Illinois State vs Northern Illinois Picks and Prediction for Saturday September 12 2026

The Illinois State Redbirds travel to Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, to face the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on Mountain West+. Illinois State enters at 2-0 after routing Western Illinois 41-10, while Northern Illinois is 0-1 following a 40-0 loss at No. 22 Iowa. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Before placing your wagers, check out our free college football picks for more predictions throughout the season.

Illinois State Looks Ready for an FBS Test

No. 4 Illinois State has started its season impressively and dominated Western Illinois from the opening quarter in a 41-10 victory. The Redbirds produced 496 total yards, including 257 through the air and 239 on the ground, while limiting Western Illinois to only 52 rushing yards.

Illinois State used multiple quarterbacks effectively. Gage Roy completed 8 of 13 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Beckham Pellant threw for 132 yards and another score. Victor Dawson rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns, and the Redbirds converted an outstanding 11 of 16 third downs.

This is obviously a step up in competition, but Illinois State has the offensive balance necessary to challenge Northern Illinois. The Redbirds are also coming into DeKalb with considerably more momentum than an NIU team that struggled badly in its opener.

Northern Illinois Searches for Offense

Northern Illinois opened the season with a brutal assignment at No. 22 Iowa and was shut out 40-0. The Huskies trailed 33-0 at halftime and finished with just 120 total yards, including only seven rushing yards.

Taron Dickens completed 9 of 19 passes for 96 yards with an interception, while NIU finished with seven first downs and converted just three of 15 third downs. The Huskies' defense improved after halftime, holding Iowa to 135 second-half yards and forcing two turnovers, but the offense never generated enough production to threaten.

Northern Illinois now gets a significant reduction in competition, but Illinois State isn't an ordinary FCS opponent. The Redbirds are nationally ranked and just produced nearly 500 yards while controlling both lines of scrimmage against Western Illinois.

Illinois St. vs Northern Illinois Picks and Prediction

Pick: Illinois State +3.5 or Better

With no dependable conventional spread available yet, Illinois State +3.5 or better is my target. Northern Illinois deserves some respect for facing Iowa on the road, but producing 120 yards and seven rushing yards is difficult to ignore. Illinois State has already demonstrated balance, efficiency and defensive strength through two games. If sportsbooks make NIU more than a field-goal favorite based primarily on FBS status and home field, I'll gladly take the points with the Redbirds.

Pick: Under 45.5

The Under 45.5 is my preferred target. Northern Illinois didn't score in its opener and averaged fewer than two yards per offensive play, while Illinois State's defense just limited Western Illinois to 10 points and 52 rushing yards. NIU should perform better at home, but I'm not ready to assume its offense suddenly becomes explosive. Take the Under if the total is set at 45.5 or higher.

Final Picks: Illinois State +3.5 or better and Under 45.5 or higher