No. 23 Northern Illinois has been the talk of the town since their stunning victory over Notre Dame in South Bend two weeks ago. After a week off, they’re ready to host conference rival Buffalo. Both teams are coming off dominant performances, with NIU’s upset stealing the spotlight.
Can America’s darling maintain their momentum after the bye week and one of the biggest upsets in college football history? Let’s get into it!
NIU LEADS NOTRE DAME WITH 31 SECONDS LEFT
MACTION!!!
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 7, 2024
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College football 2024: 7-9-1 (-3.51 Units)
Week 3 college football: 2-2-1 (-0.27 Units)
Buffalo vs #23 Northern Illinois Odds
Buffalo vs NIU odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Football games.
Can Buffalo rain on NIU’s parade?
Spread
Buffalo: +13.5 (-110)
NIU: -13.5 (-110)
Total
Over: 43.0 (-110)
Under: 43.0 (-110)
Moneyline
Buffalo:+410
NIU: -515
Get 50% up to $1,000 on your 2024 college football futures picks today at BetOnline
Buffalo vs #23 Northern Illinois Predictions
The Stank:
Northern Illinois is fresh off one of the biggest upsets in college football history, defeating then #5 Notre Dame in South Bend as 28-point underdogs. Upsets like this are a big reason we love collegiate sports.
However, such victories come with a cost, and this ties into one of my favorite theories: this marks the second time this season that a coach has cried after a win. The first was Illinois head coach Bret Bielema following the victory over Kansas. So far, “fading the tears” this season is 0-0-1, as we pushed with Central Michigan last week.
NIU head coach Thomas Hammock delivered an emotional post-game speech and has since been on a media tour to promote the Huskies. I respect his efforts; as a small school in a non-Power Five conference, they need all the exposure they can get. But the question remains: is this Huskies team truly ready for Buffalo on Saturday? Only time will tell.
“They believed. And we came here and got it done.”
Thomas Hammock played at Northern Illinois.
Hammock has been the head coach at his alma mater since 2019.
The emotion simply pours out after NIU upsets Notre Dame.
College football is the best. pic.twitter.com/Wp00FYpuxc
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) September 7, 2024
Let’s not underestimate Buffalo. This team has already faced tough competition, losing 38-0 to then-#9 Missouri as 32-point underdogs. Now, they’re going up against a team riding high after a monumental win, which raises the potential for a hangover effect. However, Hammock, as a former player, understands the impact of such victories, though it can still be challenging to maintain that momentum.
Buffalo is 2-1 straight up and against the spread this season, coming off a dominant 34-3 victory over UMass as three-point favorites. I have had this game circled since NIU’s upset of Notre Dame.
Give me the points!
Prediction: NIU Wins
Best Bet: Buffalo (+13.5) on BetOnline
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