Northern Illinois vs Fresno State prediction & betting tips - Dec. 23 - Idaho Potato Bowl

The Northern Illinois Huskies are set to face the Fresno State Bulldogs on Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Northern Illinois finished the year with a 7-5 record, including a stunning 16-14 win over then-No. 5-ranked Notre Dame in Week 2. Meanwhile, Fresno State went 6-6 and ended the regular season with a 20-13 loss to UCLA.

Northern Illinois vs Fresno State: Preview

NIU is a three-point favorite while the over/under is set at 40 points.

The Huskies had a good year despite not winning the MAC, as they had arguably the biggest upset in college football this season over Notre Dame.

"We are extremely excited to have an opportunity to go to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and play a strong Mountain West opponent in Fresno State," NIU coach Thomas Hammock said on Dec. 8, via the team's website. "Playing a team we haven't seen before [during my tenure] is always exciting and Fresno State will present a great challenge. Our players and staff are determined to do everything we can to bring a bowl trophy home for the second year in a row."

NIU will be without several players, including starters who entered the transfer portal.

• Starting QB Ethan Hampton (signed with Wake Forest)
• Starting S Santana Banner (signed with Missouri)
• Starting WR Trayvon Rudolph
• Starting DT Skyler Gill-Howard (signed with Texas Tech)
• Starting DE Jalonnie Williams

The Huskies will start Josh Holst at quarterback who threw for 411 yards and an interception this season. NIU is expected to rely on its run game as Gavin Williams rushed for 741 yards and four touchdowns.

On the other hand, Fresno State, has been decimated by the transfer portal and will have plenty of key players out. Here is the full list of starters who won't play.

• Starting QB Mikey Keene
• Starting WR Jalen Moss
• Starting WR Raylen Sharpe (signed with Arkansas)
• Starting CB Alzillion Hamilton
• Starting CB Julian Neal
• Starting DT Gavriel Lightfoot (signed with Colorado)
• Starting DT Jacob Holmes
• Starting LB Phoenix Jackson (signed with Baylor)

Wide receiver Mac Dalena and cornerback Cam Lockridge both declared for the NFL draft and will also not play.

Fresno State's offense will have a hard time moving the ball, as three impact receivers and their QB won't see action.

NIU's defense should be able to have a lot of success and limit Fresno State's offense to win the Potato Bowl.

Prediction: NIU 21, Fresno State 14.

Northern Illinois vs Fresno State: Betting Tips

Tip 1: NIU -3 (-105)

Tip 2: NIU ML (-142)

Tip 3: Under 40 points (-112)