The Northern Illinois Huskies seek their fourth victory in five games when they host the Ball State Cardinals in a MACtion showdown on Tuesday. Northern Illinois (4-5, 3-2) had its three-game winning streak snapped last week as it dropped a 37-31 decision at Central Michigan. Ball State (2-7, 1-4) is coming off a 24-21 setback at Bowling Green. The Huskies are 25-23-2 in the all-time series but have lost three of the last four matchups.

Kickoff at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Huskies are 9.5-point favorites in the latest Northern Illinois vs. Ball State odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 44. NIU is the -351 favorite on the money line (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college football odds page).

Before you make any Ball State vs. Northern Illinois picks or college football predictions, you NEED to see the predictions from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen HUGE returns.

The model knows Northern Illinois made a valiant comeback attempt last week, scoring 20 consecutive points after falling behind 37-11 in the third quarter and driving late before an interception with just over a minute remaining in the fourth sealed things. Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi recorded season highs against Central Michigan as he threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns while running for 31 yards. The Huskies also received huge performances from junior running back Antario Brown, who rushed for 167 yards and a TD, and junior wideout Trayvon Rudolph, who made eight catches for a season-high 170 yards and a score.

The model also is aware that Ball State nearly forced overtime against Bowling Green but missed a 52-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Kiael Kelly threw for only 66 yards but did damage with his legs, rushing for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior running back Marquez Cooper also gained 90 yards on the ground and rushed for a score. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Tuesday's Northern Illinois vs. Ball State matchup. We can tell you it is leaning Over on the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any college football picks!

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