Massachusetts Minutemen (0-2) vs. Buffalo Bulls (1-1)
September 14, 2024 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Buffalo Bulls -4.5 / Massachusetts Minutemen +4.5; Over/Under: +45.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Umass Minutemen and Buffalo Bulls meet Saturday in week 3 college football action at UB Stadium. Here’s a Buffalo vs Massachusetts Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo vs Massachusetts Pick.
Umass Minutemen Betting Preview
The Umass Minutemen lost to Eastern Michigan and Toledo, and they play Central Connecticut next. Massachusetts hopes to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2021. Taisun Phommachanh is completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 436 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Jakobie Keeney-James and Jacquon Gibson have combined for 223 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Jalen John has 6 receptions.
The Umass Minutemen ground game is averaging 138.5 yards per contest, and Phommachanh leads the way with 101 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Umass is allowing 33 points and 316.5 yards per game. Derrieon Craig leads the Umass Minutemen with 10 tackles, Jalen Stewart has 2 pass deflections and Tim Grant-Randall has 2 pass deflections.
Buffalo Bulls Betting Preview
The Buffalo Bulls beat Lafayette, lost to Missouri, and they play Northern Illinois next. Buffalo has lost 5 of its last 7 home games. CJ Ogbonna is completing 45.5 percent of his passes for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Nik McMillan and Victor Snow have combined for 151 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Taji Johnson has 2 receptions.
The Buffalo Bulls ground game is averaging 161 yards per contest, and Jacqez Barksdale leads the way with 166 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Buffalo is allowing 25.5 points and 370.5 yards per game. Shaun Dolac leads the Buffalo Bulls with 27 tackles, Kobe Stewart has 2 sacks and Charles McCartherens has 1 interception.
Why the Buffalo Bulls will win
- Massachusetts has lost each of its last 10 games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
- The home team has won three of Buffalo’s last four games.
- The favorite has covered the spread in six of Buffalo’s last seven games.
- Massachusetts has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 13 road games in September.
- Massachusetts has lost the first half in 28 of its last 30 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Buffalo has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at UB Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Buffalo’s last 10 games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Massachusetts’ last six road games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Buffalo ranks T29th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.5).
- Buffalo has won the MAC East Division in two of the last six seasons.
Buffalo vs Massachusetts Prediction
The Buffalo Bulls are the better team at home, and a game against Missouri should toughen them up for lesser competition like this game. The Massachusetts Minutemen haven’t had the toughest schedule through 2 games but have looked rough defensively. With that said Massachusetts does have a playmaker at quarterback and could be sneaky decent with more reps.
Massachusetts has also covered 5 of its last 6 games when an underdog of 3 or more points. Buffalo is 5-9 ATS in its last 14 games when a favorite of 3 or more points. I’ll take a shot with the Minutemen and the free points on the road.
