Western Michigan Broncos is 0-1 on the season, 1-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -1.7. Western Michigan Broncos enters the season with a power rating of -1.7, placing them below average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Western Michigan Broncos host Monmouth next in Week 2. In 2025, Western Michigan Broncos went 10-4 overall, 10-3-1 against the spread, and 6-8 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Western Michigan Broncos Power Rating of -1.7 is 1.7 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Western Michigan Broncos have logged 190 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 3,816 miles, ranking 124th heaviest in the FBS.
Broc Lowry QB, Jalen Buckley RB, Jeremy Schleicher OL, Baylin Brooks WR, Aveion Chenault WR, Egypt Nelson WR, Kordell Gouldsby WR
Joshua Franklin CB, John Peters CB, Micah Davis S, Dakari Frazier DL, Ahmed Tounkara DL, Austin Alexander DL, Domanick Moon LB, Dillon Moore LB, Brenden Anes LB, Justyce Betts LB
Palmer Domschke K, Ryan Millmore P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 0-2 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Week 3 | 0-3 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Week 4 | 1-3 | 3-1 | 1-3 |
| Week 5 | 2-3 | 4-1 | 2-3 |
| Week 6 | 3-3 | 5-1 | 2-4 |
| Week 7 | 4-3 | 6-1 | 2-5 |
| Week 9 | 4-4 | 6-2 | 3-5 |
| Week 10 | 5-4 | 6-3 | 4-5 |
| Week 12 | 6-4 | 7-3 | 4-6 |
| Week 13 | 7-4 | 8-3 | 5-6 |
| Week 14 | 8-4 | 8-3-1 | 6-6 |
| Week 15 | 9-4 | 9-3-1 | 6-7 |
| Postseason | 10-4 | 10-3-1 | 6-8 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened -4.0 in the preseason and finished -1.7 after week 2, a move of +2.4 points. High -1.7 (week 2), low -4.6 (week 1).
PreW2
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.0 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 2 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Monmouth | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Buffalo | 4 | 4-0 | 2-1-1 |
| Kent State | 4 | 4-0 | 3-1 |
| Central Michigan | 10 | 7-3 | 5-5 |
| Toledo | 9 | 4-5 | 5-4 |
| Bowling Green | 5 | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Akron | 5 | 4-1 | 3-2 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10 | 6-4 | 3-6-1 |
| Miami (OH) | 6 | 4-2 | 3-3 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Rice, Boise State.
Week 03,816 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Michigan | 95 mi | 190 mi |
| Week 2 | Monmouth | Home | 190 mi |
| Week 3 | Rice | 1,025 mi | 2,239 mi |
| Week 4 | Boise State | Home | 2,239 mi |
| Week 5 | Buffalo | 351 mi | 2,941 mi |
| Week 6 | Kent State | Home | 2,941 mi |
| Week 7 | Central Michigan | 99 mi | 3,138 mi |
| Week 8 | Toledo | 111 mi | 3,361 mi |
| Week 9 | Bowling Green | Home | 3,361 mi |
| Week 10 | - | Bye | |
| Week 11 | Akron | 228 mi | 3,816 mi |
| Week 12 | Eastern Michigan | Home | 3,816 mi |
| Week 13 | Miami (OH) | Home | 3,816 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Western Michigan opened the season with a 12-13 loss at No. 16 Michigan, but the scoreline tells only part of the story. The Broncos, 27.5-point underdogs, led late in the fourth quarter after Dieter Kelly's fourth field goal with 35 seconds left. They forced three turnovers, including a late fumble by Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, and appeared to have secured a historic upset before a controversial review gave Michigan one more play, which resulted in a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown. The loss stings, but the performance signals that Lance Taylor's team can compete with Power 4 opponents and will not be intimidated on the road.
The Broncos' offense is built around the ground game, and that did not change in the opener. Quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley, who combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns last season, remain the focal points. Against Michigan, the Broncos leaned on a 20-play, 13:40 drive that ended in a field goal, showcasing their ability to control the clock and wear down defenses. Lowry's development as a passer is still a work in progress, but the offensive line, anchored by returning starter Jeremy Schleicher, gives the run game a solid foundation. Expect Western Michigan to continue relying on this formula as they enter MAC play.
The Broncos lost star pass rusher Nadame Tucker (14.5 sacks, 21 TFLs) and several other contributors, but the defense held its own against a top-20 opponent. They forced three turnovers and kept Michigan out of the end zone until the final play. The secondary, led by cornerback Joshua Franklin and safety Micah Davis, was particularly effective, with Davis involved in the controversial final play. Transfers Ahmed Tounkara and Austin Alexander add depth to the defensive line, while the linebacker corps, including Domanick Moon and Dillon Moore, is experienced. If the defense can maintain this level of play, Western Michigan will be tough to beat in the MAC.
Kicker Palmer Domschke was reliable from long range last season, going 10-for-13 on field goals beyond 40 yards, and that trend continued in the opener. Dieter Kelly, a junior-college transfer, made all four of his field goal attempts against Michigan, including a 39-yarder that gave the Broncos a late lead. Punter Ryan Millmore averaged 42.4 yards per kick last season, and return specialist Kordell Gouldsby, who returned five kicks for touchdowns in junior college, adds a big-play threat. In close MAC games, these specialists could be the difference between a win and a loss.
The Broncos are the defending MAC champions and return most of their key pieces, including Lowry, Buckley, and several starters on both sides of the ball. The loss to Michigan, while painful, does not hurt their conference title chances. However, the MAC is notoriously unpredictable, and Western Michigan will face tough road tests at places like Athens, Ohio, and Muncie, Indiana. The schedule also includes a home finale against Miami (Ohio), which could have MAC title game implications. If the Broncos can avoid a letdown after the Michigan heartbreak and stay healthy, they have a strong chance to repeat, but they cannot afford to slip up in conference play.
Western Michigan Broncos is 1-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Western Michigan Broncos holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -1.7, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Western Michigan Broncos's home field advantage rating is 2.5 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Western Michigan Broncos's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 7.5 wins, priced at +115 over and -150 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Western Michigan Broncos travels 3,816 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 124th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Western Michigan Broncos: 0-1 overall, 1-0 ATS, power rating -1.7 (2026 records).
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