{"id":118944,"date":"2024-09-26T13:50:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T20:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/?p=118944"},"modified":"2024-09-26T13:50:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T20:50:16","slug":"fbs-g5-underdog-of-week-niu-nc-state-rmrm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/fbs-g5-underdog-of-week-niu-nc-state-rmrm\/","title":{"rendered":"Group Of Five Underdog Of The Week: Northern Illinois +7 at NC State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What a brutal loss it was for last week\u2019s Group of Five<\/a> Underdog of the Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After East Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead, the Pirates let Liberty storm back for a 35-24 win. The Pirates\u2019 defense just could not get off the field in the second half, and Liberty took the lead on a 16-play drive where it converted five third downs. The Flames went on to score on their next possession with under two minutes left to cover the spread. College football betting odds<\/a> had ECU as a 6.5-point underdog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Quinton Cooley needed was a first down to ice the game, but instead he found the end zone from 21 yards out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must move on, though. Here is this week\u2019s G5 Underdog of the Week.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Northern Illinois (Spread +7, Moneyline +220) at North Carolina State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I faded the Huskies last week against Buffalo thinking it would be a let down spot following the big win at Notre Dame. I didn\u2019t expect them to lose, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m still unsure how the Bulls managed to put up 23 points on 184 total yards while going 2 for 15 on third down, but they did enough down the stretch to come away with the win and knock NIU out of the Associated Press Top 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I imagine the Huskies are irritated about that loss and eager to get another taste of a Power Four victory this week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIU\u2019s defense has been stout all season and leads the MAC<\/a> in scoring defense, allowing 17.3 points per game. The Huskies also allow only 256 total yards per game. NC State starting quarterback Grayson McCall is injured and missed last week\u2019s loss to Clemson. True freshman CJ Bailey stepped in and performed OK, but a lot of his production came when the game was already out of reach. I think NIU\u2019s defense can limit Bailey and this offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wolfpack also struggle against the run, which is an area where the Huskies excel. NC State is giving up 170 rushing YPG, and NIU is averaging 222 yards on the ground. NIU\u2019s offensive line should match up well with NC State\u2019s defensive line and keep a clean pocket for NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton, who has also been very efficient on the season. The Huskies haven\u2019t given up a sack this year, and NC State has gotten to the quarterback just four times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NC State ranks last in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing 37.8 points per game, and its 417 YPG allowed rank second-to-last. I expect NIU\u2019s offense to put some points on the board and its defense to continue its strong start to the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIU is 5-1 as a road underdog the past two seasons and has beaten its last two ACC opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n

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