Northern Illinois vs Fresno State Bowl Prediction | College Football Best Bets

On Monday, the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Fresno State Bulldogs are set to battle it out in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. NIU enters this matchup with a 7-5 record that includes an upset win over Notre Dame early in the season. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs sit at 6-6, looking to grab a win to end their season over the .500 mark. That said, expect a dogfight between two teams that want to end their respective seasons on a high note.

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NIU vs. Fresno State

• Location: Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho) | Time: 2:30 PM ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN
• Spread: NIU -2.5, Moneyline: NIU -144, Total: 40.5

NIU vs. Fresno State Best Bet: NIU -2.5

NIU has impressed throughout their season despite the 7-5 record. The Huskies have proven to be a well-coached roster with underrated talent. Against a Bulldogs team who barely managed to clinch bowl eligibility, it wouldn’t be a shock to see NIU win this game handily. Considering the -2.5-point spread, the Huskies should easily win this game by three or more points.

NIU vs. Fresno State Best Total Bet: Over 40.5

Fresno State enters this matchup, averaging 26.6 points per game, while the Huskies trail just behind, averaging 24.3 points per contest. Both squads have the firepower to put up points, and in their last game of the season, it’s safe to assume each team will be aggressive on offense. All things considered, a final score of 27-17 seems like a realistic outcome.

NIU Best Player Bet: Telly Johnson Jr. 80+ Rushing Yards +102

Telly Johnson Jr. hasn’t had many opportunities in his freshman season, but when he has had a chance to make plays, the talented running back has fully displayed what he has to offer. Averaging five yards per carry heading into this matchup, with an increased workload, Johnson Jr. has a good chance to end the season with a breakout game. The running back has exceeded 80+ rushing yards in three of the Huskies’ last four games.

Fresno State Best Player Bet: Elijah Gilliam Any Time Touchdown +210

Elijah Gilliam has been the workhorse for the Bulldogs in the backfield this season, and although Fresno State’s running game hasn’t looked the best, Gilliam has gotten his fair amount of red zone touches this season. With eight touchdowns heading into this matchup, the Bulldogs could look to feed their backfield against a Northern Illinois defense that has shown success in shutting down the passing game for opposing offenses.