There is nothing better than having Wednesday night MACtion and that returns on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, when the Buffalo Bulls visit the Northern Illinois Huskies. Buffalo is picked to finish first int eh MAC East by the medio and second in the East by the coaches. The Huskies were picked to finish last in the MAC West by both polls. This game will air live on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. EST.
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”ncaaf/northern_illinois” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]The 2019 Buffalo Bulls were picked to finish third in the MAC East preseason poll and finished right there with an 8-5 overall record and a 5-3 conference record. Buffalo lost key games to Miami Ohio and Ohio that ended up costing them a spot in the MAC Championship game. The Bulls still had a great end to the season as they were able to leave Buffalo in mid-December and headed down to the Bahamas to beat the Charlotte 49ers 31-9 in the Bahamas Bowl.
Northern Illinois was picked to finish third the MAC West, but ultimately finished fourth with a 5-7 overall record and a 4-4 conference record. The Huskies did not make it to a bowl game and had no notable wins during the season. It was a rough year for Thomas Hammock and 2020 may be even worse.
Below is my pick for the Buffalo Bulls at Northern Illinois Huskies. All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Buffalo Bulls (-10.5) at Northern Illinois Huskies: O/U 52.5 (-114/-107)
One of the best rushing attacks in the nation resides in Buffalo as Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks are a legitimate two-headed monster. Helping the two running backs are future NFL linemen Kayode Awosika and Mike Novitsky. Wide receiver Antonio Nunn will be the Bulls best option through the air. Defensively, defensive ends Malcolm Koonce and Taylor Riggins, and linebackers James Patterson and Kadofi Wright will look to keep points off the board.
Former Cal Bears QB Ross Bowers will look to have a better second season for NIU and he will rely on wide receiver Cole Tucker and running back Jordan Nettles to do so. Bowers could not stay healthy last season and when he was healthy, he completed just 58% of his passes. Defensively, the linebacking trio of Kyle Pugh, Lance Deveaux, and Vinny Labus will lead the Huskies defense.
Series History: Northern Illinois has won 12 consecutive meetings between these two, dating back to 1970, and leads the all-time series 12-1.
Football Picks: This is a big spread, on the road, in the opener, but I am going to back Buffalo -10.5 Wednesday.
2020 CFB Picks Results: 24-17