Duke usually rides a forceful offense into the postseason, but not this year. The Blue Devils rank a putrid 117th in yards per play. That does not bode well against Northern Illinois, whose defense is tops in the nation in negative yards per game at 8.8 and second in sacks per contest at 3.4. Duke is hamstrung by the suspension of kicker/punter Austin Parker.

NIU is accustomed to playing Power Five teams and playing them tough as underdogs. The Huskies nearly upset San Diego State this year and will not be intimidated by the Blue Devils. NIU gets my call with the points here on Tuesday evening.