BOWLING GREEN — Two of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference will look to move one step closer to Detroit for the league title game as Bowling Green State University hosts Western Michigan.

BASICS

■ Who: Western Michigan (5-4, 4-1 MAC) at BGSU (5-4, 4-1)

■ Where: Doyt Perry Stadium

■ When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

■ Spread: BGSU by 8.5

■ TV: ESPN2

■ Radio: 100.7 FM

■ Follow: Michael Burwell

Threads: White helmets, orange jerseys, orange pants.

𝙈𝘼𝘾𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 💡

⚪️🟠🟠#ToTheMoon x #WearBlack pic.twitter.com/KwyZBXjlSJ

— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) November 11, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

■ Western Michigan: Jaden Nixon. The Broncos’ redshirt junior running back and Oklahoma State transfer leads the MAC in numerous categories, including yards per carry (7.3), total rushing yards (847), and total rushing touchdowns (12). Nixon has rushed for at least 100 yards in five games and has scored multiple touchdowns in four. He is also a threat in special teams; Nixon’s 22.4 yards per kickoff return rank fourth in the MAC.

■ BGSU: Terion Stewart. After missing two games early in the season due to injury, Stewart has returned to his usual form the past few weeks. The Falcons’ junior running back has rumbled for 340 yards and one touchdown on 66 carries the last three games. He surpassed 100 yards twice and had at least 20 carries in each contest. For the season, Stewart’s 96.3 yards per game rank first in the MAC, and his 674 rushing yards rank third.

STATS TO KNOW

4: A win over Western Michigan would be the fourth straight victory for BGSU. It would be the second straight year that the Falcons tallied four consecutive victories after not having one the previous seven seasons.

5.55: Western Michigan is averaging 5.55 yards per carry this season, which ranks 13th in the FBS. The Broncos have 1,883 rushing yards on 339 attempts.

20: BGSU has scored at least 20 points in eight games this season, while Western Michigan has reached that mark in seven contests. The Broncos (33.3 points per game) and Falcons (26.7) rank first and fifth, respectively, in the MAC in scoring.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

BGSU’s rushing defense vs. Western Michigan’s rushing attack: It seems like this is the matchup to look for every week, but BGSU has continued to face some of the best rushing attacks not only in the MAC, but in the country. The Falcons have certainly been tested nearly every week, and they will get another one against the Broncos. BGSU has allowed at least 100 rushing yards in every game and ranks 94th in the country in rushing defense (168.2).

PREDICTION

It will be surprising if this game isn’t a shootout; Western Michigan ranks near the bottom of the MAC in scoring and total defense at 34.7 points and 428.4 yards per game, respectively. BGSU has gotten timely turnovers late in games, and that will be critical if the Falcons want to continue their winning ways. Can BGSU make a defensive stand in the final minute if it comes down to it, and can the Falcons earn a home win over a strong opponent, something that hasn’t happened the past two seasons? Western Michigan 38, BGSU 37.

First Published November 12, 2024, 4:30 p.m.