In Week 10 of the 2026 college football season, the Northern Illinois Huskies will visit the San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium. Northern Illinois seeks its first win of the season, currently holding an 0-8 record. Their struggles have been evident on both home and away fields, with a conference record of 0-4.
San Jose State, on the other hand, has shown some competitive spirit this season, holding a 4-5 record. While they haven't been dominant at home, with a 1-3 record, they aim to leverage their familiarity with CEFCU Stadium to improve their standing. Their conference performance stands at 2-3, indicating potential for improvement as they face the Huskies.
The Spartans are favored in this contest with a -390 moneyline, reflecting their comparatively better performance this season. The consensus spread sees Northern Illinois as a 10-point underdog, which highlights the challenges they face in turning their season around. Fans can catch the game on MW+ at 4:00 PM on November 7, 2026.
San Jose State vs Northern Illinois At a Glance (Week 10)
- Game Location: CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA
- Game Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: MW+
- San Jose State Record: 4-5 overall, 1-3 at home
- Northern Illinois Record: 0-8 overall, 0-5 on the road
- Betting Odds: San Jose State favored with a moneyline of -390
San Jose State Spartans Set to Shine at CEFCU Stadium
Offensive Overview
The San Jose State Spartans have shown a strong passing game this season, ranking 35th nationally with 2051 passing yards. Quarterback Luke Weaver has been at the helm, leading the offense with 1810 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. The team will look to build on their passing success against Northern Illinois.
The rushing attack, while less dominant, still contributes to the team's overall performance. Jabari Bates leads the running backs with 649 rushing yards, offering a balanced offensive strategy. With 155 first downs, the Spartans have been effective in sustaining drives.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, San Jose State stands out with an impressive sack count, ranking 4th in the nation with 31 sacks. The defensive line's ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks has been a key factor in their game plan. Additionally, the Spartans have secured 11 interceptions, ranking 12th nationally, showcasing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
The team has also been effective in recovering fumbles, with their efforts placing them 11th in the national rankings. This knack for creating turnovers will be crucial in their upcoming game against the Huskies. However, they have allowed 201 points, indicating room for improvement in certain defensive aspects.
Recent Performance
The Spartans are coming off a narrow 21-16 loss against New Mexico, where they managed 190 passing yards but struggled in the rushing department with only 48 yards. Their recent games show a pattern of close contests, including a 16-13 loss to Wyoming and a 24-11 win against UTEP. San Jose State has demonstrated resilience, but their ability to close out games remains a focal point for improvement.
In their victory over Hawaii, the Spartans excelled in the passing game with 246 yards, while maintaining a balanced offensive effort. Their ability to adjust and find success on the road bodes well for their home advantage at CEFCU Stadium. As they prepare for Northern Illinois, maintaining consistency will be key to securing a win.
Injury Concerns
San Jose State is currently dealing with several injuries that could impact their performance. Tight end Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole and wide receivers Cooper Hoch and Jase Nix are all questionable for the upcoming game due to undisclosed injuries. Defensive lineman Ian Shewell is also uncertain to play, which could affect the team's defensive rotations.
Betting Trends
- SU - As Favorite: Last 30 Games (2022–2026) → 23-7 (76.7%)
- ATS - After Loss: Last 5 Games (2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS - Away Games: Last 22 Games (2023–2026) → 15-7 (68.2%)
- SU - Home Games: Last 29 Games (2022–2026) → 19-10 (65.5%)
Northern Illinois Huskies Gear Up for San Jose State Showdown
Quarterback Dynamics
Taron Dickens leads Northern Illinois from the quarterback position with a consistent presence on the field. He has attempted 247 passes this season, accumulating 1,617 yards through the air. Despite his efforts, the team has struggled, evidenced by their current record.
Backup QB Jalen Macon has seen limited action, featuring in two games with 13 pass attempts. While he hasn't thrown any touchdowns, he has managed to contribute to the team’s passing game when called upon. His experience on the field might be crucial in case of an emergency.
Rushing Attack
Telly Johnson Jr. spearheads the Huskies' ground game, rushing for 574 yards over eight games. His ability to break through defenses, scoring five touchdowns, is a highlight for the team’s offense.
Elijah Porter has also contributed significantly with 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The combination of Johnson and Porter provides the Huskies with a dual-threat on the ground, although their offensive line has been inconsistent.
Receiving Corps
DeAree Rogers is a standout performer among the Huskies' receivers, with 64 receptions for 633 yards and five touchdowns. His performance is crucial for Northern Illinois, offering a reliable target downfield.
La'Don Bryant and George Dimopoulos have also been integral, combining for nearly 600 receiving yards. Each has recorded a touchdown, showcasing the depth in the receiving unit that can pose a threat to opposing defenses.
Betting Trends
- O/U - All Games: Last 3 Games (2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U - After Loss: Last 3 Games (2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U - Totals ≥ 50: Last 25 Games (2021–2026) → 17-8 (68.0%)
- ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 6 Games (2023–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
As they prepare to take on San Jose State, Northern Illinois will need to leverage their strengths while addressing their weaknesses. The team's betting trends indicate a pattern of exceeding expectations in games with higher point totals, suggesting potential for offensive bursts.
San Jose State vs Northern Illinois Week 10 Prediction: Over 52.0
San Jose State has shown some offensive capabilities this season, ranking 35th in passing yards with 2051, which can be a crucial factor in racking up points against Northern Illinois. Their recent performance in games with totals over 50 shows a perfect record, indicating a propensity for higher-scoring games. Additionally, their defense has allowed an average of 22.33 points per game this season, providing an opportunity for Northern Illinois to put some points on the board.
Northern Illinois has had a tough season, but they've still managed to score 130 points in their games so far. They're ranked 101st in points for, which indicates that while they may struggle, they still find the end zone. Moreover, Northern Illinois has consistently gone over in their last three games, showing a trend toward higher-scoring contests.
The consensus total of 52.0 reflects the potential for a high-scoring game between these two teams. Northern Illinois has consistently been able to score, even in losses, and San Jose State's tendency to hit the over when the total is above 50 further supports this prediction. These trends point towards an offensive shootout at CEFCU Stadium.
Given the offensive capabilities of San Jose State and Northern Illinois's knack for participating in high-scoring games, the 'Over' on the 52.0-point total is the more compelling play. Look for a score where both teams contribute significantly to surpass the total, resulting in a projected score of San Jose State 35 - Northern Illinois 27.
- San Jose State vs Northern Illinois Prediction: Over 52.0
- San Jose State vs Northern Illinois Score: San Jose State 35 - Northern Illinois 27
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