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2008 Independence Bowl Odds – Northern Illinois v. Louisiana Tech Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

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We used to see Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech on a routine basis when the two were members of the Big West. The two teams will meet for the first time in 12 seasons when they face off in the December 28th Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. Both teams have done a great job rebounding from disappointing 2007 campaigns and now one of these schools will look to take that next step by capping of the year with a bowl win. Odds makers feel this one will go right down to the wire, listing Northern Illinois as a 1-point favorite with the total set at 47.

Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series between these teams 5-1, most recently winning 40-14 in 1996. The Bulldogs will enjoy a nice home field advantage also with this game taking place just 67 miles from their campus in Ruston. Shreveport is the cite of Louisiana Tech’s largest alumni base so we expect the Bulldogs to put a good amount of fans in the seats. Second-year head coach Derek Dooley led his team to wins in four of its last five games to finish 7-5. This will be Tech’s first bowl appearance since 2001 when it played Clemson in the Humanitarian Bowl. The Bulldogs are 1-2-1 in bowl games all-time.

Northern Illinois is going bowling for the third time in five years and what’s even more remarkable is that it is doing so just one season removed from finishing 2-10. Despite losing three of their last four games to finish as one of 13 teams with a 6-6 record, the Huskies were one of nine of those .500 teams invited to participate in a bowl game. while NIU finished just 6-6, it was competitive in nearly every game this season wit four losses coming by four points or less to Tennessee, Minnesota, Western Michigan and Central Michigan.

Louisiana Tech surprised everyone in the WAC by finishing in a tie for second place behind No. 9 Boise State. The Bulldogs defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 22-14 to start the year sending a message to everyone right out of the gate that they should not be taken lightly. NIU finished fourth in the stacked MAC West, which also features three other bowl-bound teams in Ball State, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan. The Huskies may be getting a slight edge at some sportsbooks because of its solid defense, which ranks 16th in the country (18.1 ppg). Senior defensive end Larry English is one of the best defensive players in the country. He is a two-time MAC MVP and the current NCAA leader in career sacks with 31.5. English has eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss this season. If you like the Huskies defense to baffle the Bulldogs, bet Northern Illinois at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash sign up bonus.

The NIU defense will have to be at its best against an offense which really took things up a notch down the stretch, averaging 34 points over its last five games. The Bulldogs have done it with a superior ground attack which ranked second in the WAC. All-WAC running back Daniel Porter rushed for 1,086 yards and eight scores this season. Another name to listen for is Phillip Livas. He was the team’s leader in receptions with 39 for 589 yards, but more importantly, he is responsible for getting them good field position as a punt returner. He averages 16.6 yards per punt return to rank 10th in the nation and has taken two to the house this season. If you like the Bulldogs offense to win this battle, bet Louisiana Tech at Bookmaker.

Do your football betting on Jimmy Boyd’s NCAA football picks this bowl season for the most winners against the college football odds.

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