Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Fresno State Bulldogs 12/23/24 – The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl brings together two teams with the same record of 7 wins and 5 losses, the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Northern Illinois Huskies, suggesting a close contest in this match. Both teams are motivated by the prospect of ending their respective seasons on a high at the Albertsons Stadium, and this only adds to this bowl’s matchup. Will experience help Northern Illinois win the match, or Northern Illinois’s December performance be enough for Fresno State to win the match?
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Fresno State Bulldogs 12/23/24
| When: | Monday, December 23, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Albertsons Stadium, Idaho |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huskies | -3.5 | Over 39.5 (-115) | -170 |  |
| Bulldogs | +3.5 | Under 39.5 (-105) | +145 | |
| ||||
GET ON 🆙 It’s GAMEDAY HUSKIES‼️🥔🏔️
vs. Fresno State 🐶 | 1:30CT ⏰ | ESPN 📺#SOAR | #TheHardWay 🤘🏽🐾 pic.twitter.com/FkqpsztxCK
— NIU Football (@NIU_Football) December 23, 2024
The Huskies enter as narrow favorites, laying 3.5 points, with a modest total of 39.5 reflecting expectations for a defensive battle. Fresno State’s December success and their underdog status offer enticing value, but Northern Illinois’ strong SU record this season supports their edge. Bettors may find opportunities in the total, with Fresno’s defensive prowess pointing toward the UNDER.
Ethan Hampton QB vs. Mikey Keene QB
Ethan Hampton had a good season so far as he led the Huskies in literally every way possible, having racked up 1,600 yards through the air as well as scoring 12 touchdowns while maintaining a 58.3 percent completion rate. He was not pressured too much at the time, as he managed to throw an 83-yard pass, but he did throw six interceptions and was sacked 13 times, which does show some flaws. Now, to better explain Hampton, he is very fast in making decisions, which means that he would have to make them quickly in order to go against Fresno State’s successful defense.
Mikey Keene is indeed what one would call the “core” of Fresno State, as he not only passed the ball countless times but he also commanded great accuracy, as shown by his 2,892 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 70.5 percent completion rate. However, Keene has struggled a little and has been sacked around 25 times, which ironically doesn’t hamper his efforts as he still has a passer rating of 141.8 and dominates the field. For Fresno, the offense depends on the rhythm created by Keene and also on the deep passes thrown to WR Mac Dalena.
Northern Illinois Seeks Offensive Consistency
The last game played by the Huskies was a victory over Central Michigan, which ended in a score of 24-16, thus making their last five matches three wins and two losses. Against both Akron and Western Michigan, Gavin starred with his decisive runs that have now taken his season total to 741 rushing yards. WR Trayvon Rudolph is a welcome addition and has room to grow, with only a single touchdown catch for the season. The Huskies’ attack will have to be sharp to solve the problems imposed by Fresno’s defense.
Fresno State Banking on December Momentum
Fresno State has hardly been a consistent side as they have managed to win two and lose two in their last four matches, winning only narrowly against a bottom team Colorado State, in their last game, 28-22. RB Elijah Gilliam has been useful in the red zone with eight rushing touchdowns, but his average of three point nine yards per carry is underwhelming. The wide receiver position is in good shape as WR Mac Dalena has registered 947 yards and eight touchdowns which gives the much-needed confidence to the team in the clutch moments.
Trends
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends
1-5 ATS in last 6 games
10-5 SU in last 15 games
OVER in 7 of last 7 games vs. Mountain West opponents
2-8 SU in last 10 December games
Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Trends
UNDER in 5 of last 7 games
OVER in 4 of last 5 games vs. MAC opponents
4-1 SU in last 5 December games
1-5 SU in last 6 games as underdogs
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Prediction
These two teams have different styles taking on this game – Fresno relies on air attack, while Northern Illinois has a well-balanced offense. In December, Northern Illinois has not played particularly well, while Fresno State has played well in this month during the past seasons. This gives a slight edge to the Bulldogs covering the spread. Overall, it will be an evenly matched game where scoring won’t come easily to the players.
Considering the average scoring shown by Northern Illinois and the discipline held shown by the Fresno State offense, the UNDER 39.5 looks favorable. You can also look at prop bets for Stetson Bennett and Gavin Williams on passing yards or rushing attempts, respectively.
Score Prediction: Fresno State Bulldogs 20, Northern Illinois Huskies 17.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 23, 2024
Last updated: March 28, 2025