MAC Championship, Western Michigan vs Ohio preview, point spread, prediction
MAC Championship: Western Michigan Broncos vs. Ohio Bobcats
In the 2013 season, P.J. Fleck’s first with the Western Michigan Broncos, his team was one loss away from posting a zero in the win column. Three years later, 1-11 seems like an impossibility for the team that Fleck has built in Kalamazoo. Now he has the Broncos in the national spotlight. More importantly, he’ll lead them into Ford Field on Friday night to face the Ohio Bobcats for the MAC Championship and to try to move to 13-0 in 2016.
There’s no real secret as to how Western Michigan has played their way to an undefeated regular season and the MAC Championship. The offense has been humming all season at Waldo Stadium and everywhere else they’ve been. Fleck’s Broncos, led by senior quarterback Zach Terrell and FBS career receiving yards record-holder Corey Davis, are ranked 14th in the country in total yards per game at 504. Moreover, they’re tied for fourth in scoring, averaging 44.8 points per game—yes, averaging.
However, it’s more than just the passing attack with Terrell and Davis that makes the offense groove. The running back duo of Jarvion Franklin Jamauri Bogan averages over 5.5 yards per carry on the season and has accounted for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. This team can beat you however you please when they have the football.
All of the talk about Western Michigan, though, shouldn’t overshadow a quality Ohio team coming out of the MAC East. Despite injuries taking out starting quarterback Greg Windham to end the regular season, Quinton Maxwell has stepped in and kept the Bobcats rolling. For the conference title game, there’s a chance that Windham could return.
Whether they get their starting quarterback in the lineup or not, this matchup is going to come down to the defense of the Bobcats. That’s been the strength of this team all season as they’ve allowed just 21.7 points per game, a mark that ranks 22nd in the country. However, not all offenses are created equal and the Broncos are a cut above. Consequently, the Ohio defense will have to play the game of their lives to stop WMU on Friday.
Odds
Point Spread: Western Michigan -18.5
Moneyline: Western Michigan -1100, Ohio +700
Point Spread: 58.5
Clearly Western Michigan is the heavy favorite, which stands to reason given their undefeated record and general dominance. However, with rumors swirling about Fleck potentially leaving and the pressure being ramped up, you have to wonder if they’ll be able to cover a line that essentially has them winning by three touchdowns. That will certainly be something else to watch from Detroit.
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Prediction
Obviously the Broncos are going to move the ball through the air with Terrell and Davis as they’re the stars of the offense. However, the key for this game is going to be Western Michigan moving the ball on the ground. Franklin has been a real weapon for Fleck’s team this season and will continue to be. Using the ground game, Western Michigan should be able to control the clock and the matchup from start to finish. When you factor that into their big-play ability with that passing game, this should be a runaway in favor of the Broncos.
Western Michigan Broncos: 45, Ohio Bobcats: 24