Michigan Football game Saturday: Michigan vs Northern Illinois odds and prediction for Week 3
Following an impressive win over Washington Saturday night, Michigan football will host Northern Illinois Saturday. Here are the odds and a prediction.
While plenty of Michigan football fans are debating the way the Wolverines beat Washington Saturday night, there’s no debate about what happened.
The Wolverines beat one of the most talented programs in the Pac-12 by three touchdowns. And after last season, I wouldn’t think Michigan football fans would complain about a win.
Yet, there was complaining, about the lack of passing to which Jim Harbaugh said this:
Jim Harbaugh says he’s heard people ask him why Michigan ran so much. Notes that some, like George Patton, get their job done on the ground. Others, like Neil Armstrong, get it done in the air. Harbaugh said, on Saturday, they chose the ground: “Mission accomplished.”
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) September 13, 2021
You play to win the game, yes?
Michigan football beat Washington — beat the heck out of them and notched an impressive win in the process, one that’s already reverberating on the recruiting trail.
So let’s not worry about style points.
This Saturday, Northern Illinois is coming to the Big House for the third straight home game open the 2021 season. It will be the final non-conference title before Big Ten play opens with Rutgers.
Here’s a look at the odds, as well as a prediction for Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Michigan Football vs Northern Illinois odds Week 3
The Week 3 betting odds on WynnBET have Michigan football favored over Washington right now by 27 points with an over/under set at 54.5.
Michigan Football vs Northern Illinois Prediction Week 3
Following a primetime matchup last Saturday, Michigan football is hosting Northern Illinois for an early kickoff. The Huskies went winless last season in the MAC but are 1-1 so far in 2021, with a win at Georgia Tech, as well as a loss at Wyoming.
Northern Illinois will have a familiar face at quarterback as former Michigan State signal-caller Rocky Lombardi will be the starter for the Huskies. Lombardi threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns a year ago in an upset win over the Wolverines and he’ll look to do something similar this Saturday.
This Northern Illinois squad will be about as big an underdog as that Michigan State team was, but the talent isn’t nearly at the same level.
Michigan football should be able to exploit NIU on defense since the Huskies have allowed 4.8 yards per rush and 232 yards per game on the ground, as well as 412 total yards and 35 points per game, which ranks 116th in the FBS in scoring defense.
This will be the second week for Michigan football without Ronnie Bell and after throwing just 15 times a week ago, we’ll see the Wolverines airing it out more this week.
McNamara needs to build his confidence before Big Ten play, and so do receivers such as Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson, and hopefully, Daylen Baldwin, if he’s able to go.
Next. 5 things we learned in Washington win. dark
Still, the running game is the identity of this team. We found that out Saturday night and that’s not going to change. The pass will be more of an emphasis, but Michigan football has another big day on the ground and we are predicting a 42-13 win.