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Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Prediction, Picks & Odds: Week 13

Mike Spector

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 9:08 AM EST • 3 min 56 sec read.

Central Michigan Chippewas kicker Tristan Mattson celebrates with punter David Chapeau as we make our best Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan prediction.
Central Michigan Chippewas kicker Tristan Mattson celebrates with punter David Chapeau after kicking a field goal. Photo by: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images.

The Western Michigan Broncos’ MAC championship hopes were dealt a serious blow last week. Now, they face the Central Michigan Chippewas as road favorites in the Battle for the Victory Cannon on Tuesday night.

  • Western Michigan dropped to 4-2 in MAC play with a 31-13 loss to Bowling Green last week
  • The Broncos are one game behind three other teams who start the week 5-1 in league play
  • Central Michigan is looking to snap a two-game home losing streak and a five-game overall losing streak

Our Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan prediction advises backing the home underdog Chippewas at anything more than a touchdown, as the Broncos should still be licking their wounds after last week’s crushing loss.

The below picks are part of our college football Week 13 predictions. 

Best Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan picks

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: Central Michigan +7.5 (-110 via FanDuel) vs. Western Michigan ⭐⭐⭐
  • My best bet: Kenneth Womack Over 54.5 receiving yards (-114 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan against the spread prediction: Week 13

Central Michigan to cover the spread: +7.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan opening odds:

  • Western Michigan: -8.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
  • Central Michigan: +8.5 (--110 via FanDuel)

What’s the Broncos' motivation level?

Western Michigan had its path to the MAC Championship Game laid out before it, knowing a win against a fellow 4-1 Bowling Green team would have buoyed its chances massively. Instead, the Broncos fell behind 31-7 midway through the fourth quarter and were out-gained by 110 total yards.

Not only is Western Michigan one game behind three other teams for first place in the conference, but it now does not own the tiebreaker against one of the teams it is chasing. 

While Central Michigan’s losing streak is three games longer than Western Michigan’s, the Chippewas will be inspired on Senior Day in its last home game as it honors 21 seniors.

Despite being eliminated from bowl contention, Central Michigan should be respected. It lost by two points at home against a now 5-1-0 Ohio team and covered as a 16-point underdog against another team tied for first place, Bowling Green.

The Chippewas’ 1-5 record has much to do with the fact that they will have played five of the top six teams in the league after this week, while three of Western Michigan’s four league wins are against teams that are a combined 3-15 in MAC play. 

Western Michigan defense a liability

Western Michigan entered last week with the 16th-highest rushing rate among FBS teams, but that heavy run usage only resulted in a 56th-ranked Rush Success Rate.

The Broncos look to run frequently to keep their porous defense off the field as much as possible.

Western Michigan entered last week ranked outside the top 100 in Rush and Pass Success Rate allowed. It has allowed 400 yards of total offense in four of its last five games. In addition, the Broncos have held just one team below 21 points all season. 

Central Michigan has rotated between three quarterbacks this season. But while it may not have the most feared passing attack, it entered last week ranked 29th in Rush Success Rate and 31st in Line Yards, led by running back Marion Lukes.

I trust the Chippewas defense more in this matchup, especially at home, as they entered their game against Toledo ranked in the top 35 in Havoc and the top 50 in Finishing Drives allowed. 

This line has come down a point from an opening number of +8.5, but I am still backing the Chippewas at anything more than a touchdown with three stars of confidence.

Best odds: -110 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan best bet

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Kenneth Womack Over 54.5 receiving yards (-114) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Womack’s 76 receptions were 20 more than any player in the MAC had last year, and he finished second in receiving yards. This year, Womack is again the Broncos leading receiver in terms of yards, and has gone over this projected total in three of his last four games.

Central Michigan’s defense is vulnerable to the big play, entering last week ranked 128th in Explosiveness allowed. In addition, the Chippewas are more beatable through the air, as evidenced by their ranking 73rd in Rush Success Rate allowed versus 94th in Pass Success Rate allowed.

If Womack records 55 or more receiving yards, a $10 winning wager through FanDuel’s -114 odds would pay out $18.77

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan game info

  • When: Tuesday, Nov. 19
  • Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (Mount Pleasant, Mich.)
  • How to watch: ESPN2
  • Weather: 52 degrees, 60% chance of precipitation, wind 8 mph SE
  • Favorite: Western Michigan -7.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”