The Western Michigan Broncos (-7.5) and Georgia State Panthers are set to square off on the turf of Parker H. Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium. Kickoff for this showdown is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET and ESPN+ will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Western Michigan Broncos at Georgia State Panthers
In this Saturday matchup, Western Michigan is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 7.5 points. The Broncos are also receiving -330 moneyline odds while the Panthers are +250. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 62.5 points, and on the surface it appears that this contest should have some live betting opportunities.
Square bettors are hammering the Broncos. The line opened at 6.5, while the game’s total hasn’t moved after it was set initially at 62.5.
The Broncos have lost 1.0 unit this season and are 1-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 1-1.
The Panthers have gained 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors in 2018. They’re 1-2 ATS and also have an O/U record of 1-1.
The Broncos have gone 1-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Panthers are also 1-2 SU.
The Broncos are coming off a resounding 68-0 win over Delaware State last week. Jon Wassink completed 23-of-30 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Jamauri Bogan (just 33 rushing yards on 11 attempts, but two TDs) and Prince Walker (59 yards on nine carries, one TD) led the ground attack in the win while Drake Harris (seven receptions, 57 yards) and Giovanni Ricci (five catches, 77 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties.
One week ago, Memphis knocked off this Georgia State crew by a score of 59-22. The Panthers defense allowed the Tigers to eat up the clock by rushing for 410 yards on 35 attempts, including three rush TDs. Darrell Henderson was outstandingfor the Tigers, putting up 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. As a group, the Panthers collectively completed 19-of-34 passes for 139 yards and one interception. Dan Ellington went 15-for-26 for 107 yards and one interception while Aaron Winchester was two-of-five for 18 yards. Destin Coates (68 yards on 12 rush attempts) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Cornelius McCoy (five receptions, 43 yards) and Penny Hart (four catches, 35 yards) led the receiving attack.
Western Michigan’s run the ball on 51.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia State has an overall rush percentage of 53.8 percent. The Broncos have rushed for 202.0 yards per game and have seven scores via handoffs this year. The Panthers are totaling 136.0 rush yards per game and have three total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Broncos ought to hold an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up just 22 sacks while their D-line registered 20 sacks. The Panthers, on the other hand, have allowed 25 sacks and their defense has recorded only 24 sacks.
The Broncos offensive scheme has tallied 250.0 yards per game in the air overall and has five passing scores so far. The Panthers have recorded 189.3 pass yards per contest and have three total pass TDs.
Western Michigan seems to possess an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 252.3 yards and pass for 125.7 yards per game. The Georgia State defense has given up 298.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 235.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Broncos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.54 to opponents, while the Panthers have given up an ugly 10.53 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wassink has amassed 665 passing yards this season, and has connected on 64 percent of his 66 attempts with five scores through the air and two interceptions. He’s got a 10.04 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 5.48 over the past two games.
On the other sideline, Dan Ellington has managed to complete 35-of-54 passes for 294 yards, three TDs and one INT. Ellington’s ANY/A stands at an ultra-pedestrian 4.68 for the season and 3.98 over his past two outings.
Western Michigan Broncos at Georgia State Panthers Free Prediction
SU Winner: Georgia State, ATS Winner: Georgia State, O/U: Over
