---

Wyoming and Northern Illinois prediction and game preview. Find out who’s projected to win the matchup between the Cowboys and Huskies.

---

Wyoming vs Northern Illinois Game Preview

Broadcast Info

Game: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
Date: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming
Television Station: CBSSN

Wyoming vs. Northern Illinois Storylines

In 2015, Northern Illinois had single-digit wins for the first time since 2009, as it finished with an 8-6 record. Senior quarterback Drew Hare is looking to end his career with the Huskies on a high note, and he’s done well in the past two seasons with 5.33 touchdowns passing for every interception thrown. 

Hare was at the helm of the No. 82-ranked passing offense in the nation, but he also has some help in the form of senior running back Joel Bouagnon, who rushed for 1,286 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. Wyoming’s secondary is returning all four of its starters from a unit that allowed 243.6 yards passing per game last season. 

If the Cowboys are going to improve from their 2-10 record in 2015, they’ll need to put up more than 19 points per game. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Allen is taking over an offense that didn’t even scratch the surface of 200 yards passing per game, and it’ll go up against a Huskies defense that was in the top 30 of yards passing allowed (196.9). 

Wyoming Offensive Stats

Passing Offense: 187.3 ypg (No. 101 in the nation)
Rushing Offense: 173.42 ypg (No. 62 in the nation)
Total Offense: 360.7 ypg (No. 100 in the nation)
Scoring Offense: 19 ppg (No. 115 in the nation)

Northern Illinois Offensive Stats

Passing Offense: 208.4 ypg (No. 82 in the nation)
Rushing Offense: 190.14 ypg (No. 41 in the nation)
Total Offense: 398.6 ypg (No. 66 in the nation)
Scoring Offense: 31.1 ppg (No. 52 in the nation)

Wyoming Defensive Stats

Passing Defense: 243.6 ypg (No. 91 in the nation)
Rushing Defense: 174.71 ypg (No. 71 in the nation)
Total Defense: 422.1 ypg (No. 92 in the nation)
Scoring Defense: 34 ppg (No. 102 in the nation)
Turnover Margin: -0.92 tpg (No. 113 in the nation)

Northern Illinois Defensive Stats

Passing Defense: 196.9 ypg (No. 27 in the nation)
Rushing Defense: 225.17 ypg (No. 114 in the nation)
Total Defense: 418.4 ypg (No. 87 in the nation)
Scoring Defense: 27.6 ppg (No. 72 in the nation)
Turnover Margin: 0.14 tpg (No. 57 in the nation)

Betting Numbers

Spread: Northern Illinois -10
Over/Under: 55.5

Wyoming vs. Northern Illinois Prediction

Allen will hook up with tight end Josh Harshman and wide receiver Jake Maulhardt for a touchdown each, but Northern Illinois will limit the Cowboys to simply that and field goals. The Hare will lead the Huskies with 200 yards passing and a few touchdowns to win their first game on the road. 

Final Score Prediction: Northern Illinois 36, Wyoming 23

MORE: 2016 College Football Bowl Projections