In one of the best non-major bowl games, the 2021 Cure Bowl is set for Friday, and here are odds, as well as a prediction for Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina.
Of all the bowl games this weekend, the 2021 Cure Bowl is easily among the best matchups, if not the best of the weekend.
You have two Group of Five programs that were championship contenders this fall. Northern Illinois won the MAC championship, while Coastal Carolina finished 10-2 and is looking to cap its season in style with a win over the Huskies.
So you don’t have to worry about motivation in this game and there’s a chance the winner could be ranked in the final AP Top 25, which would be a big deal. Northern Illinois would clinch a 10-win season, another high-water mark, while Coastal could get win No. 11.
The combined 19 wins during the season is tied for the most of any game this weekend with Louisiana (12 wins) and Marshall (7) matching that number in the New Orleans Bowl.
The Cure Bowl is going to be well worth your time and looking ahead to Friday’s matchup, here’s a look at the odds, as well as a prediction.
Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina 2021 Cure Bowl odds
Coastal Carolina isn’t coming into the game as a conference champion but is 10-2 and lost two games by a combined five points. Therefore, Coastal is a 10.5-point favorite over Northern Illinois according to WynnBET’s odds for the Cure Bowl. The over/under is 63.5 points.
Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina 2021 Cure Bowl prediction
The Huskies put together a tremendous season. They went 0-6 a year ago but with Rocky Lombardi playing quarterback, as well as a really good running game, Northern Illinois won the MAC and has a shot at double-digit wins.
But while the Northern Illinois offense ranks 43rd in scoring, the defense is 107th and gives up more than 213 yards on the ground and through the air.
Coastal Carolina, on the other hand, ranks in the top 20 in scoring offense and defense. Grayson McCall is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with 27 total touchdowns and plenty of options to throw the ball too. The running game is solid too and there just isn’t an offense like Coastal’s in the MAC.
It will be a competitive game and it will be fairly close, but Coastal Carolina will pull away late and win the game by double digits: Coastal Carolina 45, Northern Illinois 31