Can the MAC put a team in a team in a major bowl game for the first time since 2012? The No. 14 Western Michigan Broncos are looking to do just that and are three regular season wins away from an undefeated campaign. Western Michigan has already knocked off two Big 10 teams and hasn’t been tested in conference play yet, defeating all opponents by at least two touchdowns. In College Football Week 11, they will take on the Kent State Golden Flashes.
This contest in Week 11 will go down Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Dix Stadium. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Western Michigan -18
Kent State +18
Odds Analysis
The Broncos are 7-2 ATS this season and have been favored in every game since their season opening win against Northwestern. Western Michigan has been the highest scoring team in the MAC this year, averaging 45.2 PPG, but that hasn’t led to a lot of overs. The over is just 5-4 in Western Michigan games this year.
Kent State is riding high after its third win of the season last week against Central Michigan. The Golden Flashes are just 3-6, but have covered some spreads and sit at 5-4 ATS. If history is any indicator, this will be a tough spot to bet Kent State. The underdog is 0-10 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
Coaching Angle
PJ Fleck is likely off to a higher-profile job next weekend, but what he has done in Kalamazoo is phenomenal. After a 1-11 inaugural season, Fleck took the Broncos to two straight bowl games and has them on the cusp of something special in 2016.
There’s no area where this team isn’t among the best in the conference is and his recruiting and coaching is a huge reason why. Fleck has recruited circles around the rest of the MAC over his four-year tenure and his boundless enthusiasm prevents letdown games from the Broncos. His mantra of “Row the Boat” has become a calling card for this team’s energy and performance.
Bettors have benefited from his coaching style too. Fleck’s Broncos are 28-19 ATS over the past four seasons.
Players to Watch
QB Zach Terrell and WR Corey Davis have been one of the most lethal combinations in the country this season and both are on their way to First Team All-MAC honors. Terrell has been the most efficient quarterback in the country with a TD-INT ratio that could go down as the best ever. He has only thrown one interception in 243 pass attempts and has thrown for 23 touchdowns in that time. It’s not like Terrell is dinking and dunking either, as his 9.72 yards per pass attempt average is one of the best in the nation.
Davis has been on the receiving end of 14 of those touchdown passes and had the best game of his career last Tuesday against Ball State. He hauled in 12 passes for a conference record 272 yards and three touchdowns and was unstoppable all night long. He has now caught a touchdown pass in six straight games and the projected first-round pick is a matchup nightmare.
Free ATS Pick
Does Kent State have a chance to knock off Western Michigan? That’s highly unlikely. Turnovers are key for an underdog in a situation like this and the Broncos just don’t turn the ball over. Western Michigan ranks better than Kent State in virtually every major category and Kent State QB Nick Holley is not a game changer.
Look for Western Michigan to roll here. Laying double digits on the road is typically a recipe for disaster, but the Broncos easily covered large spreads at Akron and at Ball State and will do so once again.
College Football Odds: Broncos 48, Golden Flashes 17
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