Western Michigan at Ball State

Western Michigan had the unenviable task of opening on the road at No. 15 Michigan of the Big 10, a 35-13 loss, but now they can focus on MAC action. Western Michigan went through that a year ago, losing at Michigan in the opener and then won four in a row, including a 28-0 shutout in Week 2 and a Week 3 44-41 win at Pitt as a +14 dog. The offense was No. 12 in the nation in total offense averaging 32.5 points per game, while the defense returns 7 starters to a unit that was second in the nation in third down stops, great at generating pressure and sacks, and No. 1 in the MAC in total defense. Western Michigan is 8-3-1 ATS after a loss and faces a Ball State squad off a losing 2021 campaign and got destroyed at Tennessee last week, 59-10. Junior QB John Paddock made his first college start in the opener and threw 2 picks while the defense was mauled allowing 569 yards. Ball State is on an 11-21 spread run at home, 20-35 ATS after scoring 14 points or fewer, plus 15-29 ATS at home after being outgained by 125 or more total yards in the last contest. Play Western Michigan.