The Western Michigan Broncos (-8.5) aren’t traveling far to face their in-conference counterpart Eastern Michigan Eagles at Rynearson Stadium. The game will get going at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Western Michigan Broncos at Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan is a big underdog in this MAC matchup and is currently getting 8.5 points. The Broncos are also receiving -350 moneyline odds while the Eagles are +270. If one team can create a bunch of points early it’ll create a decent live betting scenario. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 61.5 points.
Sharp bettors tend to be siding with both the Eagles and the over. This opening line was initially set at 9.5 while the over/under was originally only 58.5.
The Broncos have gained 0.0 units so far and are 3-3-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 2-5.
The Eagles are down 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and own an O/U record of 3-2-1.
The Broncos are 4-3 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against MAC opponents. The Eagles are 3-3 SU overall and 0-2 SU in conference play.
The Broncos are coming off a resounding 38-16 win over Miami (OH) last week. Jon Wassink completed 15 passes for just 137 yards, two scores and one interception. LeVante Bellamy (135 yards on 22 rush attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the ground attack in the win. Keith Mixon Jr. (three receptions, 84 yards, two TDs) and Bellamy (three catches, five yards) handled the receiving duties.
Eastern Michigan just fell 29-23 to Ball State. The defensive unit allowed the Cardinals to eat up the clock by rushing for 196 yards on 47 attempts, including two rush TDs. Caleb Huntley put up a solid outing, recording 152 rushing yards on 29 attempts for Ball State. For Eastern Michigan, Mike Glass III completed 20-of-34 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Glass III (36 rushing yards on 13 attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Dylan Drummond (six receptions, 72 yards) and Arthur Jackson III (three catches, 48 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Western Michigan has run the ball on 50.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Eastern Michigan has a rush percentage of 45.4 percent. The Broncos have rushed for 183.7 yards per game (including 159.3 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 17 scores via handoffs this year. The Eagles are putting up 93.7 rush yards per game (76 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
The Broncos offensive scheme has averaged 276.7 yards through the air overall (228 per game versus conference opposition) and has 15 passing TDs so far. The Eagles have put up 270.8 pass yards per outing (253 against MAC competition) and have 14 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Western Michigan has allowed 190.6 rush yards and 246.9 pass yards per game. The Eastern Michigan defense has allowed 264.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 183.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Broncos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.21 to opponents, while the Eagles have given up a 7.05 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wassink has amassed 1,603 passing yards this season. He’s completed 63 percent of his 182 attempts with 12 passing scores and five interceptions. Wassink has an 8.20 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.54 over the last two games.
Mike Glass III has completed 123-of-184 passes for 1,403 yards, 13 TDs and seven INTs for Eastern Michigan. His ANY/A stands at 6.84 for the year and 4.20 across his last two games.
When these two programs faced one another last year, Western Michigan knocked off Eastern Michigan by a field goal 27-24.
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Pick
SU Winner: Western Michigan, ATS Winner: Western Michigan, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Western Michigan defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times this year. Eastern Michigan has recorded just 13 sacks.
- Eastern Michigan has lost three fumbles this season while Western Michigan has lost four.
- The Broncos offense has tallied eight pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Eagles have accounted for three such plays.
- The Western Michigan defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40+ yards, while Eastern Michigan has given up eight such plays.
- The Western Michigan offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Eastern Michigan has created three such runs.
- The Broncos defense has allowed 14 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Eagles have given up seven such runs.
- The Over/Under for Eastern Michigan’s last matchup was 57. The under cashed in that 29-23 loss to Ball State.
- In its last three matchups, Eastern Michigan is 0-3 ATS.
- In its last three matches, Western Michigan is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Western Michigan’s previous game was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the team’s 38-16 victory over Miami (OH).
- Western Michigan, as a team, has averaged 4.5 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 4.2 over its last two.
- Eastern Michigan has averaged 2.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.5 over its last two.
