Air Force vs Northern Illinois Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 10 2026
The Air Force Falcons will look to keep their momentum going when they visit the Northern Illinois Huskies. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday October 10th at 7:30 pm EST and CBSSN will broadcast the game. Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL will be the setting. Odds makers have made Air Force a 7.5 point favorite and the total is set at 46.5. Stay on top of the college football season with our free college football predictions.
Air Force Pointed in the Right Direction
The Air Force Falcons have endured consecutive losing seasons, but veteran head coach Troy Calhoun has things turned around. The Falcons (3-1) have split their two Mountain West Conference games, with the loss coming versus North Dakota State by a 38-32 final score. Last week, Air Force moved closer to securing the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy with a 14-9 home victory versus Navy.
Air Force jumped on the scoreboard first, when QB Liam Szarka capped a 14-play 65-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Szarka added an eight-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining in the first half. Szarka was intercepted twice, but finished with a game-high 81 rushing yards. The Falcons converted half of their 18 third-down attempts and went 2-for-3 on fourth down tries.
Air Force ranks second nationally in rushing offense (297.3 ypg) and averages 29 points per game. The Falcons have made 17 trips into the red zone and have failed to score just once. Air Force finished near the bottom of the Mountain West Conference in total defense a season ago, but are currently third in that category.
Northern Illinois in Search of Their First Victory
After plenty of success in the MAC Conference, the Northern Illinois Huskies accepted an invitation to the Mountain West Conference. The Huskies (0-4) have posted 11 winning records in the last 15 seasons and rank among the top 30 nationally in victories over that span. Northern Illinois started the 2026 campaign with a 40-point loss at Iowa and have scored more than 20 points just once.
Two weeks ago, Northern Illinois failed to score in the second half and committed a pair of turnovers during a 35-14 road loss against Georgia State. Western Carolina transfer QB Taron Dickens completed 28 of 42 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown. Junior RB Telly Johnson Jr. added 85 rushing yards and a score for the Huskies, who amassed 432 yards of total offense.
Northern Illinois is very reliant on their passing game and rank last in the conference in rushing offense (79,3 ypg). The Huskies possess the worst red zone offense in the country, scoring on just four out of ten opportunities. Northern Illinois has forced six turnovers this season, but are surrendering 36.3 points per contest.
Air Force vs Northern Illinois Picks and Prediction
Pick: Northern Illinois +7.5
Air Force QB Liam Szarka suffered a lower leg injury against Navy and will miss the remainder of the season. The Falcons were so reliant on Szarka’s dual-threat ability and it will be extremely difficult to replace that production in one week. Northern Illinois is off a bye and has a talented quarterback that can make things interesting. Take the points and sprinkle a little on the money line with the home underdog.
Pick: Under 46.5
Weather conditions should be good in DeKalb. The forecast calls for a cloudy 73 degree day with eight mph winds. Air Force ranks 100th nationally in seconds per play and Northern Illinois is in the top 50 in that category. The Falcons will control the clock with their backup quarterback and this game will stay under the total.