Week 5 of the 2025 college football season brings an exciting matchup between the San Diego State Aztecs and the Northern Illinois Huskies at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL. The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams are eager to improve their standings as they face off in this intriguing contest. The Aztecs enter the game with a 2-1 record, showing strong performances at home, but they have yet to secure a win on the road. They recently dominated the California Golden Bears with a decisive 34-0 victory at Snapdragon Stadium. Their offensive and defensive units will aim to replicate that success against the Huskies. Northern Illinois holds a 1-2 record this season, with their sole win coming at home against Holy Cross in a close 19-17 battle. The Huskies have struggled on the road, highlighted by their recent 38-10 loss to Mississippi State. Returning to their home field, the Huskies hope to leverage their home advantage to turn the tide this weekend.
Northern Illinois vs San Diego State At a Glance
- Venue: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- Broadcast: Watch on ESPN+
- San Diego State Record: 2-1 (0-1 on the road)
- Northern Illinois Record: 1-2 (1-0 at home)
- Game Odds: San Diego State favored with a -2.5 spread
Northern Illinois Huskies: A Statistical Look Ahead
Team Overview
The Northern Illinois Huskies have had a mixed start to the 2025 season. They have faced challenging opponents and will be looking to improve as the season progresses. With a focus on both offense and defense, the team is working to find its rhythm.
Offensive Analysis
On the offensive side, Northern Illinois has struggled to find consistency. They rank 137th in passing yards with a total of 342 yards this season. The rushing game, however, shows promise with 486 yards, positioning them 94th in this category.
First downs have been hard to come by, as the Huskies have only managed 44, ranking 58th. The offense needs to find a way to sustain drives and convert on third downs to alleviate pressure on their defense.
Defensive Breakdown
Defensively, Northern Illinois has shown potential, particularly in their pass rush and turnovers. They have recorded four sacks, placing them 14th, and their ability to recover fumbles ranks them 5th with one recovery.
The defense has allowed 75 points, ranking 50th, indicating a need for improvement. Focusing on tightening their coverage and tackling will be essential for reducing opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Recent Game Performances
The Huskies’ recent games have highlighted both areas of strength and weakness. They lost to Mississippi State 38-10, struggling to contain the Bulldogs’ rushing attack that amassed 292 yards.
In their previous encounter against Maryland, the Huskies demonstrated resilience, especially in their rush defense, holding the Terrapins to 88 rushing yards. Despite this, their passing game fell short with only 91 yards.
Betting Trends
- As Favorites: 4-0 in the last 4 games (2024–2025)
- Home Games: 3-0 in the last 3 games (2024–2025)
- Totals ≥ 50: 3-0 in the last 3 games (2023–2024)
- ATS as Underdog: 12-4 in the last 16 games (2021–2025)
- O/U After Loss: 13-8 in the last 21 games (2022–2025)
San Diego State Aztecs: A Season of Defensive Dominance
Offensive Struggles
The San Diego State Aztecs have had a challenging start to the 2025 season offensively. With only 549 passing yards and a rank of 121st, their aerial attack has been lackluster.
On the ground, they have accumulated 442 rushing yards, ranking 107th, indicating room for improvement. Their 49 first downs rank them 55th, highlighting an offense that needs to be more consistent.
Defensive Prowess
Defensively, the Aztecs have been impressive, allowing just 36 points, which ranks 14th in the nation. Their pass rush has been effective, recording seven sacks, which places them 11th overall.
With two interceptions and one fumble recovery, their defense has been opportunistic, securing high national rankings in both categories. This solid defensive showing has been a cornerstone of their season so far.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent games, the Aztecs showcased their defensive strength with a 34-0 victory over California. They limited the Golden Bears to just 65 rushing yards and forced two interceptions.
However, their offensive struggles were apparent in a 36-13 loss to Washington State, where they managed only 133 passing yards. This inconsistency in offensive production remains a key area for improvement.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Jayden Denegal leads the passing attack with 530 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Lucky Sutton has been their most productive player on the ground with 249 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Jordan Napier has been a standout, recording 18 receptions for 238 yards. These players will be crucial if the Aztecs are to improve their offensive output.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 19-4 (82.6%) in their last 23 games
- O/U – Away Games: 5-0 in their last 5 games
- SU – Totals ≤ 42: 7-1 in their last 8 games
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: 3-0 in their last 3 games
- O/U – As Underdog: 5-1 in their last 6 games
- ATS – Away Games: 10-5 in their last 15 games
San Diego State has demonstrated a solid defensive performance this season, allowing only 36 points across three games, ranking them 14th in points against. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, has struggled offensively, managing only 38 points in their first three games. With both teams showing a tendency for lower-scoring games, the likelihood of a high-scoring outcome seems limited.
San Diego State’s offense hasn’t been prolific either, ranked 60th with just 89 points scored this season. Northern Illinois has allowed 75 points, which ranks them 50th in points against, suggesting they are not easily broken down. These statistics collectively point towards a game where defenses could dominate.
Given the defensive strength of San Diego State and the offensive struggles of Northern Illinois, the game could be a low-scoring affair. The consensus total is set at 42.5, which seems a bit high considering the trends and performances so far this season. Both teams seem more adept at stopping points rather than scoring them.
Therefore, taking into account both teams’ current form and statistical trends, the pick is for the total to go under 42.5 points. A projected final score of San Diego State 20 – Northern Illinois 10 supports the under pick.
Northern Illinois vs San Diego State Prediction: ‘Under 42.5’
- Northern Illinois vs San Diego State Prediction: Under 42.5
- Northern Illinois vs San Diego State Score: San Diego State 20 – Northern Illinois 10
