MACtion Betting Preview: Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan Odds & Prediction (Nov. 7)
Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Western Michigan quarterback Hayden Wolff.
Central Michigan vs Western Michigan Odds
| Central Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 58 -110 / -110 | +130 |
| Western Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 58 -110 / -110 | -160 |
The Battle for the Cannon kicks off MACtion this week with Western Michigan hosting Central Michigan on Tuesday night.
Although the rivalry dates back to 1907, the Victory Cannon Trophy started in 2008. WMU has held the trophy nine times compared to CMU’s six.
The Broncos also hold the all-time lead with a record of 52-39-2 in the heated rivalry. This year’s winner also claims the Michigan MAC Trophy.
Who doesn’t love a midweek rivalry game in the MAC? Let’s dive into this game to find the best betting value on the board.
Putting the rivalry aside, this is a very important game for Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain, who's searching for his third bowl appearance in the last four years with the program.
With Ohio and Toledo left to close out the schedule, this game is crucial for the Chippewas and their bowl bid.
CMU put up one of its best performances of the year last week on a snowy Halloween night, defeating Northern Illinois, 37-31. The Chippewas rushed for a season-high 331 yards, 7.0 yards per carry and four rushing touchdowns.
The standout performer in the win was running back Marion Lukes, who earned MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors. Lukes racked up a career-high 202 rushing yards on an average of 9.6 yards per carry.
Since 2019, Central Michigan has gone 12-3 in November, and McElwain needs that to continue to add another bowl trip to his resume.
In the offseason, Western Michigan decided to go in a new direction by bringing in former Louisville offensive coordinator Lance Taylor to lead the program.
This is his first season as a head coach, and it has not gone to plan. However, the Broncos did pull off a dominant win in their last game against Eastern Michigan.
One key to the victory was WMU’s opportunistic defense, which recorded two safeties. The school had not had two safeties in a season since 2011.
In addition to those two-pointers, Western Michigan also scored a touchdown on a strip-sack and racked up 10 tackles for loss.
On the offensive side of the ball, everything goes through Kenneth Womack who leads the MAC in receptions per game with 6.0. He is also in the Top 25 in the country in the stat, and Womack will need this to continue to give the Broncos a chance.
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Central Michigan and Western Michigan match up statistically:
Central Michigan Offense vs. Western Michigan Defense
 | Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 65 | 69 | |
| Line Yards | 52 | 115 | |
| Pass Success | 110 | 96 | |
| Havoc | 74 | 45 | |
| Finishing Drives | 22 | 105 | |
| Quality Drives | 102 | 118 |
Western Michigan Offense vs. Central Michigan Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 82 | 122 | |
| Line Yards | 72 | 125 | |
| Pass Success | 84 | 125 | |
| Havoc | 33 | 127 | |
| Finishing Drives | 52 | 115 | |
| Quality Drives | 103 | 110 |
Pace of Play / Other
| ||
| PFF Tackling | 66 | 95 |
| PFF Coverage | 102 | 60 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 121 | 55 |
| Middle 8 | 107 | 128 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.0 (84) | 24.6 (26) |
| Rush Rate | 58.3% (33) | 55.6% (30) |
Central Michigan vs Western Michigan
Betting Pick & Prediction
When I dove into this game, I thought the spread and total were both right on the mark. However, I did find a play I liked in the props market.
So, my best bet is for Western Michigan to be leading at halftime on the three-way moneyline at -120 odds at FanDuel. If you want the push protection, you can take the -140 being offered.
WMU is one of the more profitable teams in the country in the first half, ranking sixth nationally with a first-half against-the-spread record of 7-2.
In MAC play, this same bet would have cashed in three of its five games so far, including at Toledo in the conference opener.
Meanwhile, Central Michigan has not gotten off to fast starts on the road. The Chippewas were down by 16 at Buffalo, which happened before it trailed by a touchdown at Ball State.
As you can see above, this is the same CMU team that's outside the top 100 in nearly all defensive metrics.
It was also announced that Central Michigan will be down two players who were suspended for the first half after a scuffle in last week’s game. Keep an eye on the duo, which might get announced closer to kickoff.
With WMU unlikely to make a bowl game, the Broncos can salvage their season by scooping two rivalry trophies with this win on Tuesday night.
Pick: Western Michigan 1H ML (-120)
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