Western Michigan at Northern Illinois Week 13 College Football Matchup Western Michigan at Northern Illinois Matchup - Week 13
Wed, Nov 24 2021 · Week 13 · 🏟 Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL · Turf · 23,595 cap
Western Michigan✈ 164 mi-1 hr TZ
42 21
Final
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Western Michigan
33
Northern Illinois
28
P&R Line Western Michigan -5
P&R Total O/U 61
Confidence 90 High
Vegas Western Michigan -6.5 · O/U 60.0
Matchup Prediction
Western Michigan has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Western Michigan entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
Western Michigan -6.5
O/U 60.0
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Western Michigan · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🚌 Western Michigan 2nd straight Road Game
Western Michigan 2021 Schedule
Western Michigan's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Western Michigan at Michigan+16.5L14–4765.5L14–47UN
Sat 9/11Western Michigan vs Illinois State-12.5W28–056.5W28–0UY
Sat 9/18Western Michigan at Pittsburgh+14.0W44–4159.0W44–41OY
Sat 9/25Western Michigan vs San José State-2.5W23–361.5W23–3UY
Sat 10/2Western Michigan at Buffalo-7.0W24–1759.5W24–17UN
Sat 10/9Western Michigan vs Ball State-13.0L20–4557.5L20–45ON
Sat 10/16Western Michigan vs Kent State-7.0W64–3168.5W64–31OY
Sat 10/23Western Michigan at Toledo-1.5L15–3454.5L15–34UN
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/3Western Michigan vs Central Michigan-9.0L30–4264.5L30–42ON
Tue 11/9Western Michigan vs Akron-24.5W45–4062.0W45–40ON
Tue 11/16Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan-6.0L21–2266.0L21–22UN
Tue 11/23Western Michigan at Northern Illinois-6.5W42–2160.0W42–21OY
Mon 12/27Western Michigan vs Nevada-7.0W52–2456.0W52–24OY
Northern Illinois 2021 Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Northern Illinois at Georgia Tech+19.0W22–2157.0W22–21UY
Sat 9/11Northern Illinois vs Wyoming+7.0L43–5044.0L43–50OY
Sat 9/18Northern Illinois at Michigan+27.5L10–6354.5L10–63ON
Sat 9/25Northern Illinois vs Maine-21.5W41–1462.0W41–14UY
Sat 10/2Northern Illinois vs Eastern Michigan+0.0W27–2062.5W27–20UY
Sat 10/9Northern Illinois at Toledo+13.0W22–2051.5W22–20UY
Sat 10/16Northern Illinois vs Bowling Green-9.0W34–2644.5W34–26ON
Sat 10/23Northern Illinois at Central Michigan+6.0W39–3856.0W39–38OY
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/3Northern Illinois at Kent State+3.5L47–5272.0L47–52ON
Wed 11/10Northern Illinois vs Ball State+3.0W30–2959.5W30–29UY
Wed 11/17Northern Illinois at Buffalo-2.0W33–2759.5W33–27OY
Tue 11/23Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan+6.5L21–4260.0L21–42ON
Sat 12/4Northern Illinois vs Kent State+3.5W41–2375.5W41–23UY
Fri 12/17Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina+11.0L41–4763.0L41–47OY
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
Western Michigan PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Western Michigan
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Western Michigan
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Western Michigan
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Western Michigan
+0.666
Northern Illinois
+0.523
Western Michigan Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan
+0.742
Northern Illinois
+0.609
Western Michigan Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Western Michigan
0.219
Northern Illinois
0.134
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Western Michigan Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan
+8.530
Northern Illinois
+7.898
Western Michigan Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Western Michigan
+0.989
Northern Illinois
+0.856
Western Michigan Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Western Michigan
71.8
Northern Illinois
70.9
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Northern Illinois Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2021 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Western Michigan Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Western Michigan
-5.3
Northern Illinois
-17.8
Offense Rating
Western Michigan
14.5
Northern Illinois
8.5
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Western Michigan
19.9
Northern Illinois
26.3
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Western Michigan Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Western Michigan #12
1.50
Northern Illinois #47
1.20
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #73
1.00
Northern Illinois #134
1.50
Western Michigan +0.30
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 10 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Western Michigan Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Western Michigan #1
56.1
Northern Illinois #1
38.4
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #28
29.7
Northern Illinois #82
45.6
Western Michigan +17.7
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Western Michigan with a solid GC edge. Teams with this profile have covered 53.0% of the time historically (n=330) — a mild lean.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Western Michigan
Tim Lester #1
26–21 (55%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Mike Bath Yr 1 #1
DC Lou Esposito Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Northern Illinois
Thomas Hammock #1
6–15 (29%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Eric Eidsness Yr 1 #1
DC Derrick Jackson Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself