Nevada Favored by 7.5 Points at Winless Northern Illinois
Nevada (3-5) was set to visit winless Northern Illinois (0-9) at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, as a 7.5-point favorite. Columnist Chris Murray picked the Wolf Pack 30-20 but warned a loss would be damaging, pointing to the Huskies' league-worst third-down defense and receiver DeAree Rogers.
Nevada, 3-5 this season, was set to visit winless Northern Illinois (0-9) at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time, installed as a 7.5-point favorite. The nevada vs northern il matchup carries a total of 47.5 points.
Northern Illinois is the only winless team in the FBS, the top level of college football. Nevada is 2-2 in conference play. The Huskies are 0-5.
Chris Murray, a Nevada Sports Net columnist and on-air host, picked the Wolf Pack to win 30-20. He also warned the game could be close.
Why Nevada's run game matters
Nevada's ground attack has stalled. The Wolf Pack have run for 266 yards over their last four games, or 66.5 yards per game.
Three of those four opponents rank in the top eight nationally in scoring defense. Northern Illinois allows 203.9 rushing yards per game, and only seven FBS teams have been worse.
Murray expects Nevada to use a tight end more often. The team had moved to a spread approach after starter TJ DJ Asiasi suffered a season-ending injury last month.
The passing game needs the help. It ranks last in the nation in efficiency, with 12 interceptions against eight touchdowns.
Third downs and DeAree Rogers
The Huskies allow opponents to convert 54.4 percent of third downs, the worst rate in the nation. Nevada's offense converts 35.4 percent, which ranks 105th.
Nevada went 2-of-15 on third down against New Mexico. The week before, it was 5-of-16 against UCLA. The Wolf Pack have scored three points over their last two games.
Northern Illinois has been better on offense lately. It has averaged 21.8 points per game over its last four contests, after 9.5 in its first four against FBS opponents.
Receiver DeAree Rogers leads the conference with 70 catches and 719 receiving yards, and has five touchdowns. Murray described the former Division II player, listed at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, as the Huskies' best player and top target for quarterback Taron Dickens.
Nevada will be without starting cornerback Bryson Snelling, who has a hand injury.
Northern Illinois lost 7 points at UNLV and 11 at SJSU in its last two games. It also lost to an FCS team, as did Nevada.
The teams are tied 1-1 all-time. Nevada won the last meeting 35-31 on Oct. 1, 1994, also in DeKalb.
Murray was blunt about the stakes: "If Nevada loses this game, it should cancel the remainder of the 2026 season."
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