Northern Illinois is coming into this game with a 7-5 record this season and they were 4-4 in their conference. They have been playing very well in their recent games as they ended the regular season winning 3 of their last 4 games and are coming off of a 24-16 win against Central Michigan in their last game. Their defense has been great all season and they have held opponents under 20 points in 2 of their last 3 games. They are going up against a Fresno State team that is 6-6 this season and they were 4-3 in their conference. They were not playing well to end the season though, losing 3 of their last 4 games and coming off of a loss against UCLA in their last game. Their defense has not been great in these as they have allowed 20+ points in their last 4 straight games and they have been giving up these points against some bad offenses as well. Fresno State has not been bad at defending the run this season, allowing 137.6 rushing yards per game as well as 3.9 yards per carry, but they have not been great either and this is a tough offense to defend the run against. NIU is averaging 207.3 rushing yards per game as well as 4.8 yards per carry so they are going to have success moving the ball here. Their run defense has also been great themselves, allowing 111.8 rushing yards per game as well as 3.5 yards per carry, and this is a Fresno State team that is only averaging 96.6 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. Northern Illinois is going to be able to dominate this game on the ground as they will be able to run the ball while Fresno State will struggle, and NIU also has a very good pass defense as well so Fresno State will not have many options here. Northern Illinois will cover the spread in this game.