MAC foes meet when the Ohio Bobcats (3-3) and the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-5) square off on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium.

The Huskies are expected to lose by at least two scores (currently +11.5) versus the Bobcats (with an over/under of 42.5 points).

Below you’ll find our preview for this this contest between the Bobcats and the Huskies, and uncover all of our betting picks here, too!

Ohio vs. Northern Illinois betting lines

• Spread favorite: Bobcats (-11.5)
• Moneyline: Bobcats (-435), Huskies (+336)
• Total: 42.5 points

Ohio vs. Northern Illinois betting info and stats

Ohio has four wins against the spread so far this season (4-2-0). Ohio is winless ATS (0-2) when favorites by at least 11.5 points. Ohio has won two of its three games played as the moneyline favorite this season. Northern Illinois has a single win against the spread this season (1-5-0). When Northern Illinois is the underdog by 11.5 points or more, it has covered the spread one time (1-1 ATS). This is the fifth time this year Northern Illinois is an underdog on the moneyline, and have lost each such contest.

Ohio vs. Northern Illinois recent stats and trends

Ohio Bobcats

• Ohio is 1-2 against the spread in its last three games, and has a 2-1 straight-up record in those contests.
• In two of those three games, the final combined score has exceeded the set total.
• The last three Ohio games averaged 52.5 total points, 10.0 more points than this matchup’s over/under.

Northern Illinois Huskies

• Northern Illinois is winless against the spread over its past three games, and has a 2-1 straight-up record in those matchups.
• The final combined score of the past three Northern Illinois games exceeded the set total one time.
• The past three Northern Illinois games averaged 0.2 more points (42.7) than this matchup’s point total.

Ohio vs. Northern Illinois key players

Ohio Bobcats

• Parker Navarro has been a dual threat for Ohio so far this season. He has 1,266 passing yards, completing 64.1% of his passes and throwing nine touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 398 yards (66.3 ypg) on 65 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
• Sieh Bangura has racked up 481 yards on 99 carries while finding paydirt four times as a runner.
• Chase Hendricks has hauled in 37 receptions for 585 yards (97.5 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone four times as a receiver.
• Mason Williams has hauled in 15 receptions totaling 140 yards, finding the end zone two times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Rodney Harris II has hauled in 11 grabs for 131 yards, an average of 21.8 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
• Jay Crable has 4.0 sacks to pace the team, and also has 5.0 TFL and 14 tackles.
• Ohio’s leading tackler, Michael Molnar, has 42 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
• Cameron Hollobaugh leads the team with two interceptions, while also putting up 30 tackles, one sack, and two passes defended.

Northern Illinois Huskies

• Josh Holst has recored 376 passing yards, or 94.0 per game, so far this season. He has completed 59.7% of his passes and has thrown one touchdown with two interceptions. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 14.3 rushing yards per game.
• The team’s top rusher, Telly Johnson Jr., has carried the ball 67 times for 395 yards (65.8 per game), with two touchdowns this year. He’s proven to be a dual threat, hauling in 61 receiving yards (10.2 per game) on 11 catches.
• Chavon Wright has taken 82 carries and totaled 314 yards with one touchdown.
• DeAree Rogers leads his squad with 289 receiving yards on 28 receptions with one touchdown.
• Gary Givens III has caught six passes and compiled 87 receiving yards (14.5 per game).
• Quinton Urwiler paces the team with 1.5 sacks. He’s also the team’s tackle leader, and has collected 3.0 TFL and 70 tackles.
• Muhammad Jammeh has a team-leading two interceptions to go along with 38 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and two passes defended.