The 23rd ranked Northern Illinois Huskies take on the Utah State Aggies in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 p.m. start time tonight and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Huskies as a small favorite to win the game.

Northern Illinois had their dream season ended in the MAC title game by Bowling Green. But remember, they also played in a BCS game last year and got whacked by Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The Huskies finished with 12 wins this season while Utah State finished 8-5. Had Chuckie Keeton played the entire season it might have been a different story for Utah State, but they did go 5-2 without their play-making quarterback.

Bowling Green dominated the MAC title game and made Jordan Lynch look very pedestrian. He's not a very good deep ball passing quarterback, but makes up for that with his ability to run. Utah State has a very good defense, much like Bowling Green. How many adjustments will Lynch and Northern Illinois be able to make from their last game? That will determine how this game goes.

The Huskies did exploit the Bowling Green later in the contest, scoring 27 points against a team that was giving up just a pair of touchdowns heading into that game. Other than Indiana's 42 and Toledo's 28 points, the 27 put up by the Huskies were the most given up by Bowling Green this season.

This is Lynch's last game and we expect them to be able to put up some points. The Huskies average almost 42 points a game and are one of the best running teams in the country with 312.5 yards per game on the ground.

Could Northern Illinois be set up for a letdown in this spot? The Aggies have given up just eight rushing touchdowns this season, but will they be bale to corral Lynch? The senior quarterback has led Northern Illinois to a 24-3 record the past two seasons.

We like Lynch to bounce back in his final game and lead the Huskies to a victory. They were the first MAC squad to beat two Big Ten schools in the same season, so they are battle tested. Utah State played a much softer schedule. That will come into play in this contest.

Free Pick: Northern Illinois 31, Utah State 27

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