The Western Michigan Broncos and Syracuse Orange meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview

The Western Michigan Broncos look for a big road win after beating St. Francis (PA) in their season opener. Western Michigan look for its first 2-0 start since the 2020 COVID-19 season. Jack Salopek is completing 69.2 percent of his passes for 170 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Kenneth Womack and Malique Dieudonne have combined for 78 receiving yards on 6 catches, while Jehlani Galloway has 4 receptions. The Western Michigan Broncos ground game is averaging 339 yards per contest, and Jalen Buckley leads the way with 194 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Western Michigan is allowing 17 points and 281 yards per game. Tate Hallock leads the Western Michigan Broncos with 7 tackles, Boone Bonnema has 1.5 sacks and Damari Roberson has 1 pass deflection.

Western Michigan Broncos Team Facts

• The underdog has won six of Western Michigan’s last eight games.
• Western Michigan has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine September games as an underdog.
• Western Michigan has lost the first half in five of its last six road games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Western Michigan’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Syracuse Orange Betting Preview

The Syracuse Orange look for another win after waxing Colgate 65-0 in their season opener. Syracuse looks for its third 2-0 start in the last 8 seasons. Garrett Shrader is completing 75 percent of his passes for 257 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Umari Hatcher and Isaiah Jones have combined for 176 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Donovan Brown has 5 receptions. The Syracuse Orange ground game is averaging 142.8 yards per contest, and LeQuint Allen leads the way with 107 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Syracuse is allowing 22.7 points and 338.8 yards per game. Derek McDonald leads the Syracuse Orange with 7 tackles, Marlowe Wax has 1 sack and Gregory Delaine has 1 interception.

Syracuse Orange Team Facts

• The favorite has won each of Syracuse’s last 13 games.
• Syracuse has covered the spread in each of its last six matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Syracuse has won the first half in each of its last six games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
• Syracuse has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
• Each of Syracuse’s last four games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Syracuse ranked T14th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.615).
• Syracuse ranked 30th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (4.4).
• 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).

Randy’s Pick

Western Michigan is a middle of the road team from the MAC, and its effort against St. Francis raised red flags. That game was competitive throughout, and Jack Salopek didn’t look good at the quarterback position. Thank goodness Western Michigan’s ground game ran wild or a big upset could’ve taken place. With that said, Syracuse has a clear talent edge, an experienced quarterback and was completely dominant in its opener against an FCS opponent. Western Michigan will get crushed in this contest if it doesn’t drastically improve on last week’s effort. I’ll lay the points with the Orange.