Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State Prediction — AI Finds CAN'T MISS CFB Lines & Props (Sep 20)
Updated: 2025-09-13T02:28:40.156150ZBy Remi at Leans.AI — AI picks for ATS, ML, OU & props
Mississippi State comes in 2-0, having narrowly upset No. 12 Arizona State and opening strong at home, while Northern Illinois enters at 1-1 after splitting its first two games and now faces a Power Five road test. The Bulldogs are expected to be solid favorites, with bettors anticipating they’ll need to be wary of Northern Illinois’ history of pulling off surprises and playing physical on both sides of the ball.
Get key insights, betting trends, and AI-powered predictions to help incorporate into your betting strategies.
GAME INFO
Date: Sep 20, 2025
Start Time: 4:15 PM EST
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field
Bulldogs Record: (3-0)
Huskies Record: (1-1)
OPENING ODDS
NILL Moneyline: +1078
MISSST Moneyline: -2174
NILL Spread: +21.5
MISSST Spread: -21.5
Over/Under: 49.5
NILL
Betting Trends
- Northern Illinois is 1-1 ATS so far in 2025; in road games they’ve shown some ability to keep it close, notably in their opener vs. Maryland and in other games where they weren’t heavily favored. Their road vs. spread record indicates that while wins are harder to come by, they tend to outperform expectations when matched up as underdogs.
MISSST
Betting Trends
- Mississippi State is also 2-0 ATS to start the season. Their wins over Southern Miss and Arizona State both came with them being favored by meaningful spreads, and they have covered those lines. Their offense has done enough and the defense has made key plays in presumably tight moments, giving confidence to those backing them at home.
MATCHUP TRENDS
- The betting market is showing that Mississippi State is favored by a comfortable margin, but not overwhelmingly — the spread leaves room for Northern Illinois to cover, especially if there are turnovers or MSU is sloppy. The Over/Under is expected to be moderate-high, reflecting expectations that MSU will score and NIU could find some offensive moments. Northern Illinois’ ability to upset in Power Five matchups in past seasons gives underdog value appeal, while Mississippi State’s trend of covering early gives confidence to home‐backers. Also notable is that Northern Illinois has seen totals go under in its recent games, which might make the Over attractive for this matchup if bettors believe Mississippi State will push a fast pace.
NILL vs. MISSST
Best Prop Bet
- Remi's searched hard and found the best prop for this matchup: C. Wright over 46.5 Rushing Yards.
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Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State Prediction & Odds:
Free CFB Betting Insights for 9/20/25
The September 20, 2025, matchup between the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville sets up as a classic early-season clash between a Group of Five program with a history of punching above its weight and an SEC team looking to maintain momentum and prove itself against an opponent it is expected to handle. Mississippi State enters undefeated at 2-0, including an impressive win over No. 12 Arizona State that showcased their ability to compete against ranked opposition, while Northern Illinois sits at 1-1 and is trying to build on the foundation of toughness and resiliency that has defined the program for years. For Mississippi State, the keys are straightforward: establish dominance in the trenches, use their superior athleticism to create mismatches, and avoid the complacency that can sometimes creep in during nonconference games against smaller programs. Their offense has shown balance through the first two weeks, with the quarterback effectively spreading the ball to multiple receivers and the running game providing consistency, while the defense has generated timely stops and turnovers that allowed them to outlast Arizona State in a close game. Northern Illinois will be tasked with matching Mississippi State’s physicality at the line of scrimmage, leaning on a ground attack that can control tempo and a passing game that must make the most of limited opportunities.
The Huskies are no strangers to facing Power Five opponents on the road and have occasionally pulled off upsets by forcing turnovers, stealing momentum on special teams, and playing mistake-free football, but their margin for error is razor-thin against a Bulldogs team that thrives when it gets rolling early. The betting market reflects this dynamic, with Mississippi State favored by multiple scores, but Northern Illinois has a track record of outperforming expectations as an underdog, especially when their defense holds firm early and keeps the score manageable. The Over/Under points line suggests oddsmakers expect Mississippi State to control scoring, but NIU’s chances of covering hinge on their ability to sustain long drives and avoid three-and-outs that would give the Bulldogs too many possessions. Ultimately, this matchup should be about Mississippi State proving consistency and building depth, while Northern Illinois aims to show resilience and competitiveness. If Mississippi State starts fast, capitalizes on their home-field advantage, and plays with the same edge that earned them a win over a ranked opponent, they should cruise to victory and cover the spread. If they falter or overlook the Huskies, NIU has the grit and opportunism to hang around longer than expected, though an outright upset would require a near-perfect performance. This game is less about whether Mississippi State will win and more about whether Northern Illinois can make them sweat and whether the Bulldogs can show the dominance that SEC contenders are expected to display against smaller-conference foes.
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Weekend work. Gameday intensity. 😤#HuntForOne 🦴 | #TheHardWay 🤘 pic.twitter.com/z0r1iJmsWS
— NIU Football (@NIU_Football) September 14, 2025
Northern Illinois Huskies CFB Preview
The Northern Illinois Huskies enter their September 20, 2025, road matchup against Mississippi State as heavy underdogs, but they are no strangers to taking on Power Five opponents and will see this as another opportunity to prove their mettle on a big stage. At 1-1, the Huskies have already shown flashes of what makes them a dangerous underdog, combining a hard-nosed running game with a defense that can create problems when it plays disciplined, gap-sound football. Their offensive identity revolves around establishing the ground attack early, chewing up clock, and keeping games within striking distance by limiting possessions, and against Mississippi State, that formula will be critical if they want to prevent the Bulldogs from overwhelming them with superior speed and depth. The Huskies’ quarterback will be asked to make smart, timely throws, taking what the defense gives him and avoiding the costly turnovers that could turn a close game into a rout, while the offensive line must play its best game of the season to withstand the pressure from an SEC-caliber front seven.
On defense, Northern Illinois will look to keep everything in front of them, forcing Mississippi State to sustain long drives and hoping to create turnovers in the red zone, while their secondary will be tested against a passing game that has shown the ability to stretch the field. Special teams may also prove vital, as flipping field position and potentially generating a big return or block could provide the kind of momentum swing an underdog needs in a hostile environment. From a betting perspective, Northern Illinois has historically performed better against the spread as a road underdog than many expect, and their gritty style of play often lends itself to closer margins if they avoid early mistakes. Their path to success will hinge on starting fast, staying disciplined, and not allowing Mississippi State to build confidence or take control of the tempo, particularly in the first half. While an outright win would be a tall order given the disparity in talent and depth, the Huskies can absolutely play themselves into a competitive contest if they stick to their identity, control the clock, and capitalize on any Bulldogs miscues. For Northern Illinois, this is less about shocking the college football world and more about demonstrating their toughness, showing recruits and fans alike that they are capable of standing toe-to-toe with SEC opponents, and gaining confidence heading into the heart of their MAC schedule.
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
Mississippi State Bulldogs CFB Preview
The Mississippi State Bulldogs return to Davis Wade Stadium on September 20, 2025, with confidence and momentum as they prepare to host Northern Illinois in a nonconference clash that is expected to test their consistency more than their talent. Sitting at 2-0 after an impressive early-season win over Arizona State, the Bulldogs have already shown the kind of resilience and execution that head coach Jeff Lebby wants to define his program, and this matchup provides a prime opportunity to fine-tune before heading into the grind of SEC play. Offensively, Mississippi State has found balance behind a steady quarterback who has distributed the ball effectively, a rushing attack that has controlled tempo, and an offensive line that has both protected well and created lanes against quality competition. Against Northern Illinois, the Bulldogs’ offense will look to set the tone early, striking with quick scoring drives to prevent the Huskies from gaining confidence and attempting to control the pace of the game with their run-heavy approach. Defensively, Mississippi State has been opportunistic, forcing turnovers and tightening up in the red zone, and in this game they will be expected to overwhelm a Northern Illinois offensive line that lacks the depth and athleticism to consistently hold off SEC-caliber defenders.
Their defensive front should have opportunities to generate pressure, collapse the pocket, and force hurried throws, which could lead to mistakes that swing the game further in their favor. Special teams have been solid through two games, and in matchups like this, that consistency in field position and kicking execution can quietly extend the margin between the teams. From a betting perspective, Mississippi State has rewarded backers so far with a 2-0 ATS record, covering spreads even when expectations were high, and oddsmakers will again install them as significant favorites. To cover comfortably in this contest, the Bulldogs need to avoid complacency, stay sharp in execution, and not allow Northern Illinois to linger into the second half with long, clock-draining drives. The key will be translating their talent advantage into dominance on the field by maintaining focus in all three phases. Ultimately, Mississippi State has the depth, athleticism, and home-field advantage to handle this matchup decisively, and this game serves as an opportunity not only to improve to 3-0 but also to showcase that they can take care of business against teams they are expected to beat, something that strong SEC contenders must do consistently.
A Glimpse Of The Future#HailStatehttps://t.co/dMkr1QZUH1
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 14, 2025
Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State Prop Picks (AI)
AI algorithm Remi is pouring through mountains of data on each team. In fact, anytime the Huskies and Bulldogs play there’s always several intriguing angles to key in on. Not to mention games played at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Sep almost always follow normal, predictable betting trends.
Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State Prediction (AI)
Remi, our AI sports wizard, has been pouring over exorbitant amounts of data from every past game between the Huskies and Bulldogs and using recursive machine learning and kick-ass AI to boil down the data to a single cover probability.
Interestingly enough, the data has been most fixated on the trending factor human bettors tend to put on Northern Illinois’s strength factors between a Huskies team going up against a possibly healthy Bulldogs team. It appears the true game analytics might reflect a moderate lean against one Vegas line specifically.
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Below is our current AI Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State picks, computer picks Huskies vs Bulldogs, best bets, model edges, confidence ratings.
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DATE | GAME | LEAN | %WIN | UNITS | LEVEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE PICKS LOCKED - SEE NOW | ||||||
These picks update as information changes—injury reports, and market movement. Each line shows our model’s fair price, the edge versus the market, and a unit confidence rating (1–10). Odds and availability vary by sportsbook and time. Edges are computed against the listed price; value may change after line moves. Always shop for the best number. See the full CFB schedule.
Northern Illinois Betting Trends
Northern Illinois is 1-1 ATS so far in 2025; in road games they’ve shown some ability to keep it close, notably in their opener vs. Maryland and in other games where they weren’t heavily favored. Their road vs. spread record indicates that while wins are harder to come by, they tend to outperform expectations when matched up as underdogs.
Mississippi State Betting Trends
Mississippi State is also 2-0 ATS to start the season. Their wins over Southern Miss and Arizona State both came with them being favored by meaningful spreads, and they have covered those lines. Their offense has done enough and the defense has made key plays in presumably tight moments, giving confidence to those backing them at home.
Huskies vs. Bulldogs Matchup Trends
The betting market is showing that Mississippi State is favored by a comfortable margin, but not overwhelmingly — the spread leaves room for Northern Illinois to cover, especially if there are turnovers or MSU is sloppy. The Over/Under is expected to be moderate-high, reflecting expectations that MSU will score and NIU could find some offensive moments. Northern Illinois’ ability to upset in Power Five matchups in past seasons gives underdog value appeal, while Mississippi State’s trend of covering early gives confidence to home‐backers. Also notable is that Northern Illinois has seen totals go under in its recent games, which might make the Over attractive for this matchup if bettors believe Mississippi State will push a fast pace.
Northern Illinois vs. Mississippi State Game Info
Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State starts on September 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM EST.
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Spread: Mississippi State -21.5
Moneyline: Northern Illinois +1078, Mississippi State -2174
Over/Under: 49.5
Northern Illinois: (1-1) | Mississippi State: (3-0)
Remi's searched hard and found the best prop for this matchup: C. Wright over 46.5 Rushing Yards.. Prices move—always shop for the best number.
The betting market is showing that Mississippi State is favored by a comfortable margin, but not overwhelmingly — the spread leaves room for Northern Illinois to cover, especially if there are turnovers or MSU is sloppy. The Over/Under is expected to be moderate-high, reflecting expectations that MSU will score and NIU could find some offensive moments. Northern Illinois’ ability to upset in Power Five matchups in past seasons gives underdog value appeal, while Mississippi State’s trend of covering early gives confidence to home‐backers. Also notable is that Northern Illinois has seen totals go under in its recent games, which might make the Over attractive for this matchup if bettors believe Mississippi State will push a fast pace.
NILL trend: Northern Illinois is 1-1 ATS so far in 2025; in road games they’ve shown some ability to keep it close, notably in their opener vs. Maryland and in other games where they weren’t heavily favored. Their road vs. spread record indicates that while wins are harder to come by, they tend to outperform expectations when matched up as underdogs.
MISSST trend: Mississippi State is also 2-0 ATS to start the season. Their wins over Southern Miss and Arizona State both came with them being favored by meaningful spreads, and they have covered those lines. Their offense has done enough and the defense has made key plays in presumably tight moments, giving confidence to those backing them at home.
See our latest CFB picks and odds pages for 2025 to compare prices before you bet.
Northern Illinois vs. Mississippi State Odds
Remi is pouring through tons of data on each line. In fact, anytime the Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State trends are analyzed, there’s always several intriguing angles to key in on. Not to mention games played at extreme temps can often follow normal, predictable betting trends.
| NILL Moneyline | +1078 |
|---|---|
| MISSST Moneyline | -2174 |
| NILL Spread | +21.5 |
| MISSST Spread | -21.5 |
| Over / Under | 49.5 |
Northern Illinois vs Mississippi State Live Odds
| Games | PTS | ML | SPR | O/U | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Jacksonville State Gamecocks
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-135
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U 60.5 (-108)
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-138
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U 66.5 (-108)
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BOISE
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–
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+189
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+4.5 (+103)
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O 59.5 (-113)
U 59.5 (-104)
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Dec 6, 2025 12:00PM EST
Miami Ohio Redhawks
Western Michigan Broncos
12/6/25 12PM
MIAOH
WMICH
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–
–
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-125
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-1.5 (-106)
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O 43 (-108)
U 43 (-108)
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Dec 6, 2025 12:00PM EST
BYU Cougars
Texas Tech Red Raiders
12/6/25 12PM
BYU
TXTECH
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–
–
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+383
-500
|
+12.5 (-110)
-12.5 (-102)
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O 49 (-108)
U 49 (-108)
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Dec 6, 2025 4:00PM EST
Georgia Bulldogs
Alabama Crimson Tide
12/6/25 4PM
UGA
BAMA
|
–
–
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-135
+115
|
-2.5 (-106)
+2.5 (-106)
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O 47.5 (-114)
U 47.5 (-103)
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Dec 6, 2025 8:00PM EST
Duke Blue Devils
Virginia Cavaliers
12/6/25 8PM
DUKE
UVA
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–
–
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+161
-185
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+4 (-106)
-4 (-106)
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O 57.5 (-114)
U 57.5 (-103)
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Dec 6, 2025 8:00PM EST
Indiana Hoosiers
Ohio State Buckeyes
12/6/25 8PM
IND
OHIOST
|
–
–
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+168
-193
|
+4 (-106)
-4 (-106)
|
O 47 (-108)
U 47 (-108)
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Dec 13, 2025 3:00PM EST
Army Black Knights
Navy Midshipmen
12/13/25 3PM
ARMY
NAVY
|
–
–
|
+177
-205
|
+5 (-106)
-5 (-106)
|
O 38.5 (-108)
U 38.5 (-108)
|
CFB Past Picks
Remi—our in-house AI—prices every game and prop using multi-season priors, tempo/efficiency, injury/usage signals, and market movement.
We publish fair prices, recommended “buy-to” numbers, and confidence so you can bet prices, not teams.
This preview covers Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 20, 2025 at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Odds shown reflect widely available numbers and may update closer to kickoff.
Want more? Check live edges, player props, and line moves on our CFB odds pages, and compare prices before you place a bet.
|
CFB |
LEAN | %WIN | UNITS | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLO@KSTATE | COLO +17.5 | 54.0% | 4 | WIN |
| PSU@RUT | RUT +14 | 52.8% | 1 | WIN |
| OHIOST@MICH | MICH +10.5 | 56.4% | 6 | LOSS |
| VATECH@UVA | VATECH +8 | 57.8% | 7 | LOSS |
| NWEST@ILL | LUKE ALTMYER UNDER 19.5 PASS COMP | 54.3% | 4 | WIN |
| ORE@WAS | DEMOND WILLIAMS JR UNDER 43.5 RUSH YDS | 55.2% | 5 | WIN |
| MIAMI@VATECH | VATECH +18.5 | 54.2% | 4 | WIN |
| GAST@TROY | TROY -9.5 | 55.7% | 5 | WIN |
| DEL@WAKE | DEL +18 | 56.7% | 6 | LOSS |
| NMEX@AF | NMEX -3.5 | 56.1% | 5 | WIN |
| WASHST@JMAD | WASHST +14.5 | 55.3% | 5 | WIN |
| ILL@WISC | WISC +9 | 55.1% | 5 | WIN |
| WKY@LSU | WKY +23.5 | 56.3% | 6 | WIN |
| WASH@UCLA | DEMOND WILLIAMS UNDER 27.5 PASS ATT | 56.3% | 6 | WIN |
| TCU@HOU | AMARE THOMAS OVER 69.5 RECV YDS | 55.2% | 5 | WIN |
| TEX@UGA | NATE FRAZIER UNDER 65.5 RUSH + REC YDS | 55.5% | 5 | WIN |
| PUR@WASH | ANTONIO HARRIS UNDER 73.5 RUSH + REC YDS | 54.1% | 4 | WIN |
| OKLA@BAMA | UNDER 46 | 52.4% | 2 | WIN |
| UVA@DUKE | DUKE -3.5 | 54.7% | 3 | LOSS |
| OKLA@BAMA | BAMA -6 | 54.5% | 3 | LOSS |
| OREGST@TULSA | OREGST -120 | 55.6% | 5 | LOSS |
| UTEP@MIZZST | MIZZST -5 | 54.3% | 4 | WIN |
| COLOST@NMEX | NMEX -14 | 57.1% | 6 | LOSS |
| PSU@MICHST | MICHST +7.5 | 56.5% | 6 | LOSS |
| MISSST@MIZZOU | MISSST +7.5 | 57.2% | 7 | LOSS |
| FAU@TULANE | FAU +17.5 | 56.0% | 6 | WIN |
| NCST@MIAMI | NCST +15.5 | 57.1% | 7 | LOSS |
| KENTST@AKRON | AKRON -6.5 | 55.4% | 5 | LOSS |
| JAXST@UTEP | JAXST -105 | 57.0% | 7 | WIN |
| FSU@CLEM | CLEM -118 | 57.1% | 5 | WIN |
| UNLV@COLOST | UNLV -4 | 55.2% | 5 | WIN |
| OREG@IOWA | IOWA +6.5 | 53.3% | 2 | WIN |
| NEB@UCLA | NEB +1.5 | 55.8% | 5 | WIN |
| KENSAW@NMEXST | NMEXST +10 | 56.5% | 6 | WIN |
| STNFRD@UNC | STNFRD +7.5 | 53.8% | 3 | WIN |
| DUKE@UCONN | UCONN +8.5 | 57.9% | 7 | WIN |
| NEVADA@UTAHST | NEVADA +9.5 | 55.9% | 5 | LOSS |
| SAMST@OREGST | SAMST +21 | 57.7% | 7 | WIN |
| NEB@UCLA | NICO IAMALEAVA UNDER 180.5 PASS YDS | 56.6% | 6 | LOSS |
| HOU@UCF | HOU -112 | 58.0% | 6 | WIN |
| GASTHRN@APPST | GASTHRN +180 | 36.5% | 2 | WIN |
| KENTST@BALLST | BALLST -2.5 | 54.5% | 4 | WIN |
| WAKE@FSU | WAKE +10.5 | 56.4% | 6 | LOSS |
| WYO@SDGST | SDGST -10.5 | 56.7% | 7 | WIN |
| OKLA@TENN | TENN -130 | 58.3% | 5 | LOSS |
| GATECH@NCST | GATECH -5 | 56.4% | 6 | LOSS |
| MIAMI@SMU | MIAMI -10 | 54.3% | 4 | LOSS |
| IND@MD | MD +21.5 | 54.6% | 4 | LOSS |
| CINCY@UTAH | CINCY +11 | 57.6% | 7 | LOSS |
| OLDDOM@LAMON | LAMON +17 | 58.4% | 8 | LOSS |
| VANDY@TEXAS | OVER 46.5 | 53.7% | 2 | WIN |