FBS-CFB Game Preview: Western Michigan Broncos (6-4) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (3-7)

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Venue & Event Details

Location: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, Illinois

Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN2

Weather Forecast

Temperature: Mid-40s °F at kickoff, dropping into upper 30s by late evening

Conditions: Cloudy skies, winds 10–15 mph

Impact: Passing efficiency may dip; run-heavy offenses favored

Injury Report

Western Michigan: QB Broc Lowry (healthy, expected starter); RB Jalen Buckley (probable, minor ankle soreness).

Northern Illinois: QB Jalen Macon (healthy, coming off 98 rushing yards vs UMass); RB Chavon Wright (healthy, 86 yards last week).

Key Player Matchups

QB Broc Lowry (WMU): Dual-threat, 6 TDs and 0 INTs in last six games vs NIU defense allowing 4.2 yards per rush.

RB Jalen Buckley (WMU): 82 yards, 1 TD vs Ohio last week; faces NIU front that allowed 86 yards to Wright but struggled earlier in season.

QB Jalen Macon (NIU): 73 passing yards, 98 rushing yards, 3 TDs vs UMass; must solve WMU defense ranked 15th nationally in pass defense.

Recent Team Forms

Western Michigan: Beat Ohio 17–13 on Nov. 11; defense held Bobcats to 13 points.

Northern Illinois: Routed UMass 45–3 on Nov. 11; Macon and Wright combined for 184 rushing yards, 4 TDs.

Series History

Last 4 meetings: NIU has won 3 of 4, outscoring WMU 111–91.

Recent trend: NIU has covered 3 of last 4 spreads vs WMU.

Betting Trends:

WMU is 7–3 ATS this season.

NIU is 3–7 ATS this season.

Unders have hit in 6 of WMU’s last 8 games.

Historical Betting Results

WMU has covered in 7 of 10 games this season.

NIU has failed to cover in 7 of 10 games.

Head-to-head: NIU has covered 3 of last 4 vs WMU.

Projected Score: Western Michigan 23 – Northern Illinois 14

Game Odds

Western Michigan Broncos          – 7.5

Northern Illinois Huskies              39.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, November 17, 2025