Despite both teams having a winning record, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan will be fighting to get out of the bottom of the MAC West standings. It’s a competitive division with no true cellar-dwellers, and Tuesday night’s game is expected to be yet another tight matchup.
This game will also help determine the “Michigan MAC trophy," awarded to one of the three MAC teams hailing from the state. Will Western Michigan or Eastern Michigan gain some ground in this closely-lined MACtion in-state showdown?
Check out our picks and predictions for the Western Michigan Broncos vs. the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Tuesday, November 16.
Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Western Michigan opened at -4.5 and the line has moved to -5.5 at the time of this writing. The total opened at 69, but has shifted down to 67.5 at some spots. Be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan predictions
Predictions made on 11/15/2021 at 7:04 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan game info
• Location: Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI
• Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2021
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN 2
Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Western Michigan: Dashon Bussel WR (Out).
Eastern Michigan: Bryson Cannon TE (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Broncos are 1-7-1 in their last 9 conference games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan. Find more NCAA betting trends for Western Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan.
Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
Western Michigan has been majorly overvalued in the betting market over the last month, failing to cover the spread by at least 20 points in each of its last three games. First, the Broncos lost 34-15 as 1.5-point favorites against Toledo. They followed that up with a 42-30 loss to Central Michigan despite being favored by 9 points. And most recently, they narrowly edged out Akron 45-40 despite being huge 26-point favorites.
If we go back to October 9, the Broncos were blown out 45-20 by Ball State despite being favored by nearly two touchdowns — failing to cover the spread by 38.5 points! In their last four non-covers, they’ve failed to cover the spread by an average margin of 25.25. It’s not that they’re a bad team — they’re simply being overvalued.
Nothing about this Western Michigan team of late has inspired confidence that it can cover the spread as a favorite on the road. The Broncos appear to be the superior team, but that simply hasn’t been the case as far as the product on the field and the numbers on the scoreboard are concerned.
Eastern Michigan looks improved in 2021 with Cincinnati transfer Ben Bryant at quarterback. He’s completing 69.7% of his passes on the season and has racked up over 300 yards in three of his last four games. The Eagles have a 6-4 record on the season and will be fighting hard at home against an in-state rival.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan +5.5 (-108)
Over/Under analysis
Western Michigan has been flying Over the total recently, with 72 combined points against Central Michigan and 85 against Akron. The offense, led by quarterback Caleb Eleby and a trio of dangerous receivers (Skyy Moore, Corey Crooms, Jaylen Hall), is dangerous, and the rushing game should also find success against an Eagles rushing defense ranked 107th in the country, allowing 194.9 yards per game. It could be another big day for running back Sean Tyler, who had over 160 total yards and two scores last week to go along with a kick return touchdown.
Still, we like Eastern Michigan to score at will against a Western Michigan defense that just allowed 40 points to a bad Akron team. The week before that, the Broncos allowed Central Michigan to rack up an efficient 7.5 yards per play. The Broncos’ defensive numbers look decent when evaluating a full-season sample, but the cracks have started to show in some high-scoring affairs.
Prediction: Over 67.5 (-112)
Best bet
We can’t get over the fact that Western Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games and has failed to cover the spread by an average margin of over 25 points.
This is an in-state rivalry game, and we’re getting points with the home team despite the two playing at a relatively similar level this season. The market does not appear to have adjusted quickly enough to the Broncos’ money-burning ways of late.
We’ll take the points with the home team.
Pick: Eastern Michigan +5.5 (-108)
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