (49)	38	0.9	1.1
ARIZ	#58 (.19)	43% (63)	31.5	42% (87)	3.1 (41)	153	43% (52)	255	3.61 (79)	#37 (.1)	39% (33)	19.3	45% (97)	34% (10)	3.38 (44)	52.2	1	2.4

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NIU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
ARIZ		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NIU Offense	12	17.1	16.3	34.5%	3.04	0.9	15	284	186	99	4.5	65%	34%	38%	28%	13%	.04
ARIZ Defense	13	19.3	15.6	39%	3.38	2.4	-	-	-	-	-	51%	46%	45%	34%	20%	.1

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NIU Defense	12	24.3	27.8	44.1%	3.45	1.1	-	-	-	-	-	58%	40%	46%	41%	11%	.19
ARIZ Offense	13	31.5	34.9	42.6%	3.61	1	22	408	153	255	4.3	46%	54%	42%	43%	15%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Northern Illinois	12	29:13	15	32%	59%	4.3	38	0.9	1.1	3.3	1.2	1	27.3
Arizona	13	30:57	22.3	41%	63%	5.6	52.2	1	2.4	6.2	1.6	2	33.7

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NIU Offense	12	65% (6)	38% (116)	41.4	185.6	4.5	16 (122)	.11 (73)	2.84 (84)	69% (85)	10% (87)	1.11 (15)
ARIZ Defense	13	51% (85)	45% (97)	-	-	-	-	.11 (73)	2.85 (60)	72% (79)	11% (34)	0.9 (35)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NIU Defense	12	58% (132)	46% (111)	-	-	-	-	.17 (107)	3.18 (117)	72% (78)	7% (134)	0.95 (62)
ARIZ Offense	13	46% (101)	42% (87)	35.4	152.7	4.3	20 (88)	.14 (53)	3.1 (41)	74% (54)	9% (53)	1.04 (43)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NIU Offense	12	34% (131)	28% (136)	10.8	20.3	98.8	4.9	9.2	8 (128)	6 (60)	(134)	1.6 (32)	34% (116)	23% (132)	.13 (127)	3% (4)	2.1 (46)
ARIZ Defense	13	46% (35)	34% (10)	-	-	-	-	-	-	22 (12)	.17 (35)	1.6 (101)	32% (52)	26% (21)	.22 (39)	9% (2)	2.1 (109)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NIU Defense	12	40% (5)	41% (65)	-	-	-	-	-	-	9 (55)	.19 (45)	1.5 (55)	28% (120)	36% (130)	.5 (134)	5% (114)	2.1 (108)
ARIZ Offense	13	54% (28)	43% (52)	21.6	34.4	255.2	7.4	11.8	29 (14)	8 (88)	.24 (73)	1.5 (93)	32% (70)	31% (59)	.38 (40)	6% (63)	2.1 (51)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -17.81 #130
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 8.46 #120
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 26.27 #134
2026 Talent Rating: 515.00 #97
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #104
Northern Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3
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 426.9
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -17.81 Arizona: 13.275

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7 Arizona: 12.0

Arizona's Power Ratings
Arizona's Power Rating: 13.275 #24
Arizona's Offense Rating: 21.50 #19
Arizona's Defense Rating: 11.94 #37
2026 Talent Rating: 709.00 #66
Blue Chip Ratio: 875 #43
Arizona's 2026 Expected Record: 8.2 - 3.8
Arizona's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.0 #27
Arizona's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.0 #29
Arizona's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.5 #25

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 766.38
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

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
Arizona 38
Northern Illinois 9

Projected Total Points: 47

Arizona Scoring
Offense: 31.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 34.9
Defense: 19.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.6

Arizona'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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Arizona	0	0	0 Overs
Northern Illinois	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0

(#130) NIU at (#24) ARIZ

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	NIU	ARIZ
Game ControlGC	#109	#40
Momentum ControlMC	#111	#39
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#130	#24
SP+SP+	#128	#27
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#97	#66
Blue ChipsBC%	#104	#43

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

Arizona Notes(2/17) Vibes: Hopeful, jump to 9 wins LY + Fifita back
(2/10) DBs 4 portals + CB Cole. Very promising unit
(2/9) QB Fifita is back for 3rd year (2nd w OC Doege)
(2/9) RBs have 3 w exp but limited prod. Have depth
(2/9) WR have 3 w good exp but none stand out
(2/9) OL looks decent, 3 back, 2 more portal starters
(2/9) DL looks in rough shape, some exp, meh prod
(2/9) LB corps looks strong, 3 solid starters w depth
(2/9) Have ? at DL and Off playmakers. Solid roster
Arizona Injury Report

Northern Illinois on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	NIU Off	ARIZ Def
Game ControlGC	#128	#49
Momentum ControlMC	#123	#55
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#132	#33
ExplosiveExp	#57	#41
PPAPPA	#126	#37
PowerPwr	#120	#37
SP+SP+	#135	#25
Pts POPPO	#121	#44
HavocHav	#29	#5

Northern Illinois Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	NIU Off	ARIZ Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#116	#97
Run ExplRExp	#15	#35
PPAExp	#73	#73
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#84	#60
Stuff RateStuff	#60	#81
TackleTak	-	NR

Northern Illinois Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	NIU Off	ARIZ Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#136	#10
Pass ExplPExl	#32	#101
PPAExp	#134	#35
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#87	#34
DB HavocDB	#4	#2

Arizona on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat	ARIZ Off	NIU Def
Game ControlGC	#38	#93
Momentum ControlMC	#28	#104
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#63	#100
ExplosiveExp	#44	#40
PPAPPA	#58	#86
PowerPwr	#19	#134
SP+SP+	#29	#74
Pts POPPO	#79	#49
HavocHav	#57	#132

Arizona Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat	ARIZ Off	NIU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#87	#111
Run ExplRExp	#43	#62
PPAExp	#53	#107
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#41	#117
Stuff RateStuff	#71	#119
TackleTak	-	NR

Arizona Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat	ARIZ Off	NIU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#52	#65
Pass ExplPExl	#93	#55
PPAExp	#73	#45
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#53	#134
DB HavocDB	#63	#114

Program Comparison
ARIZ 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

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

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

No Matchups Past 4 Years

NIU's OC Quinn Sanders (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Josh Holst	78	130	60%	689	4	3	5.3
Brady Davidson	40	87	46%	384	3	3	4.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chavon Wright	196	875	5	4.5	45
Telly Johnson Jr.	124	690	4	5.6	80
Jalen Macon	45	216	5	4.8	36
Lazaro Rogers	33	189	1	5.7	76

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Rickey Taylor Jr.	9	134	1	14.9	41
Telly Johnson Jr.	16	97	0	6.1	17
Elijah Porter	1	67	1	67.0	67
George Dimopoulos	11	58	0	5.3	19

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Rob Harley (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Mark Hensley	31	5	1	1	0
Donte Harrison	30	2	0	0	5
Jay'Shon Thomas	19	3	2	5	0
James Finley	15	0	0	0	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS
Jay'Shon Thomas	19	3	2	5
Mark Hensley	31	5	1	1
Landon Tate	3	0	0	0
Malik Armstrong	1	0	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Donte Harrison	30	2	5
Dev'ion Reynolds	13	0	3
James Finley	15	0	2

ARIZ's OC Seth Doege (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Noah Fifita	275	429	64%	3228	29	6	7.5
Mason Bray	1	2	50%	22	0	0	11.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Antwan Roberts (Tr)	90	512	4	5.7	54
Kedrick Reescano	84	396	9	4.7	50
Quincy Craig	65	364	2	5.6	54
Noah Fifita	115	222	3	1.9	19

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Tre Spivey	23	381	7	16.6	70
Chris Hunter	27	372	2	13.8	35
Gio Richardson	21	299	2	14.2	60
Rodney Gallagher	28	243	0	8.7	26

View Arizona's Full Roster

ARIZ's DC Danny Gonzales (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Taye Brown	93	9	2	3	1
Lee Molette III (Tr)	65	3	0	0	3
Everett Roussaw Jr. (Tr)	58	7	3	1	4
Chase Kennedy	42	8	4	7	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Chase Kennedy	42	8	4	7	0
Everett Roussaw Jr. (Tr)	58	7	3	1	4
Taye Brown	93	9	2	3	1
Jay'Vion Cole	23	3	1	0	4

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tyrese Boss (Tr)	36	0	0	0	5
Everett Roussaw Jr. (Tr)	58	7	3	1	4
Jay'Vion Cole	23	3	1	0	4