Northern Illinois vs. Ohio, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC Northern Illinois (1-5, 0-2 MAC) will be trying to pick up their first road win of the season when they visit Peden Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Ohio (3-3, 1-1 MAC) at 12 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Huskies vs. Bobcats prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF FREE Picks
The Huskies are coming off a 16-10 loss to Eastern Michigan as 1.5-point favorites. The Bobcats are coming off a 20-14 loss to Ball State as 14-point favorites.
Northern Illinois is 6-4 in its last 10 games against Ohio. The Huskies won the last meeting in 2023, 23-13.
Northern Illinois Trying To Snap Five-Game Losing Streak
The Huskies haven’t played well since their season-opening win over FCS Holy Cross, and dropped their last five games, failing to cover the spread in their last four. They will try to put an end to the streak and pick up their first road win of the season when they play on Saturday.
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The main problem starts on the offensive side of the ball, where Northern Illinois averages 10.8 points per game, which is 135th in the nation. They throw for 99.8 yards and rush for 157.8 yards per game.
Josh Hoist has completed 60 percent of his passes for 376 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Telly Johnson Jr. leads the team with 67 carries for 417 yards and two touchdowns, while DeAree Rogers leads the team with 28 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Northern Illinois is giving up 20.3 points per game, which is 42nd in the country. They are giving up 169.2 passing yards and 175 rushing yards per game.
Ohio Trying To Bounce Back From Loss
The Bobcats had their two-game winning streak snapped by Ball State in their last game, dropping them to 0-3 on the road this season. They have won three straight home games and will try to pick up their fourth home win in a row when they play on Saturday.
Ohio averages 26.3 points per game, which is 81st in the country. They throw for 214.4 yards and rush for 194.7 yards per game.
Parker Navarro has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,266 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also has 65 carries for 398 yards and three touchdowns. Sieh Bangura leads the team with 99 carries for 481 yards and four touchdowns, while Chase Hendricks leads the team with 37 catches for 585 yards and four touchdowns.
Ohio is giving up 26 points per game, which is 80th in the country. They are giving up 226.4 passing yards and 159.2 rushing yards per game.
Northern Illinois vs. Ohio Picks
Point Spread Pick for Northern Illinois vs. Ohio
- Ohio Bobcats -11 (4 Units)
The Bobcats have won three straight home games, while the Huskies have lost three straight road games. Ohio has the edge here because they’re the better offensive team, led by one of the best ground games in the country. Even though the Huskies have played well defensively, they have been unable to stop opponents from running against them, giving up more than 170 yards per game on the ground, so expect the Bobcats to play well offensively in this game.
The Huskies will have a hard time keeping up offensively because they’re not a passing threat, with the team gaining less than 100 yards per game, and they rely heavily on their ground game. The Bobcats don’t have to worry about Northern Illinois’ passing game, which will allow them to stack the box and keep their ground game in check. Take Ohio to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Northern Illinois vs. Ohio
- Over 41.5 (4 Units)
The Bobcats played over the total in two of their last three games. Ohio averages 26.3 points per game. They run the ball 55 percent of the time with the 33rd-best ground game in the country. They are facing a team that is 98th against the run and is giving up 24.6 points per game on the road. The Huskies average 10.8 points per game. They run the ball 58 percent of the time with the 63rd-best ground game in the country, and they’re facing a team that is 81st against the run and is giving up 26 points per game. Expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total.
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