NCAAF Predictions: Is Buffalo a Great ‘Home Dog’ Pick? 10/14/17
Northern Illinois earned a signature win of their season when they went into Lincoln and beat Nebraska in week three. They couldn’t follow up that magic losing their next game out to #18 San Diego State. Either way, those two opponents alone are outweigh anybody the Buffalo Bulls have played this year by a long shot. It’s just one of the reasons the Huskies are expected to win their 11th game in 12 head to head meetings between the two in NCAAF Predictions Northern Illinois Buffalo.
Odds
Northern Illinois -6 is the biggest public favorite of the day with an astounding 85% of the public backing the Huskies. Experienced bettors know that this is a ripe opportunity for a contrarian play. That being said, does it make sense to bet on Buffalo for the sole reason that everybody else is going on the other side? Let’s break it down for the NCAAF Predictions Northern Illinois Buffalo.
Northern Illinois Huskies
One thing that could be working against NIU in this matchup is the fact that they’ll be playing their third game on the road in the last four overall. They did have a bye week mixed in their and have the added benefits of riding one of the nation’s best defenses into this road tilt. NIU is 6th in the nation in yards allowed, 7th in passing YPG given up, and 15th in rushing yardage allowed.
Buffalo Bulls
It’s easy to see why bettors might be hesitant on backing the Bulls today, especially considering the fact that they gave up 71 (!) points last week against Western Michigan. True, they scored 68 themselves and the fact that the game went into 7 OT’s might have had something to do with that point output. The confidence that backup QB Drew Anderson showed in that game is one of the major reasons Buffalo could get the W today, as he threw for 597 yards and 7TD with 0INT. Starter Tyree Jackson is expected to miss another game with a knee injury so it should be Anderson at the helm again.
NCAAF Predictions Northern Illinois Buffalo
NIU is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games and have famously won 10 of 11 games in this series. NIU is 4-1 the last 5 meetings ATS and won last year’s matchup 44-7. Buffalo is porous in the run defense giving up 236.7 per game (119th). You hate to be on the side of 84% of the public, but it’s just a really tough spot for the Bulls this week.
Pick: Northern Illinois -6.5
