Northern Illinois and Notre Dame college football pick this one here on Saturday Northern Illinois 1 and0 after their 54-5 home win to FCS Western Illinois the Huskies finished at s and six in 2023 for head coach Thomas hammock entering his six season they returned eight starters on offense and defense NIU averaged 26 points a game last year 5.3 yards per rush and completed only 57% of their passes with 6.6 yards per pass attempt defensively the huskys held opponents to 21 points per game game 4.3 yards per Rush opponents completed only 56% of their passes with 6.3 yards per pass attempt they do return their top rushers top receivers along with four from the offensive line Ethan Hampton is a starting quarterback he has seen limited action the past three seasons in a backup role he has a career 58% completion rate 5.9 yards per pass dep he had a strong performance in the opener against FCS opponents Notre Dame one to0 after their 23- 13 row win at T&M find IR put up 356 yards 198 rushing for 5.8 yards per run they had a plus two turnover margin on defense nor Dame held the agies to 246 yards 100 passing yards 3.3 yards per pass attempt Riley Leonard hit 18 of 3458 yards 5.3 yards for pass attemp he rushed for 63 yards nordan's physicality on the offensive line will open plays in the running game as they average 5.8 yards per Rush on an SEC defense on the road captain's efficient work for the Huskies in the opener encouraging uh to their chances of getting some points up on the board play Northern Illinois and norre Dame over 45