Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Broc Lowry throws a pass during an NCAA football game against the North Texas Mean Green at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Western Michigan Broncos (6-4, 5-1 MAC) face the Northern Illinois Huskies (3-7, 2-4) in Mid-American Conference action Tuesday. Kickoff from Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Broncos covered as 1-point home favorites in a 17-13 victory over Ohio last week. QB Broc Lowry was 9-for-14 for 126 yards, 0 TDs and 0 INTs, while rushing 18 times for 92 yards and a score. WMU has won 6 of 7 with the only blemish Oct. 25 in a 26-17 loss at Miami (Ohio) as a 2-point dog. The Broncos own a 1-game lead atop the MAC -- 5 teams are tied with a 4-2 MAC record.

The Huskies have found their howl, to a degree, winners of 2 of 3 after losing 6 straight. They took down UMass last week 45-3 as 9-point road favorites. They've been running without starting QB Josh Holst, who is questionable for this one. QBs Brady Davidson and Jalen Macon combined to go 6-for-8 for 115 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs. Macon rushed 12 times for 98 yards and 3 TDs. As a team, the Huskies rushed 55 times for 318 yards.

NIU has won 3 straight meetings vs. WMU, including last season's 42-28 victory as 2-point favorites Nov. 6, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Watch NCAA football on Fubo!

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:33 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Western Michigan -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Northern Illinois +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan -6.5 (-115) | Northern Illinois +6.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Western Michigan 27, Northern Illinois 17

Moneyline

On paper, it looks like these teams are inept in the aerial game, but Lowry has actually been able to move it in the air. He has completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,440 yards, 7 TDs and just 1 INT. He threw for 241 yards in a 42-0 home rout of Ball State Oct. 11. That element is the difference for me vs. NIU. However, at -250, there's no reasonable play here. Instead, I'd go with BROC LOWRY OVER 144.5 PASSING YARDS (-115). He has hit this number in 5 of his last 6 games.

Against the spread

WMU is 7-3 ATS this season and 3-0 in the last 3 games the spread was at least 6.5. NIU is rather limited in what it can do offensively.

Give me WESTERN MICHIGAN -6.5 (-115).

Over/Under

These teams get after it against one another with an average of 51.8 points in the last 5 meetings. WMU is 2-1 O/U in its last 3 games, and NIU has cashed 3 of 4 Overs.

Take OVER 38.5 (-115).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting

This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Western Michigan Broncos at Northern Illinois Huskies odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Ryan Dodson, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect