Sure, there was an intense rivalry game in East Lansing on Saturday. But one of the most heated rivalries in Michigan comes Wednesday, when Western Michigan plays host to Central Michigan with the Victory Cannon on the line.
The Broncos have owned the rivalry as of late. Can the Chippewas pull off an upset to turn the tide as the MACtion college football odds rain down with midweek November games?
Central Michigan at Western Michigan Football: MACtion Odds
Oddsmakers favor Western Michigan big
Oddsmakers are seeing the rivalry game being a bit one-sided this year.
Western Michigan was listed early on as a 10-point to 10.5-point favorite against Central Michigan this week. However, by game morning, the spread was down to 9 points at most Michigan sportsbooks.
On the moneyline, WMU is ranging from –380 to -400, while the Chippewas are ranging from +290 to +310.
The over/under is also a little all over the board, ranging from 62.5 to 63.5 points.
Central Michigan comes into this rivalry game 3-5 against the spread and with the under hitting five times. Western Michigan is 4-3-1 against the spread and also has seen the under go 5-3.
WMU leads 51-38-2 in the all-time series with CMU. The Broncos have won three straight and eight of the past 10 in this series. However, Central’s last two wins have come in Kalamazoo (2017, 2013).
Six of the last 10 games have seen Western win by double figures.
Michigan betting promos, odds boosts for Central-Western
Fox Bet Sportsbook is coming through with an odds boost for Michigan sports bettors, especially those who like the Chippewas to score early.
Central Michigan is boosted to score the first touchdown in the game to +200 (up from +175).
Caesars Sportsbook also has the parlay of Central Michigan winning and over 67.5 points boosted to +700.
How to watch: Central Michigan at Western Michigan
- What: Central Michigan (4-4, 2-2 MAC) at Western Michigan (5-3, 2-2 MAC)
- When: 7 p.m. ET, Wednesday
- Where: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo
- TV: ESPNU
- Online livestream: ESPN+
- Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network; Bronco Radio Network
CMU blows chance at first place in MAC West
Central Michigan saw its chance to get to the top of the Mid-American Conference’s West Division denied in Week 8 with a 39-38 homecoming loss to Northern Illinois.
CMU had the division’s lone unbeaten down 35-18 in the second half, but the Huskies rallied and took the lead with 54 seconds to play on a Kanon Woodill 26-yard field goal.
The two teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of offense, but the real black mark against the Chippewas in the loss was allowing 351 passing yards to NIU.
Former MSU quarterback Rocky Lombardi to throw for 348 yards and three touchdowns, both of which were season-highs.
The Chippewas didn’t have much to complain about offensively. Daniel Richardson threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, while Lew Nichols III rushed for 192 yards and two scores.
Central brings in a strong offensive to Wednesday’s rivalry, as the unit ranks 26th nationally in yards (449.5 per game) and 21st in passing yards (288 a game).
Broncos hammered at Toledo
Western Michigan has been pretty impressive this season. But when the Broncos lose, they lose big.
In Week 8, they fell to 5-3 with a 34-15 loss at Toledo. Their three losses to Toledo, Ball State and Michigan have been by a combined 77 points.
The loss to the Rockets saw the Broncos actually outgain Toledo 398-330, but WMU had two costly turnovers. One turned into a touchdown on a 35-yard fumble return.
Offensively, Western went scoreless in the second half and didn’t put up more than 25 yards on all but one possession in the final 30 minutes.
Kaleb Eleby struggled, going just 15 of 29 passing for 232 yards. Skyy Moore had a solid outing as his top receiver, with eight receptions for 128 yards.
In the backfield, Sean Tyler and Jaxson Kincaide led the team with 10 carries apiece, as the two combined for 90 yards.
The performance against Toledo was a far cry from WMU’s usual showing. The Broncos have averaged 432.5 yards per game as an offense and 182.9 yards per game rushing this season.
Eleby will have a chance to bounce back at home, as CMU comes in with a pass defense ranked 116th. The Chippewas allow 270.5 yards per game through the air.
