Saturday, September 3, 2016

Ryan Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Western Michigan Broncos take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Ryan Field. The opening line for this game has Northwestern as 6.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 56. Last season the Broncos were 8-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record was 7-5-1. The Wildcats had an over/under record of 5-8-0 and they were 8-5-0 against the spread.

Western Michigan scored 36 points per game on offense last season, which ranked 26th in Division 1. In the passing department, they averaged 21 passes on 31.1 attempts for a 67.6 percent completion percentage last season. They threw for a total of 287.1 yards per game through the air as well, which ranked them 26th in college football. The Broncos ran for an average of 203.7 yards per game on 40.5 attempts for an average of 5 yards per carry. That ranked them 29th in the nation. They also ran 71.5 plays per contest and averaged 6.9 yards per play for an average of 490.8 yards per game, ranking their offense 17th overall last season. The Broncos averaged 23.7 first downs per game which ranked them 23rd in the country. They accumulated 57.9 penalty yards per game via 6.2 penalties, which ranked 46th in the nation.

Western Michigan allowed 232.6 passing yards per game, ranking 73rd in D-1, and they allowed 28.3 points per contest on defense, which ranked 81st. They gave up 17.4 completions on 31.1 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 55.9. The Broncos allowed 181.1 rushing yards per game on 34.5 carries for a 5.3 average per play, which ranked their rush defense 77th in the country. Western Michigan allowed 413.7 total yards per game including 6.3 yards per play, which ranked their overall defense 82nd in terms of yards per game. They forced 1.4 turnovers per contest and got flagged for 5.5 penalties for 44.8 yards per game, ranking them 23rd among D-1 teams.

Northwestern averaged 19.5 points per game last season on offense, which ranked them 114th in the country. In the passing department, they completed 13.4 passes per game on 27.1 attempts for a 49.4 percent completion percentage. They threw for 138.5 yards through the air per game last year, ranking them 120th in Division 1. The Wildcats ran for an average of 188.5 yards per game on 46.2 attempts for an average of 4.1 yards per carry last season, which ranked them 43rd on the ground. They also ran 73.2 plays per game and averaged 4.5 yards per play for a total of 327.1 yards per game, ranking them 117th in the country on offense. The Wildcats got an average of 17.8 first downs per game, which ranked 108th in the nation. They averaged 39.7 penalty yards per game via 4.5 penalties, ranking them 116th in college football.

Northwestern allowed an average of 192.8 passing yards yards per game, which ranked 24th in Division 1. Their defense overall allowed 18.6 points per contest, which had them ranked 12th in the nation. They gave up 18.8 completions on 34.8 attempts for a completion percentage of 54 per game. The Wildcats allowed 126.2 rushing yards per contest on 35.6 carries for a 3.5 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 21st in the country. Northwestern allowed 318.9 total yards per game for an average of 4.5 yards per play, which ranked 13th in D-1. They forced 1.6 turnovers per contest and 4.6 penalties for 41.5 yards in each contest, ranking 13th in the nation.

Zach Terrell finished his last game of last season with 297 yards through the air for Western Michigan. He completed 18 passes out of 26 attempts for a 69% completion percentage. The Broncos were led in rushing by Jamauri Bogan, who finished with 215 yards on 19 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 11 yards per carry. Corey Davis was the team leader in receiving with a total of 183 yards and 8 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 23 yards per reception. As a team in that game Western Michigan got a total of 18 first downs by way of 10 rushing, 8 passing, and 0 by penalty. They ran 68 total plays for 613 yards for the game. The Broncos ran for 282 yards on 41 attempts.

Zack Oliver finished his last game of last season with 72 yards through the air for Northwestern. He completed 6 passes out of 13 attempts for a 46% completion percentage. The Wildcats were led in rushing by Justin Jackson, who finished with 74 yards on 14 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 5 yards per carry. Pierre Youngblood-Ary was the team leader in receiving with a total of 33 yards and 2 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 17 yards per reception. Northwestern got a total of 18 first downs by way of 10 rushing, 5 passing, and 3 by penalty. They ran 70 total plays for 261 yards for the game. The Wildcats ran for 132 yards on 37 attempts.

Western Michigan Betting Trends

Western Michigan were 7-5-1 against the over/under last season

Western Michigan had an ATS record of 8-5-0 last season

Northwestern Betting Trends

Northwestern were 5-8-0 against the over/under last season

Northwestern had an ATS record of 8-5-0 last season

Injuries to Watch

Western Michigan

No key injuries to report

Northwestern

08/19/16 DB Keith Watkins II Knee out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Western Michigan

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