MACtion came back with a bang last week and college football bettors are ready for another helping. The best game in Week 2 sees the Toledo Rockets head to Western Michigan to take on the Broncos.
Both the Rockets and Broncos come into this matchup 1-0 SU/ATS after crushing inferior opponents. College football odds have Western Michigan listed as 2-point home favorites, but with this being the first real test for either team, who has the edge?
Let’s take a look at our best college football predictions for Toledo at Western Michigan, with kickoff scheduled for Wednesday, November 11 at 8:00 ET.
Toledo Rockets at Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview
Weather
It will be a chilly night in Kalamazoo. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the high-30s and partly cloudy skies. There could also be a crossfield wind, but it is expected to dissipate by game time. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Toledo: Lavel Dumont OL (Out).
Western Michigan: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Historically, the underdog has been a good bet in this matchup, going 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings. Find more NCAA betting trends for Toledo vs. Western Michigan.
Full Game Side Pick
Toledo opened its season with a resounding 38-3 win over Bowling Green, covering the 24-point spread in the process, while Western Michigan was just as impressive in taking out Akron 58-13, easily cashing as 19.5-point chalk. But with both Bowling Green and Akron having two of the longest odds to win the MAC, there isn’t a whole lot we can take from those games, other than two teams doing what they were expected to do.
Toledo is a team that loves to pound the rock. Last season, only Buffalo ran for more yards than the Rockets’ 221.8 yards per game in the MAC, and that continued in their opener as they rumbled for 310 yards against Bowling Green. They are led by a dynamic duo at running back in Bryant Koback and Shakif Seymour.
But what could make the Rockets a threat to win the West Division is the development of QB Eli Peters. The junior QB started the season strong, completing 62.5 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. If he can make opponents at least have to respect the pass, Toledo could be tough to beat.
Western Michigan, on the other hand, loves to sling it all over the field. But junior QB Kaleb Eleby takes over for Jon Wassink and the Broncos will have to replace 2019 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, RB LeVante Bellamy.
Eleby had a strong start against Akron, needing just 12 completions to get 262 yards with three TDs and no picks, while the run game supported him by putting up 218 yards.
Both teams have a fair number of starters returning on defenses, which had their own set of deficiencies, but Toledo has had no problem running on Western Michigan each of the past two years—winning and covering each. With the Rockets returning more experience on offense, it shouldn’t be a problem once again.
PREDICTION: Toledo moneyline (+107)
Over/Under Pick
The team whose defense shows the most improvement in 2020 will not only have the edge in this game, but maybe for the West division crown.
Western Michigan was second in the MAC last year in allowing just 25.9 points per game but ranked only seventh when it came to total yards allowed, ranking seventh against the run and 10th against the pass. Star LB Treshaun Hayward leads this Broncos group that is returning six starters this year.
Meanwhile, Toledo was one of the two teams that were worse than the Broncos against the pass, allowing a conference-worst 252.7 yards per game. That could present a problem against a team that likes to throw it as much as the Broncos. But DE Jamal Hines will anchor a Rockets’ defensive line that is trending in the right direction.
While both defenses should show improvement this year, both offenses have the tools to attack their opponent’s weaknesses.
PREDICTION: Over 59.5 (-110)
Team to Score First Pick
Betting the underdog to score first in games with tight spreads is one of my favorite bets when wagering on college football, especially close conference battles like this one. And in last year’s matchup, Toledo went up 14-0 before Western Michigan got on the board.
We’ve mentioned that there is something to be said about the added experience the Rockets have on offense, compared to the Broncos, and that should help them settle into this tight game a little faster than the home team.
PREDICTION: Team to Score First - Toledo (-120)
Toledo vs Western Michigan Betting Card
- Toledo Moneyline (+107)
- Over 59.5 (-110)
- Team to Score First - Toledo (-120)
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