Week 4 of college football is upon us, and NIU football is back in action after its bye week. The Huskies are readying for their 14th SEC matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Mississippi, while the Northern Star sports staff has been preparing predictions.
Here are the Northern Star sports staff’s predictions for five of the most exciting games this weekend, from the Illini versus the Hoosiers to NIU seeking its 20th boneyard victory.
Tulane at No. 13 Ole Miss
2:30 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 20 | ESPN
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (9-6): Ole Miss — Both teams are 3-0 to start the season, but Ole Miss just looks like the better team. Only one team can come out of this matchup still undefeated, and that team will be the Rebels.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (12-3): Ole Miss — Let’s get this out of the way: Jake Retzlaff and the Green Wave scare me, but they’re bound to run out of steam sometime. I’ll take Lane Kiffin and company to pump the brakes on Tulane.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (12-3): Ole Miss — The Rebels 3-0 resume this season has been far more impressive than Tulane’s, Ole Miss should have no problem taking care of the Green Wave in Oxford.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (8-7): Ole Miss — I’ve been scolded for picking the underdog teams every week so far, so I’m going to stop doing that. The Rebels are literally just better, so sorry, Tulane, you’re about to take your first L this season. The Northern Star Sports Staff said so.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (10-5): Ole Miss — Ole Miss will win this game because they have played tougher opponents, and their 3-0 resume looks stronger than Tulane’s. Ultimately, Ole Miss is the stronger of the two teams.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (10-5): Ole Miss — Both teams are coming into this matchup 3-0, however Ole Miss clearly has more firepower than Tulane.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (8-2): Ole Miss — Ole Miss’ start has been more impressive against tougher competition. Tulane’s been on a nice run but with the Rebels hosting, I can’t see this momentum ending.
Liliana Camargo, Sports Reporter (0-0): Ole Miss — Ole Miss and Tulane are 3-0, both undefeated. Only one of the teams has the more impressive stack of opponents. Therefore Ole Miss will have no problem coming out on top.
Toledo at Western Michigan
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 20 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Toledo — Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason has over double the yards as Broc Lowry, and Toledo looks like a top team in college football. Western Michigan is 0-3 on the season, and I don’t see that changing against Toledo.
Kisellus: Toledo — The Rockets look like one of the top teams in the Group of Six, and the Broncos haven’t won a game yet. You do the math.
Segreti: Toledo — The Rockets have been consistently one of the top teams in the MAC and have continued that this season. The Broncos have been lackluster this season, so expect Toledo to easily take care of business.
Valenti: Western Michigan — I lied. I’m picking the underdog again. Western Michigan hasn’t yet tasted victory this season, but that’s because it’s faced Power Four schools. The Rockets lost their first away game, so I think the Broncos will lock in for their family weekend game.
Avila: Toledo — Toledo will win this game because they are the stronger team, and will win by at least 2 scores. The Rockets will blow up the Mustangs. They get 5 big booms: BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
Whittington: Toledo — The Rockets have consistently been one of the best teams in the MAC, and it helps to have a playmaking wide receiver like Junior Vandeross III.
Naranjo: Toledo — Despite the records so far, this matchup has actually been close the past few seasons with the home team winning the last 5. The Broncos have also faced a pair of Big Ten teams in Michigan State and Illinois but I think their rocky start continues. The Rockets have more than enough weaponry to take the dub.
Camargo: Toledo — Western Michigan has absolutely been torched by Big Ten schools. So without fail, coming toe to toe against one of the best football teams in the MAC, Western Michigan will choke.
NIU at Mississippi State
3:15 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 20 | SEC Network
Schaefer: Mississippi State — Mississippi State is 3-0 on the season and averages 40 points a game. NIU has neither of those things.
Kisellus: Mississippi State — Sure, NIU’s fresh off a bye week, but Mississippi State will have home-field advantage and an unbeaten 3-0 record come Saturday. The Huskies can dream, but the Bulldogs will be their nightmare.
Segreti: NIU — Despite starting 3-0, Mississippi State’s resume is not impressive this season and NIU should be able to squeak out a road victory over an SEC team. The Bulldogs were demolished last season by Toledo in Starksville by a score of 41-17.
Valenti: Mississippi State — This is going to be a slaughter, I fear. Mississippi State has an unrelenting offense, and heading into this matchup after a bye week isn’t ideal. Unless rest has boosted the defense tenfold, the Huskies are goners.
Avila: Mississippi State — I think Mississippi State will win this game because they have been off to a great start, and the Huskies haven’t been off to the best of starts. Coming off of a 63 point game, and the Huskies coming off a bye week isn’t the best of situations for the Huskies as that is what had killed their momentum last year.
Whittington: Mississippi State — Mississippi has been off to a great start, as opposed to the Huskies who are 1-1. NIU’s run game could make it scrappy but Mississippi should break it open.
Naranjo: NIU — Mississippi are going in this game with all the momentum; their offense had looked electric while NIU’s has struggled to put up over 20 points. This NIU defense will be busy but I believe in miracles. If the Huskies can establish their run game early, there’s always a chance.
Camargo: Mississippi State —I don’t believe in miracles. NIU has not had the best start to their season after struggling in last game’s 20-9 loss compared to Mississippi’s 63-0 victory. Mississippi will have home advantage and confidence to take down the huskies.
No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana
6:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 20 | NBC
Schaefer: Illinois — The only things I root for in Indiana are the Indy 500 and Caitlin Clark. Maybe the Colts if it helps my fantasy football team. That’s it.
Kisellus: Illinois — Indiana has Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza and home-field advantage in this one, but Illinois has Ethan Hampton as its backup QB. Checkmate, Hoosiers.
Segreti: Illinois — Illinois has been impressive so far, and over the past two seasons, Indiana has struggled against opponents in the top 25. The Illini also have former Huskie quarterback Ethan Hampton on their roster which will propel them to victory.
Valenti: Illinois — Live, laugh, love, Illinois. Saying this burned me once, but I wouldn’t ever pick Indiana in this scenario. Like, ever. Illinois is ranked higher for a reason.
Avila: Illinois – Illinois has been looking like the stronger team this year, and I think it will be a close game, but Illinois will edge Indiana with a close game win.
Whittington: Illinois — Illinois has shown upside this season – headlined by their 45-19 blowout win against Duke – and former NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton gives Illinois the punch to defeat Indiana.
Naranjo: Illinois — Can’t go against former Huskie Ethan Hampton in this one. Illinois’ offense has been steamrolling opponents and so has Indiana, but the Hoosiers also love to get beat by the rest of the Big Ten.
Camargo: Illinois — Illinois seems to have the upper hand and both feet on the gas. After coming on top against Duke with 45 points, it’s safe to say that Indiana’s cooked.
Fresno State at Hawai’i
10:59 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 20
Schaefer: Hawai’i — Hawai’i won the last matchup against Fresno State 21-20, and with quarterback Micah Alejado back from injury, the Rainbow Warriors are poised to win their second in a row against the Bulldogs.
Kisellus: Hawai’i — Micah Alejado’s back from injury, which means Rainbow Warrior magic is back on the menu!
Segreti: Hawai’i — Micah Alejado is returning at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors after winning in Week 0 and suffering an injury against Stanford. Alejado is poised to lead Hawai’i to a victory over Fresno State.
Valenti: Hawai’i — I will never not pick the Rainbow Warriors for one of these. Unfortunately for Fresno State, the return of Micah Alejado spells disaster. It won’t be all sunshine and rainbows.
Avila: Hawai’i – Hawai’i will pull off the win because they have looked like the far more impressive team. The Rainbow Warriors will send the Bulldogs somewhere over the rainbow after erupting on them, and don’t forget, the Bulldogs lost to NIU in the Potato Bowl last year.
Whittington: Fresno State — Fresno seems to have a more complete team. This season the Bulldogs have allowed less points per game and scored more than the Rainbow Warriors. Plus I like a good upset.
Naranjo: Hawai’i — Fresno State has had recent success playing in Hawai’i, but their inconsistent defense might struggle versus this Rainbow Warriors’ offense. If the defense steps up, future Huskies rival Hawai’i should retain their mythical Golden Screwdriver Trophy.
Camargo: Hawai’i — Having the more impressive team and seeing their QB back from injury, the Rainbow Warriors will rain over the Bulldogs’ parade.
