BEST LINES:  Pinnacle +208 BET 365 +200 SportsInteraction +200 5DIMES +200

Posted at 12:30 PM EST.

7:00 PM EST. Last week, the Huskies journeyed out to Provo, Utah and upset the Cougars of Brigham Young on BYU’s soil as a 6½-point dog. Given the acumen of BYU as a whole this season, combined with NIU’s performance portfolio against teams outside of the Mid-American Conference in its 2018 campaign, this would be classified as a resounding upset. This week we can take advantage of the public’s reaction among other things, as we have seen the Huskies undergo a 12½-point swing from last week to this week. This position by the market further reinforces the notion of an overreaction taking shape. When you factor in that Northern Illinois is on a four-game winning streak and regarded as one of the kings of the MAC, the propensity and fanfare is that much greater.

By contrast, when the name Akron Zips is mentioned, there a few who shutter at the thought of the Kangaroo Kids. However, this is not a team that you want to take lightly by any means. Earlier this season, the Zips stormed into Evanston, Illinois and handed the Northwestern Wildcats a loss on their own soil in a 39-34 shootout as a 21½-point pooch. That same Northwestern team that just beat Wisconsin, upset Michigan State on their own turf earlier this season, and also had Michigan on the ropes. The ‘Roos would follow that up at Iowa State by hanging around late into the fourth quarter before the Cyclones would pull away. However, Akron fell off the radar after undergoing ugly losses to Miami Ohio and Buffalo afterward. Since then, Akron has rattled off two straight and a win here gets Akron closer to bowl eligibility. It would also be a landmark win for the program, as the Zips have not defeated Northern Illinois since 2005. We like their chances here.

This will be Northern Illinois’ third road game in four weeks and moreover, the Huskies have to travel 1,766 miles back to play this game on five day’s rest against a football team that has not left the state of Ohio in 18 days. That alone provides a significant edge to the Zips, as the Huskies figure to be flat by travel fatigue and the wear and tear of playing on five days rest. Now factor in the hangover for NIU after the big win at BYU, and the possibility for a sub-par effort becomes even greater. If things were perfect for the chalk here, this would still not be an easy out but things are far from perfect ----that is, unless you’re the Zips, who are in a favorable and perfect spot to pull off the upset. Zips outright is the call.

Open an account today at and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.