Northwestern hosting Redhawks after loss to FCS S. Illinois

Miami (Ohio) (1-2) at Northwestern (1-2), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (Large Ten Community)

Line: Northwestern by 7 1/2, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Collection document: Miami leads 6-3

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Northwestern has dropped two straight since a season-opening win over Nebraska in Eire, together with a 31-24 stunner to Southern Illinois of the Soccer Championship Subdivision. The Wildcats are additionally gazing a tricky one-two punch to open Large Ten play. They go to No. 14 Penn State subsequent week and host Wisconsin on Oct. 8. Miami misplaced 38-17 at Cincinnati within the 126th Battle for the Victory Bell, giving the Bearcats 16 straight wins towards their in-state rival and the collection lead. The Redhawks open MAC play at Buffalo subsequent week.

KEY MATCHUP

Northwestern RB Evan Hull vs. Miami ILB Ryan McWood. Hull leads the nation in all-purpose yards with 652, together with 308 dashing and 301 receiving. McWood has been arguably Miami’s finest participant with 31 tackles and one of many protection’s 4 interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Miami: QB Aveon Smith. Smith figures to make his third straight begin since Brett Gabbert exited a season-opening loss at Kentucky with an damage to his non-throwing arm. He was 9 for 21 for 116 yards with two touchdowns and an interception towards Cincinnati.

Northwestern: Hull. Hull ran for 124 yards and a landing towards Southern Illinois. In opposition to Duke, he caught 14 passes for a career-best 213 yards and a TD. That made him the primary Energy 5 operating again this century with a minimum of 14 receptions and 200 yards in a single sport.

FACTS & FIGURES

The applications are assembly for the primary time since Northwestern’s 16-6 win in 2009. … Northwestern and Miami have some connections. Ara Parseghian and Randy Walker performed at Miami and served as head coaches there earlier than taking on at Northwestern. … Miami is 0-7 towards the Large Ten since coach Chuck Martin took over in 2014. The RedHawks’ most up-to-date win towards the convention was 44-14 over Northwestern in 2003, after they went 13-1 and have been ranked No. 10 within the closing AP Ballot with Ben Roethlisberger main the way in which. … Miami has held leads in 36 of its previous 41 video games. … The RedHawks have been fast starters, profitable all three coin tosses and scoring on every game-opening possession, together with touchdowns at Kentucky and towards Cincinnati. … Northwestern was held to 380 yards final week after going for 528 towards Nebraska and 511 towards Duke. … The Wildcats are averaging a league-low 16.6 factors whereas giving up 29 per sport — third-most within the Large Ten.

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