Western Michigan vs. Syracuse Prediction
Can the Western Michigan Broncos earn a big win at home to open the season when they welcome the Syracuse Orange to town tonight at 6PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
143 Syracuse at 144 Western Michigan
Friday, August 31, 2018
6PM ET – Waldo Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Syracuse is favored on the road, as the Orange are getting odds of -4.5 points against Western Michigan. The over/under total is currently listed at 65 points. The public betting for this game currently has 52 percent going on Syracuse on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Western Michigan hits .500
The Western Michigan football team had a positive 2017 season while going through transition of a new coach. Former player Tim Lester guided the Broncos to a 6-6 record. They dropped three of their last four and didn’t make a bowl game. WMU was 5-7 against the spread and 8-4 with the over.
The Broncos had a pretty good offense last year, averaging 33.9 points per game, while the defense gave up 29 points per contest. Jon Wassink played pretty well under center before an injury ended his season early. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He returns his top receiver from a year ago in D’Wayne Eskridge, as well as Keishawn Watson, who caught seven touchdowns in 2017. WMU has a tough hole to fill at RB, as Jarvion Franklin rushed for 1,228 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
Syracuse whimpered to end of 2017
Syracuse lost its last five games of the season to finish the year at 4-8 overall. It was the second straight 4-8 season for head coach Dino Babers. The Orange were 6-5-1 against the spread in 2017 with a 9-2-1 mark with the under.
Defense was the problem for Syracuse last season, as the Orange gave up 32.2 points per contest. The offense put up 27.4 points per game, which was enough to be competitive. Syracuse returns quarterback Eric Dungey for his senior year. He threw for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2017 and also had nine interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 595 yards and nine scores. Dungey will need to find new favorite targets as gone are Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips, who combined for 194 catches for 2,251 yards and 11 touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Western Michigan
Western Michigan has covered the spread in four straight games against ACC opponents and in nine of their last 12 non-conference games.
Syracuse
Syracuse is 15-3-1 against the spread in their last 19 games against MAC opponents, but just 1-4 ATS in their last five games in August.
Prediction:
This is a tough draw for Syracuse. Not often will a power-5 conference team go on the road to face a MAC opponent. This is a game that will get a lot of hype for the Broncos. They come into their second year with a new coach, but a lot of the players on the roster know how to win from their amazing 2016 campaign. I think that experience gives them the edge at home against a Syracuse team that has struggled a great deal under Babers.
College Football Prediction: Western Michigan +4.5