Northern Illinois at Arizona Week 3 College Football Matchup Northern Illinois at Arizona Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 19 2026 · Week 3 · 🏟 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ · Turf · 56,029 cap
Northern Illinois✈ 1,388 mi-2 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Northern Illinois
9
Arizona
38
P&R Line Arizona -29
P&R Total O/U 46
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Arizona has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Arizona entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Arizona wins
Lean
Game Control
67.1%
Arizona wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Arizona · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Northern Illinois 2026 Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northern Illinois at Iowa+31
Sat 9/12Northern Illinois vs Illinois State-6
Sat 9/19Northern Illinois at Arizona+29
Sat 9/26Northern Illinois at Georgia State-1.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10Northern Illinois vs Air Force+9
Sat 10/17Northern Illinois at Wyoming+9
Sat 10/24Northern Illinois vs Hawai'i+14.5
Sat 10/31Northern Illinois at UNLV+23
Sat 11/7Northern Illinois at San José State+3
Sat 11/14Northern Illinois vs Nevada-2.5
Sat 11/21Northern Illinois at North Dakota State+20
Sat 11/28Northern Illinois vs UTEP-2
Arizona 2026 Schedule
Arizona's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Arizona vs Northern Arizona-30.5
Sat 9/12Arizona at BYU+5
Sat 9/19Arizona vs Northern Illinois-29
Sat 9/26Arizona at Washington State-9
Sat 10/3Arizona vs Cincinnati-11.5
Sat 10/10Arizona at West Virginia-11
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Arizona vs Iowa State-6.5
Sat 10/31Arizona at Texas Tech+19.5
Sat 11/7Arizona vs TCU-6
Sat 11/14Arizona vs Utah-3.5
Sat 11/21Arizona at Kansas State-1.5
Sat 11/28Arizona vs Arizona State-7.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Arizona PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Arizona
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Arizona
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Arizona
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Northern Illinois #126
+0.140
Arizona #58
+0.374
Arizona Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Northern Illinois #134
+0.175
Arizona #73
+0.426
Arizona Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Northern Illinois #132
0.112
Arizona #5
0.202
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Arizona Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Northern Illinois #121
+6.423
Arizona #79
+7.057
Arizona Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Northern Illinois #132
+0.735
Arizona #63
+0.867
Arizona Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Northern Illinois #118
72.7
Arizona #4
66.3
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Arizona Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Arizona Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Northern Illinois #130
-17.8
Arizona #24
9.6
Offense Rating
Northern Illinois #120
8.5
Arizona #19
21.5
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Northern Illinois #134
26.3
Arizona #37
11.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Arizona Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Northern Illinois #123
0.91
Arizona #28
1.25
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Northern Illinois #104
1.36
Arizona #55
0.92
Arizona +0.34
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Arizona Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Northern Illinois #128
37.0
Arizona #38
52.9
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Northern Illinois #93
46.2
Arizona #49
33.5
Arizona +15.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Northern Illinois
Rob Harley #77
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Quinn Sanders Yr 1 #67
DC Rob Harley Yr 1 #130
Staff Rating
2.21 #114
Arizona
Brent Brennan #58
13–12 (52%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Seth Doege Yr 2 #33
DC Danny Gonzales Yr 2 #38
Staff Rating
3.11 #40
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: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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