Northern Illinois Faces Iowa in College Football Betting Preview

Northern Illinois is set to face Iowa in a college football matchup, marking a significant transition for the Huskies as they join the Mountain West Conference after previously competing in the MAC. This change comes after a history of success in the MAC, where they secured five conference titles since 2011.

The Huskies are entering the season under the interim leadership of Rob Harley, who took over after former head coach Thomas Hammock left for an NFL position. Harley's first challenge will be against Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in FBS, who is beginning his 28th season.

Iowa's defense, traditionally a strong point, faces challenges with the loss of several key players. Despite these changes, the Hawkeyes are expected to maintain their defensive strategy, which relies on limiting opponents' scoring. The betting line favors Iowa significantly, with Northern Illinois receiving a 31.5-point spread.