Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-6) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (6-6)
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois December 23, 2023 – The NCAAF Camellia Bowl is set to showcase an intriguing matchup between the Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Northern Illinois Huskies, both holding an even 6-6 record. As football enthusiasts and bettors look for NCAAF bowl winning picks, this game, scheduled for Saturday offers a compelling narrative of resilience and determination from both teams.
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois December 23, 2023 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Cramton Bowl |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jaylen Raynor QB vs. Rocky Lombardi QB
Jaylen Raynor has put together a solid 2023 campaign for the Red Wolves, completing 150 of 255 passes (58.8%) for 2,300 yards with 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, good for a 149.3 passer rating. The sophomore has shown composure in the pocket and the ability to stretch the field with his big arm. However, he has struggled with consistency at times. If Raynor can limit turnovers and keep drives alive on 3rd downs, Arkansas State’s offense could find success against the Huskies defense.
Meanwhile, Rocky Lombardi has been a steady presence for Northern Illinois this season. The senior signal-caller has completed 171 of 298 passes (57.4%) for 2,074 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 picks for a 123.6 rating. Lombardi brings veteran leadership and mobility to quickly escape pressure. But he doesn’t take many chances downfield. Lombardi will need to take shots to soften the Red Wolves defense for NIU to pull off the upset.
Arkansas State’s Offensive Playmakers: Cross and Jackson
The Red Wolves offense does not solely depend on Raynor. Running back Ja’Quez Cross and wide receiver Courtney Jackson play key roles. Cross has amassed 688 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while Jackson has provided reliable targets for Raynor to use against Huskies’ defense. Their performances will play an instrumental role in breaking them down.
Northern Illinois’ Key Offense: Brown and Rudolph
Northern Illinois counters with their own arsenal of offensive weapons. Running back Antario Brown boasts 1164 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, while Trayvon Rudolph contributes with 499 receiving yards and two touchdowns via air attack. These players will help Northern Illinois challenge Red Wolves defense while keeping offensive momentum rolling forward.
NCAAF Betting Odds: Arkansas State Red Wolves -113, Over/Under: 53.5
The betting odds are tightly poised with Arkansas State slightly favored. The over/under set at 53.5 points indicates expectations for a relatively high-scoring game, reflecting both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Trends
Arkansas State are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arkansas State’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Mid-American conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arkansas State’s last 7 games played in December.
Arkansas State are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games played on a Saturday.
Red Wolves are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing as the favourite.
Arkansas State are 3-17 SU in their last 20 games played on a Saturday when playing on the road.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends
Northern Illinois are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Northern Illinois’ last 6 games.
Northern Illinois are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
Northern Illinois are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games played in December.
Huskies are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played on a Saturday.
Northern Illinois are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games when playing as the underdog.
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois Betting Picks
Analyzing both teams’ performance and betting trends, this matchup appears evenly matched. Arkansas State’s slight edge in the odds could be attributed to their balanced offensive and defensive play. However, Northern Illinois’ resilience, especially as underdogs, should not be underestimated.
For bettors, considering the close spread and over/under, this game might offer value in prop bets or live betting scenarios. The key will be to monitor how each team adapts to the game’s flow, particularly in the second half.
In the realm of top sportsbook in USA, this game presents a unique opportunity for both seasoned bettors and novices, given the evenly matched nature of the teams.
Receiving Yards Prop: Arkansas State 27, Northern Illinois 24.
