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The second game of the 2021-22 college football bowl schedule kicks off Friday as the Northern Illinois Huskies (9-4) take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2021 Cure Bowl. NIU bounced back from a winless 2020 campaign to go 9-4 and win the MAC title in 2021. Coastal Carolina picked up double-digit victories for the season consecutive years, as Jamey Chadwell's squad followed up its 11-1 season last year with a 10-2 campaign in 2021. 

Kickoff from Orlando, Fla., is set for 6 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Chanticleers as 12-point favorites in the latest Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina odds. That's up 3.5 points from the opening line. The over-under for total points is set at 63. Before making any Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois picks, be sure to see the 2021 Cure Bowl predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters the 2021-22 college football bowl season on a 43-29 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Coastal Carolina vs. NIU and just locked in its Cure Bowl 2021 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's Cure Bowl picks. Here are the college football odds and betting trends for NIU vs. Coastal Carolina: 

  • Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina spread: Coastal Carolina -12
  • Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina over-under: 63 points   
  • Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina money line: Coastal Carolina -475, Northern Illinois +360  
  • NIU: The Huskies are 5-1 straight up in their last six home games 
  • CCU: The Chanticleers are 9-1 straight up in their previous 10 road games

Why Northern Illinois can cover

Northern Illinois has thrived against the spread in 2021. The Huskies are 8-4-1 ATS overall, and few teams have covered more. Their 4-2 road record ATS proves they can perform in unfamiliar territory. The favorites have just a 6-6 record ATS. The Chanticleers have failed to cover in three of their five games away from home, and this spread has continued to climb after opening at -9.5, giving NIU more points to work with.

The Huskies have one of the country's most productive rushing attacks. They totaled 3,044 rushing yards during the regular season, and that mark ranks fourth in the FBS. The Huskies have also amassed 33 rushing touchdowns. Only eight programs have tallied more. Northern Illinois has generated more rushing first downs than every team but Air Force and Kent State. If it moves the chains on Friday, it can keep the Cure Bowl's score close. 

Why Coastal Carolina can cover

Coastal Carolina is only 6-6 ATS, but has pulled off quite a few convincing wins. Seven of the Chanticleers' 10 wins have been by double-digit margins. With quarterback Grayson McCall leading the way, their talent on offense is undeniable, and the Huskies' defense has struggled to get stops against elite scoring teams. 

The Chanticleers are averaging a ridiculous 40.4 points per game in 2021 and that mark ranks sixth in the country. They're efficiency on the ground and through the air has helped them amass a total of 63 offensive touchdowns. Only six programs have reached the end zone more this season. Northern Illinois has lost four of the five games it has given up at least 38 points in and will need to buckle down to make the Cure Bowl competitive.

How to make Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 65 points. It also says one side of the spread hits in 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the model's Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina in the 2021 Cure Bowl on Friday? And which side of the spread hits in 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,700 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.