The Western Michigan Broncos have been one of the most dominant small-school programs in the country this season. They will aim to remain undefeated in a Week 12 matchup with the Buffalo Bulls.
Western Michigan has rolled past a number of conference foes with ease already and now faces a team which has struggled to a 2-8 mark. It’s all lining up toward a blowout victory, but just how big that margin is will determine which side covers the spread.
This contest in Week 12 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 19, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Waldo Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo +34.5
Western Michigan -34.5
Odds Analysis
The spread is extremely high and Western Michigan will need to excel from start to finish in order to cover. The gamblers are split on which side will emerge with the victory against the spread, as an even 50 percent has taken each side.
The Broncos are 10-0 straight up and 7-3 against the spread this season. They haven’t been as impressive at home where the line was higher, as they are 2-2 in those games.
Buffalo is just 3-7 against the spread and 0-4 attempting to cover away from home even though it has been the underdog in most of those matchups.
Player to Watch
Jarvion Franklin - The Western Michigan running back has rushed for 100 yards or more the last six games in a row coming into this matchup. Last week in the Broncos’ win against Kent State, Franklin had 31 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown.
This season, he has rushed for 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns and he is a big part of this offense. Earlier this season in the win against Akron, the junior broke the school record for single-game rushing yards with 33 carries for 281 yards.
He is averaging 5.6 yards a carry right now and will be a big test for Buffalo this week.
Key Stat
44.4. That’s how many points the Western Michigan is averaging this season. The offense ranks No. 7 in the country for points per game.
The offense has been balanced this season and the running game and passing game have combined to light up the scoreboard. The Broncos have scored 40 or more points in seven of their ten wins and scored a season-high 70 points against North Carolina Central on September 10th.
Quarterback Zach Terrell has thrown for 2,445 yards with 23 touchdowns and just one interception. Wide receiver Corey Davis is already past 1,000 yards receiving.
Free ATS Pick
There is no easier pick to win a game this weekend than a dominant Central Michigan team at home against this two-win Buffalo squad.
However, it must be determined how big the margin of victory will be. Buffalo is averaging only 17.9 points per game while giving up 32.3 per contest. The Bulls have only picked up one victory in their past five games, a 41-20 victory over Akron.
Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson has as many interceptions (9) as touchdowns on the season and a poor performance could result in a blowout defeat. Western Michigan is a legitimately great small-conference team, as it has a win over Northwestern among its season victories.
The Broncos will emerge from this one still undefeated, and even though the spread is super high, expect them to cover. The offense should get rolling quickly while the defense snuffs out the majority of Buffalo’s drives.
Western Michigan has a tall task in getting ahead by five touchdowns but expect it to happen. The talent gap is just too overwhelming for Buffalo to hang around in this matchup.
College Football Odds: Western Michigan 47, Buffalo 10
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