Bowl Game Prediction – Northern Illinois Against Fresno State

The uDrove Humanitarian Bowl is my featured bowl game prediction for the opening weekend of the college football postseason.

Northern Illinois Huskies (10-3) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (8-4)
5:30 PM ET, December 18, 2010
Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID
Broadcast: ESPN

Bowl Game Predictions
Northern Illinois -1.5
Fresno State +1.5
Total 57.5

Before dropping the MAC championship game 26-21 against Miami (OH) in their final game of the year, the Northern Illinois Huskies hadn’t lost since September 18th against the Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Huskies rushed for an average of 264.8 yards per game (7th in the nation) and their defense surrendered just 19.1 points per contest good for 16th in the country.

Senior running back Chad Spann has put together two strong seasons in succession. Spann has accumulated 2,331 yards and 40 touchdowns during that time, and it will be a tall order for the Bulldogs defense to contain him.

Fresno State gives up an average of 29.2 points a game and showed their weaknesses against the run in their final game of the year - which happened to be against Illinois.

The Fighting Illini torched Fresno State for 318 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

On two weeks rest, I expect Spann to run all over the Bulldogs. I think this Smurf Turf game obviously favors the Huskies.

Bowl Game Predictions – Northern Illinois (-1.5)

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