BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green is set to open the weeknight portion of its schedule with an interdivision game against Western Michigan.
Here’s what to know about the matchup.
BASICS
■ Who: Western Michigan (3-5, 2-2 MAC) at Bowling Green (4-4, 3-1)
■ When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
■ Where: Doyt Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio
■ Spread: Bowling Green by 4½
■ TV: ESPN2
■ Radio: 100.7
■ Follow: Patrick Andres
PLAYERS TO WATCH
■ Western Michigan: Linebacker Corvin Moment has been nothing short of exceptional for Western Michigan over the past four games, amassing 6½ sacks — including three against Miami alone. He ranks fourth in the conference in both sacks and tackles for loss and presents the most significant pass rush threat to Bowling Green since the Falcons’ blowout loss to Buffalo.
■ Bowling Green: Bowling Green’s receiving corps has been placed in the spotlight over the Falcons’ last two wins for very different reasons. Against Miami, their drops and tipped balls contributed to an off day for senior quarterback Matt McDonald, but senior wide receiver Odieu Hiliare broke out with 105 receiving yards against Central Michigan. Hiliare will need to continue to serve as a weapon for McDonald against a hard-nosed Western Michigan defense.
STATS TO KNOW
1-8: Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler is 1-8 (.111) in November weeknight games since arriving in Wood County in 2019.
32: Led by senior defensive lineman Karl Brooks’s 7½, Bowling Green has registered 32 sacks in 2022. That’s the second highest total of any team in the country; only Louisville (33) has more.
235: Western Michigan running back La’darius Jefferson has rushed for 235 yards in 2022, second most on the team. Jefferson has been suspended by the Broncos indefinitely for a violation of team rules, Western Michigan coach Tim Lester announced Monday.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Bowling Green offensive line vs. Western Michigan defensive line: If there was a problem area for Bowling Green against Central Michigan, it was the offensive line at times — despite the win, McDonald took six sacks. He thrived anyway, completing 18 of his 20 passes, but the Falcons’ line will need to step up against a tough Western Michigan attack led by Moment. Senior center Jakari Robinson and junior offensive guard Jalen Grant’s season-best performances were key to Bowling Green beating Miami — can they deliver again against an opponent frequently compared to the Redhawks?
PREDICTION
The most frequent peddler of Western Michigan-to-Miami comparisons has been Loeffler, and there’s something to his assessment. Both the Broncos and Redhawks rely on strong running attacks -— even without Jefferson, Western Michigan will still have the services of running back Sean Tyler -— and stout defenses. But Bowling Green’s coach may actually be selling his team short. Miami was playing some of the best defense in the country when it came to Doyt Perry Stadium; the Broncos aren’t doing that. If McDonald and the receivers are in sync, the Falcons should be able to pick apart Western Michigan and move within a win of bowl eligibility. Bowling Green 30-23.
First Published November 2, 2022, 11:00 a.m.
