The Western Michigan Broncos and the Mississippi State Bulldogs meet Saturday in college football action from Davis Wade Stadium. Western Michigan just finished up a game versus Ball State. The Broncos went on to win by 18 points there. As for Mississippi State, they played Alabama in their last outing. In that one the Bulldogs fell in blowout fashion. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Western Michigan Broncos
The Broncos’ season kicked off with a matchup against St. Francis PA and an eventual 35-17 win on August 31. Western Michigan would end up losing their next three games however, falling 48-7 to Syracuse, 41-10 to Iowa and 49-31 to Toledo. In the loss to the Rockets, Western Michigan’s Jalen Buckley rushed for 190 yards and two scores.
Back on Saturday versus Ball State, the Broncos posted 21 points in the second quarter, cruising to a 42-24 win. QB Treyson Bourguet finished with 328 yards and three touchdowns, and Zahir Abdus-Salaam added 53 rush yards and two scores. Anthony Sambucci led the receivers on 73 yards and all three scores off five catches.
Western Michigan Broncos Team Facts
The home team has won each of Western Michigan's last six games.
Western Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games against non-conference opponents.
Western Michigan has lost the first half in seven of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.
Western Michigan has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Six of Western Michigan's last seven games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Over on the Bulldogs’ side, they kicked off the year with a pair of wins. Mississippi State took out Southeastern Louisiana 48-7 in the opener, then beat Arizona 31-24 in overtime. The Bulldogs would then fall to LSU 41-14 and South Carolina 37-30 in the next two games, though. Mississippi State QB Will Rogers threw for 487 yards, one TD and a pick in the loss to the Gamecocks.
In the Alabama matchup, the Bulldogs were outscored 31-10 in the first half alone. Mississippi State put up just seven points from there and lost 40-17. Rogers had 107 yards with one TD and three picks, while Jo’quavious Marks had 68 rushing yards. Freddie Roberson led the receivers on 23 yards from two catches.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Team Facts
Mississippi State has won each of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Davis Wade Stadium.
Mississippi State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games.
Mississippi State has won the first quarter in each of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Davis Wade Stadium.
Mississippi State has won the first half in each of its last seven home games against non-conference opponents.
Six of Mississippi State's last seven October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
Mississippi State ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (2.1).
Mississippi State ranked T9th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (8.5).
Western Michigan was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.500) than home winning percentage (.333) last season (min. 8 games).
Western Michigan ranked T19th among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (3.8).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Mississippi State. Probably not touching it, though; the line's pretty thick. The Bulldogs have been a mixed bag so far this year, at least in part because they’ve had to face off against some tough teams over their first five games. The Alabama matchup certainly falls under that category, as does LSU. Outside of that pair the Bulldogs are 2-1 with a seven-point loss to South Carolina as the only blemish. Mississippi State should be able to handle Western Michigan if all goes well.
Speaking of the Broncos, they’ve scored a combined 73 points over their last two games after scoring just 17 combined over the previous pair. Western Michigan probably isn’t going to be able to light up the scoreboard so brightly in this one, so I think the Bulldogs are the better cover option.
