Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Picks, Predictions College Football Week 12: Can Chips Extend Streak?

College football Week 12 picks and predictions Western Michigan vs Central Michigan on November 16.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: November 16, 2022 6:27 AM EST • 4 minute read

Midweek MACtion continues in Week 12 with one of the conference's biggest rivalry games as Central Michigan hosts Western Michigan. Read on for our Western Michigan-Central Michigan college football picks and predictions.

Western Michigan (3-7, 2-4) enters having lost back-to-back games, which doomed its fate to be bowl eligible. The Broncos have the second-worst scoring differential (minus-69) of any MAC team, and their 120 points scored and 155 points allowed are both the worst of any team in the West division.

Central Michigan (4-6, 3-3) has struggled at home this season (2-3) but is coming off its first home victory in conference play after beating Buffalo 31-27. The Chippewas have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season, and three of four after starting the season 1-5.

Here are our top picks for the college football Week 12 game between Western Michigan and Central Michigan (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out all of our top college football picks for Week 12.

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Game Info

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU
Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI
Weather: 38 degrees, 24% chance of precipitation, 5-mph NNW wind

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Odds

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Odds Analysis

Central Michigan opened as a 9.5-point favorite and has been bet as high as -11. The Chippewas have received 86% of the cash despite just 31% of the tickets.

The Under also has received sharp action, with 61% of the handle coming from just 17% of all bets.

Check out our top sportsbooks in Michigan.

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Picks

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan ATS Pick

Central Michigan -10.5 (-114) ★★★★

Western Michigan is coming off a gut-punching home loss to Northern Illinois, as it led 21-17 for all but one minute of the fourth quarter, as the Huskies scored the go-ahead touchdown with 56 seconds remaining.

Meanwhile, Central Michigan is riding high after erasing a 24-7 halftime deficit to Buffalo, winning 31-27 after outscoring the Bulls 24-3 in the second half. Given that the Chippewas are also playing for bowl eligibility if they can win their final two games, the momentum and motivation entering this week is clearly much more on their side.

Central Michigan had been experimenting with a three-quarterback rotation as recently as two weeks ago, but freshman Bert Emanuel Jr. likely locked up the starting gig for good with last week’s 293-rushing-yard and three-touchdown performance. The Chippewas also mixed in Daniel Richardson last week for 14 pass attempts (Emanuel had only three), so even if Emanuel is the starting quarterback, the team gave the Broncos more of a headache to game-plan for.

Central Michigan lives for these midweek games, going 15-1-1 against the spread in its last 17 Wednesday games. That speaks to the coaching staff's preparation to have its players ready to go despite the unusual schedule, and we expect it to pay off in another cover this week.

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan O/U Pick

Under 49.5 (-110) ★★

While the Over has cashed in 11 of Central Michigan’s last 13 Wednesday games, we cannot support this trend in a game in which it faces the second-worst scoring offense in the conference, which is a big reason the Under has cashed in four consecutive Western Michigan games.

Entering last week, the Broncos ranked in the bottom 16 in the country in offensive success rate, points per opportunity, havoc, and average field position. Western Michigan was outgained by a poor Northern Illinois team despite the Huskies playing without their best quarterback, Rocky Lombardi.

With temperatures down mightily from the warmer weather that the team has played in for most of the year, expect even more of a defensive struggle this week.

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Prop Pick

First half Under 24.5 (-110) ★★★

Western Michigan completed just 50% of its passes for 6.2 yards per attempt against a Northern Illinois pass defense that entered last week ranking 119th in pass success. Thus, the Broncos will want to lean even more on a ground game that churned out 131 yards (albeit on 39 carries) and can do so early while the game is not entirely out of hand.

That should lead to minimal possessions in the first half, especially with Central Michigan likely content to establish Emanuel on the ground.

Where to Bet on Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Picks

Western Michigan-Central Michigan picks made 11/15/2022 at 8:31 a.m. ET

Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike leans on his NFL experience and always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”