Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Matt McDonald Dominate Wednesday Night MACtion?

Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Matt McDonald Dominate Wednesday Night MACtion?

The Mid-American conference has come to the rescue for college football fans once again with the yearly mid-week action that has become famously known as "MACtion." Tonight's doubleheader features NIU taking on Central Michigan at home while Bowling Green hosts Western Michigan. We are focusing on the latter in this picks article.

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Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: November 2
• Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN2

Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Odds

• Spread: Bowling Green -5 (-110), Western Michigan +5 (-108)
• Total: Over 48 (-110), Under 48 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bowling Green (-205), Western Michigan (+184)

Click here for Bowling Green vs Western Michigan odds

Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Prediction

Bowling Green may finally have their first bowl game since 2015 this season. Bowling Green has started its conference schedule with a 3-1 record and only needs two more wins to become bowl eligible. It looks like they should be able to do that this season, but a home game against Western Michigan is much needed to make sure they stay above .500. Along with a 3-1 start to their conference schedule, Bowling Green notched a victory over Marshall, a game in which they were 17-point underdogs.

What has really stood out about this Bowling Green team is the defense. The Falcons have held their last two opponents to 13 and 18 points while allowing Matt McDonald to win the game through the air. Senior quarterback Matt McDonald has 1,620 passing yards on the season with a 58.6% completion percentage and has thrown 16 touchdowns to just three interceptions. McDonald will face a Broncos defense that ranks 98th in passing success and 81st in coverage. Although the defense only has five takeaways on the season, they rank 9th in the pass rush and 26th in opponent rush success. The pass rush should be critical for this defense tonight.

Western Michigan starting quarterback Jack Salopek was out last week with an injury, and the Broncos won 16-10. It appears Salopek will be back this week, but his numbers haven't been very good this season. Salopek has 1,231 passing yards on the season with a 50.8% completion percentage and 6.4 yard average per completion. He has thrown just seven touchdowns with 10 interceptions. The offensive line also has not helped him out much, as he has been sacked 22 times in six games. The Bronco's offensive line ranks 104th in pass blocking, which may prove to be a deadly matchup against this Falcon's defensive line. Falcons defensive lineman Karl Brooks is tied for second in the FBS with 7.5 sacks on the season. The Falcons will bring pressure all night, and Salopek has not thrived under pressure. He has a 39.4 passer rating under pressure and a 3.36% big-time throw percentage to 5.37% turnover-worthy plays per PFF.

The Broncos will also operate tonight without their leading touchdown scorer on the season, running back La'Darius Jefferson. Jefferson leads the team with five touchdowns, and while they still have leading rusher Sean Tyler, Jefferson has been a key threat in the red zone this season.

Even with a high total of 57, I expect the defense to win the game for Bowling Green tonight. They should be able to get lots of pressure on Salopek, who has been sacked 3.6 times per game on average and now faces one of the best defensive linemen in the country. Bowling Green has looked excellent in conference play, and the defense has stepped up over the past few games. The Falcons finally look like they have a shot at returning to a bowl game, and that motivation should get them the cover at home against an underwhelming Broncos team.

Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Pick

• 2U Pick: Bowling Green -5 (-110) (Bet $100 to collect $190) Click here for the best odds, available at DraftKings