Western Michigan at Central Michigan
Kickoff 10/17/2026, 12:30:00 PM CDT · Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Mid-American / Mid-American · Week 7
Article published 10/13/2026, 12:07:25 PM CDT · last material update 10/13/2026, 12:07:25 PM CDT
Western Michigan
22.7PROJECTION
Central Michigan
20.3Model projections are estimates. Forecast timestamp 10/11/2026, 2:14:44 PM CDT · feature-data cutoff 10/11/2026, 2:14:44 PM CDT. Verified stored season-to-date statistics; descriptive comparisons are separate from the original scoring-model feature window. Comparison snapshot 10/13/2026, 12:07:25 PM CDT.
Official betting selection
Western Michigan -7
- Locked line
- -7.0
- Odds / sportsbook
- -105 · BetMGM
- Model edge
- -4.7 points
- Estimated success
- 69.5%
- Confidence
- Low
- Published
- 10/12/2026, 1:55:39 PM CDT
Policy universal-game-selection-1.0 · model SE v3.0. Empirical betting probabilities are not independently validated calibration. Authoritative tracked betting record →
Team statistics & league rankings
Season-to-date comparison · ranks use covered teams within College Football · #1 is best for each metric.
| Metric | Western Michigan | Central Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Points / game | 25.7#90 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 17.0#127 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Points allowed / game | 17.3#25 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 26.3#96 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Total yards / game | 330.7#114 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 285.0#132 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Yards allowed / game | 336.2#53 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 373.3#90 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Passing yards / game | 175.8#121 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 96.3#135 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Rushing yards / game | 154.8#71 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 188.7#42 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Yards / play | 5.44#101 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 4.94#123 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Yards allowed / play | 5.07#50 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 5.69#95 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Third-down conversion | 43.2%#55 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 36.4%#98 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Third-down conversion allowed | 40.7%#97 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 50.6%#135 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Turnovers / game | 0.33#4 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 1.67#110 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Takeaways / game | 1.00#87 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 1.83#16 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Offensive EPA / play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| EPA allowed / play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Offensive success rate | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Success rate allowed | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Red-zone scoring rate | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Turnover differential / game | 0.67#29 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 0.17#58 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Defensive sacks / game | 2.17#54 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 1.83#81 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Tackles for loss / game | 3.83#121 of 138 covered teams · 6 games | 3.33#133 of 138 covered teams · 6 games |
| Passing EPA / pass play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Rushing EPA / rush play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Explosive-play rate | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Sacks suffered / pass play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| QB hits / pass play | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Adjusted strength of schedule | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Statistical matchup analysis
Western Michigan has the higher observed scoring average: Western Michigan scores 25.7 points per game and Central Michigan scores 17.0, a 8.7-point difference. These are unadjusted season averages, not an estimate of this game's winning margin.
Western Michigan allows 17.3 points per game, compared with 26.3 for Central Michigan. Western Michigan has the stronger defensive scoring figure by 9.0 points per game. Opponent quality and game situations can affect this comparison; a better raw rank is not proof of a better adjusted defense.
Western Michigan's offense produces 330.7 yards per game; Central Michigan's defense has conceded 373.3. The 42.7-yard difference compares two observed averages rather than predicting a yardage total. Western Michigan averages 5.44 yards per play, which puts it #101 among 138 covered teams.
Central Michigan's offense produces 285.0 yards per game; Western Michigan's defense has conceded 336.2. The 51.2-yard difference compares two observed averages rather than predicting a yardage total. Central Michigan averages 4.94 yards per play, which puts it #123 among 138 covered teams.
Third-down conversion is another measurable difference: Western Michigan records 43.2%, while Central Michigan records 36.4%. Higher is better for this metric. Compare the sample counts in the table before treating a difference as stable.
Turnover differential / game is another measurable difference: Western Michigan records 0.67, while Central Michigan records 0.17. Higher is better for this metric. Compare the sample counts in the table before treating a difference as stable.
The stored production forecast is Western Michigan 22.7, Central Michigan 20.3. Western Michigan is projected to win by 2.3 points. SE v3.0 uses recent team and opponent profiles rather than just the full-season averages shown here. The college football model includes home/away context; an independently attributable home-field point adjustment is not exposed for this game, so none is claimed.
Saved sportsbook observations
Central Michigan +6.5 · FanDuel
Total 42.5 · FanDuel
Observed 10/13/2026, 7:04:42 AM CDT. Saved market observations can differ from the original locked betting line.
Final model assessment
Western Michigan is the projected winner in the original stored scoring forecast, with a 2.3-point margin and 43.0 combined points. The comparisons above describe the scoring, defensive and efficiency context for this matchup. The official selection, when published, remains the specific wager in the tracker.
Explore this matchup
Game previews · Spreadsheet entry · Tracked betting record · Western Michigan statistics · Central Michigan statistics · Mid-American previews
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Definitions, coverage & original timestamps
Game ID college-football:401866443. Article creation is not the original prediction timestamp. Original forecast 10/11/2026, 2:14:44 PM CDT; final stored pregame forecast 10/11/2026, 2:14:44 PM CDT. Rates use summed observed numerators and denominators; game averages use games with that statistic. Rankings use competition ties within the covered league population. NFL data uses regular-season games. EPA / play uses observed PBP EPA counts; success means positive EPA. Explosive plays use the source aggregation’s 20-yard passing / 10-yard rushing thresholds. CFB red-zone scoring includes field goals and touchdowns; a different NFL red-zone rate is not substituted. Quarterback hit rate is a hit proxy, not a complete pressure rate. Missing adjusted strength of schedule, pressure rates or archived inputs remain unavailable.