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Notre Dame NIU Spread: Upset Victory Defies 28-Point Prediction

Alex KataevbyAlex Kataev·Sep 19, 2024
In Short

The Notre Dame NIU spread was 28 points in favor of Notre Dame, but Northern Illinois won 16-14 in a stunning upset. The Notre Dame NIU spread predictions were completely off, as NIU defeated the Fighting Irish outright as 28-point underdogs. The 16-14 victory by Northern Illinois defied the pre-game Notre Dame NIU spread and betting line expectations.

Game outcome vs spread

  • Actual result: Northern Illinois defeated Notre Dame 16-14
  • Spread prediction: Notre Dame NIU spread had Notre Dame favored by 28 points
  • Spread outcome: Northern Illinois covered the spread and won outright as 28-point underdogs in the Fighting Irish Huskies betting line

Key factors in the upset

  • Game-winning field goal: NIU kicker Kanon Woodill hit a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds left to take the lead
  • Notre Dame turnovers: QB Riley Leonard threw 2 interceptions, impacting the Notre Dame NIU spread
  • Big plays by NIU: 83-yard touchdown reception by Antario Brown, defying the Northern Illinois Notre Dame point spread
  • Blocked kicks: NIU's Cade Haberman blocked Notre Dame's 62-yard field goal attempt as time expired

Pre-game predictions vs reality

  • Prediction models:
    • Dimers model gave Notre Dame a 97% chance of winning, influencing the Fighting Irish Huskies betting line
    • Data Skrive model predicted Notre Dame to win 42-9
  • Actual score: Northern Illinois 16, Notre Dame 14, contradicting the Notre Dame NIU spread
  • Total points: 30 points scored, well under the predicted over/under of 44.5

Betting implications

  • Moneyline: Bettors who took NIU on the moneyline likely received very high payouts
  • Against the spread (ATS): NIU easily covered as 28-point underdogs in the Northern Illinois Notre Dame point spread
  • Over/Under: The game went under the total of 44.5 points

Historical context

  • MAC vs top-5 teams: This was the first-ever win for a MAC team against a top-5 opponent, ending an 0-51 streak and defying the Notre Dame NIU spread
  • Notre Dame struggles: The Irish are now 4-4 against unranked teams under coach Marcus Freeman since 2022, affecting future Fighting Irish Huskies betting lines

FAQ

What was the Notre Dame NIU spread for the game?

Notre Dame was favored by 28 points in the Notre Dame NIU spread.

How did Northern Illinois perform against the spread?

Northern Illinois not only covered the 28-point spread but won the game outright 16-14, completely defying the Northern Illinois Notre Dame point spread.

What factors contributed to Northern Illinois beating the Fighting Irish Huskies betting line?

Key factors included NIU's game-winning field goal, Notre Dame's turnovers, big plays by NIU like an 83-yard touchdown reception, and NIU blocking Notre Dame's final field goal attempt.

How accurate were pre-game predictions compared to the actual outcome?

Pre-game predictions were extremely inaccurate. Models gave Notre Dame a 97% chance of winning and predicted a 42-9 victory, while the actual result was a 16-14 NIU win, contradicting the Notre Dame NIU spread.

What were the betting implications of this upset for the Fighting Irish Huskies betting line?

Bettors who took NIU on the moneyline likely received very high payouts, NIU easily covered as 28-point underdogs, and the game went under the total of 44.5 points, significantly impacting all aspects of the Fighting Irish Huskies betting line.