Just a few weeks ago, Toledo was considered to be a frontrunner to win the MAC.
The Rockets started the regular season 2-1 with wins over Western Kentucky and FCS Morgan State and an eight-point loss at Kentucky.
Then Toledo suffered a one-point defeat at Western Michigan. Though the Rockets bounced back with a 45-3 win over Akron, they lost on the road again to Bowling Green, 28-23. Toledo beat Kent State 45-10 at home before going back on the road and losing to Washington State 28-7.
Now 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play, the Rockets are back home and will face Northern Illinois. Toledo still could make it to the MAC title game, but it will likely need to win out and get a lot of help.
NIU (2-6, 1-3) also hasn’t lived up to its preseason expectations. The Huskies began the year with a 19-17 win over FCS Holy Cross but then dropped six straight. They did rebound in their most recent outing with a 21-7 win over Ball State.
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Northern Illinois vs. Toledo Betting Odds
Toledo is a 14.5-point college football betting odds favorite against Northern Illinois, with the Over/Under being 42.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for Northern Illinois is +500, while it’s -700 for Toledo.
Northern Illinois vs. Toledo On TV
The matchup between Northern Illinois and Toledo will be televised on ESPN2. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The contest is taking place at the Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio.
Northern Illinois vs. Toledo Prediction
I predict Toledo will win and cover the 14.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 42.5 total points.
I know Toledo hasn’t exactly been consistent. But the Rockets are undefeated at home thus far. In fact, their average margin of victory at the Glass Bowl in 2025 is 40.25 points per game.
And Toledo has arguably the most talent in the MAC. The Rockets are first in the league in scoring offense (31.8 points per game), scoring defense (16 PPG allowed), total offense (436.5 yards per game), and total defense (236.3 YPG allowed).
The Huskies do have a solid defense. They allow the fifth-fewest points (22.1 per game) and yards (343.9 per game) in the MAC. But I don’t believe the Huskies offense, which is in the bottom four of the conference for points (13.4 per game) and yards (276.1 per game), will be able to keep pace with the Rockets.
Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason has thrown for 1,721 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 65% of his throws and has rushed for three touchdowns. Chip Trayanum has a team-high 601 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior Vandeross III (52 catches for 608 yards and eight TDs) and Trayvon Rudolph (28 catches for 333 yards and 1 TD) have been Toledo’s leading receivers.
Toledo has plenty of firepower on offense, and I expect the Rockets will win this game decisively at home.
