Northern Illinois vs UNLV Prediction, Picks and Odds

Northern Illinois hasn’t won a game, its offense ranks near the bottom of the country, and its average loss to FBS opponents has been nearly four touchdowns. That’s the backdrop for this Northern Illinois vs UNLV prediction, where the bigger storyline may be the future of the man on the opposite sideline. Dan Mullen’s name is circulating in the coaching carousel after Maryland finally parted ways with Mike Locksley, but for one more Saturday, his focus is on a Huskies team in serious trouble.

UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold and an offense scoring more than 30 points per game in its current four-game stretch should have plenty of room to work. Before you lock in your college football predictions, here’s a complete breakdown of the odds, line movement, key matchups, and best bets.

Northern Illinois vs UNLV Quick Picks and Prediction

Spread Pick: UNLV -24.5 (-105)
Total Pick: Under 54.5 (-115)
Projected Final Score: UNLV 41, Northern Illinois 10

Odds and Line Movement for Northern Illinois vs UNLV

The spread opened at UNLV -24.5, briefly dipped to -23.5, and has returned to -24.5 with public spread money heavily backing the Rebels. The total has climbed two full points from 52.5 to 54.5, while total money has gone entirely to the under. Track every move with our odds page.

Opening Odds

Team	Spread	Total
Northern Illinois Huskies	+24.5 (-110)	Over 52.5 (-110)
UNLV Rebels	-24.5 (-110)	Under 52.5 (-110)

Current Odds

Team	Spread	Total
Northern Illinois Huskies	+24.5 (-115)	Over 54.5 (-105)
UNLV Rebels	-24.5 (-105)	Under 54.5 (-115)

Line Movement – Spread

Date	Northern Illinois	UNLV
10/28	+24.5 (-115)	-24.5 (-105)
10/26	+23.5 (-105)	-23.5 (-115)
10/25	+24.5 (-118)	-24.5 (-102)
10/25	+24.5 (-112)	-24.5 (-108)
10/25	+24.5 (-115)	-24.5 (-105)
10/25	+24.5 (-112)	-24.5 (-108)
10/25	+24.5 (-115)	-24.5 (-105)
10/25	+24.5 (-110)	-24.5 (-110)

Line Movement – Total

Date	Over	Under
10/28	54.5 (-105)	54.5 (-115)
10/25	53.5 (-112)	53.5 (-108)
10/25	52.5 (-112)	52.5 (-108)
10/25	52.5 (-110)	52.5 (-110)

Key Matchups and Handicap: Northern Illinois vs UNLV

The coaching carousel has a domino effect when one school doesn’t make an expected move. Maryland waited until last week to finally part ways with Mike Locksley, whose last half-season with the Terrapins was predictably brutal and cost the program a year’s head start on any rebuild. Had College Park opened up last season, there’s a good chance UNLV head coach Dan Mullen, a regional native, would have been interested.

Rebels Have the Coaching Carousel Spotlight

It’s no secret that Mullen may be using the UNLV job as a springboard back to the Power 4, just as Barry Odom did before his move to Purdue. Word in Mountain West circles is that Mullen could be interested in the Maryland opening.

That wouldn’t be the worst scenario for UNLV administrators, who are reportedly cheering the possibility of a buyout that, as with Odom two years ago, would help the athletic department balance its books for the fiscal year. Whether Mullen remains in the mix is now a fair question, as the Rebels have dropped a bit from their lofty Mountain West perch of a year ago.

On the field, UNLV’s offense has picked up steam. Jackson Arnold and the Rebels are scoring more than 30 points per game during their current four-game stretch, and this matchup offers a chance for that offense to have some fun.

NIU Offense Ranks Near the Bottom of FBS

Northern Illinois has yet to win a game this season under interim head coach Rob Harley. Harley is only in the role because predecessor Michael Hammock left for a job on the Seattle Seahawks staff in February, and he left the cupboard nearly bare in DeKalb. The Huskies’ average loss margin against FBS opponents this season is almost 27 points per game.

Quarterback Taron Dickens, a transfer from Western Carolina, threw a whopping 38 touchdown passes in the SoCon last season. This fall, without the same weapons around him, he has just six touchdown passes past the midway point of the season.

Northern Illinois ranks 129th nationally in total offense at barely 300 yards per game and even worse in scoring offense, sitting 135th at just 15.1 points per game. The Huskies’ only spread cover of the season came against a disinterested Arizona team that was goofing around too much to cover a five-touchdown spread in Tucson.

Betting Trends: NIU vs UNLV

Northern Illinois has yet to win a game this season.
The Huskies’ average loss margin against FBS opponents is nearly 27 points.
Northern Illinois ranks 129th in total offense at barely 300 yards per game.
The Huskies rank 135th in scoring offense at 15.1 points per game.
Northern Illinois’ only ATS cover came against Arizona as a five-touchdown underdog.
UNLV is scoring more than 30 points per game during its current four-game stretch.
Public spread money has heavily backed UNLV, while total money has gone to the under.

Key Injuries and Notes: NIU vs UNLV

Northern Illinois: Rob Harley is serving as interim head coach after Michael Hammock left for the Seattle Seahawks staff in February.
Northern Illinois: QB Taron Dickens has six touchdown passes this season after throwing 38 at Western Carolina last year.
UNLV: Head coach Dan Mullen has been linked to the Maryland opening after Mike Locksley’s dismissal.
UNLV: QB Jackson Arnold leads an offense averaging more than 30 points per game over its current four-game stretch.
UNLV: The Rebels have slipped from their lofty Mountain West position of a year ago.

ATS and Total Picks for Northern Illinois vs UNLV

ATS Pick: Laying 24.5 points is a big number, but Northern Illinois has lost to FBS opponents by an average of nearly 27 points. The Huskies own one of the nation’s worst offenses, and their lone cover came against a team that wasn’t taking them seriously. UNLV’s offense is clicking, and Arnold should have little trouble moving the ball. Take UNLV -24.5.

Total Pick: The total has climbed from 52.5 to 54.5, which creates value on the under. Northern Illinois is scoring just 15.1 points per game, ranking 135th in the country, and Dickens has managed only six touchdown passes. UNLV will need to do almost all of the scoring itself, and if the Rebels build a big lead, they have little reason to keep the foot on the gas late. Take the under 54.5.

Northern Illinois vs UNLV Best Bets

Best Bet: UNLV -24.5 (-105)
Total: Under 54.5 (-115)

Final Score Prediction for Northern Illinois vs UNLV

Jackson Arnold and the UNLV offense should have their way against a winless Northern Illinois team that can’t keep pace, while the Huskies’ struggling attack keeps the total in check.