Northern Illinois Huskies @ Fresno State Bulldogs uDrove Humanitarian Bowl Pick

Northern Illinois Huskies @ Fresno State Bulldogs uDrove Humanitarian Bowl Pick: Northern Illinois came into their final game riding a 9 game winning streak. Not only were they winning, but in the 3 games leading up to the Miami-Ohio game, the Huskies scored 65, 59, and 71 points respectively. Miami-Ohio shut them down a little and the Huskies took their first loss in more than 2 months, coming up 2nd in the Mac Championship. Still, the Huskies have been very impressive, and while they come in without the head-coach that got them there (Jerry Kill was hired to take over at Minnesota), they have a very apt staff and the excitement of their new coaching hire, Dave Doeren, a defensive coordinator this year at Wisconsin.

Fresno State won their last two games of the season, slipping by Idaho 23-20 and upsetting Illinois 25-23. Both games were at home. Rarely did the Bulldogs fail to compete this season. They were hammered by Boise State and lost by 22 to Hawaii, but close games everywhere else makes them a respectable foe.

Both teams throw the ball consistently and efficiently, but Northern Illinois is very dedicated to the run, and that’s where they beat opponents. Their loss to Miami-Ohio in the MAC Championship was their first time in 10 games where they’ve been out-rushed, and the Redhawks only got them by 7 yards. The Bulldogs rank in the Top 50 in most defensive categories, dead 50th against the run, but they haven’t been great and I’m sure NIU plans to get to the ground early and often.

The Huskies rank 7th in rushing yards on the season, 21st in total yards. They have really been impressive offensively. Their defense ranks higher than Fresno in every category, as they finished 28th in total defense, 16th in the Nation in points allowed – just 19.1 per game.

In what I think should be a tough one, I like the Huskies. Fresno doesn’t have the best bowl record over the past handful of years, and NIU will be plenty excited in their chance to show their offensive prowess.

Northern Illinois Huskies (-1) @ Fresno State Bulldogs