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Conference championship 2021 predictions and gambling bets

By Caleb Calhoun

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: The LSU Tigers hold up the 2011 SEC Championship trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 42-10 at Georgia Dome on December 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: The LSU Tigers hold up the 2011 SEC Championship trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 42-10 at Georgia Dome on December 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Dec 7, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; A large MAC sign is seen in the tunnel before the MAC Championship game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Miami Redhawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; A large MAC sign is seen in the tunnel before the MAC Championship game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Miami Redhawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Ford Field; Detroit, Mich.

Gambling odds according to WynnBET:

  • Line: Kent State -3
  • Over/Under: 74
  • Moneyline: Kent State -155; Northern Illinois +135

By far the least intriguing conference championship game of the week, you’re looking at two teams who aren’t even close to flirting with the top 25. In fact, this is the first game not involving a top 25 team on either side outside of the SEC that we’ve picked all year.

Third-year head coach Thomas Hammock has resurrected the Northern Illinois Huskies. After two losing seasons, he’s got them in the MAC title game, and 10 wins is on the table if his team can win this game and then win their bowl game. That would be a huge leap forward after going 0-6 last year, but they have to rebound from a 42-21 loss to the Western Michigan Broncos.

On the other side, the Kent State Golden Flashes already beat NIU 52-47 at home back in early November. They have one less win under fourth-year head coach Sean Lewis, but they played three Power Five teams on the road this year, so they’re much more battle-tested.

Prediction

Kent State wins with offense, offense and more offense. Coming off a 48-47 win over the Miami Redhawks in overtime, they seem to be in better shape. However, that emotional win will result in a hangover for this game. As a result, Northern Illinois will slow them down just enough to pull off the upset. Take them and the under.

Northern Illinois: 31 Kent State: 27 (Northern Illinois +3; Under 74)

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