College Football Predictions – Northern Illinois Huskies 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 5-7
2016 ATS – 6-5-1
Whoa.
The last time that Northern Illinois failed to participate in the post-season was sometime during the Nixon administration. Or maybe 2007. In any event, it was a bit surprising to see the Huskies struggle to a 5-7 record, but the opening schedule was tough and they could not recover. They did win four of their last five games and figure to have a bad taste in their collective mouths heading into the 2017 version of #MACtion.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
MAC – TBD
West Division – TBD
OFFENSE
We lost track of how many QBs the Huskies had to use in 2016. Injuries, yo. Ryan Graham returns this season and he is more than capable of leading this team to good things if he can stay healthy. Redshirt freshman Marcus Childers emerged during camp. We have faith in the Huskies finding a viable option.
The tricky part is that Northern Illinois is going to need new stars to emerge at RB and WR. Leading rusher Joel “Beef” Bouagnon departs as does #1 WR Kenny Golladay. Jordan Huff is capable of being a go-to #1 option in the running game but we are a bit skeptical of the overall talent in the WR and TE groups. Long-time MEGALOCKS PLATINUM PLUTONIUM members know that we place a huge emphasis on the offensive line and the Huskies are going to have another REALLY good one. Last season they gave up a seemingly impossible 8 (!) sacks all season and paved the way for 5.2 yards per carry. We do not believe that the Huskies will be overly explosive but they definitely have the makings of a team that can average 30 points per game.
DEFENSE
The Huskies allowed 30 points per game for the first time since 2011. They did tighten up a bit once MACtion started and return seven starters to the mix in 2017. Issue #1 ? Find a way to get PENETRATION. The Huskies only tallied 22 sacks last season and they need to do better than that if they want to compete for a MAC West crown. To sum things up, the front seven looks like it may be an issue, but the secondary returns 4/4 starters and just might be the best unit in the MAC. So. Get some pressure on the QB and things can work out pretty well in our estimation. This feels like a slightly above average MAC defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Things look a bit sketchy. PK Christian Hagan made 11/18 FGs last season and they need to break in a new punter. The return units could definitely use some additional spice.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
Nov 2 – at Toledo. This will be the Huskies 4th road game in six weeks. There is no doubt that the motivation will be there but Toledo is a really tough place to win a football game.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Rod Carey is 0-4 in bowl games despite a 36-19 overall record with the Huskies.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the HUSKIES a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.
It feels like a mixed bag. We worry about the depth at QB and the lack of explosiveness (on paper) in the RB and WR units. The front seven looks average. There are also a number of tough road games.
What you cannot deny is that HC Rod Carey is a reliable ATS man compiling a 30-23-1 (57%) record vs Vegas during his tenure at Northern Illinois. That record includes a 6-5-1 mark during last season’s HOT MESS. The Huskies are proven winners and are more than capable of exceeding expectations in a division that lacks a true MONSTER. Pick your spots.
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