Sat, Sep 30 2023
·
Week 5
·
🏟 Waldo Stadium
Kalamazoo, MI
·
Turf
·
30,200 cap
Ball State✈ 143 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Western Michigan
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Western Michigan entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Game Control
67.1%
Western Michigan wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Western Michigan -1.5
O/U 50.0
William Hill (New Jersey)
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Ball State
· 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
Ball State 2023 Schedule
Ball State's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/2 | Ball State at Kentucky | +25.0L14–44 | 49.0 | L14–44 | O | N |
| Sat 9/9 | Ball State at Georgia | +42.0L3–45 | 52.5 | L3–45 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/16 | Ball State vs Indiana State | -26.0W45–7 | 45.0 | W45–7 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/23 | Ball State vs Georgia Southern | +6.0L3–40 | 60.0 | L3–40 | U | N |
| Sat 9/30 | Ball State at Western Michigan | +1.5L24–42 | 50.0 | L24–42 | O | N |
| Sat 10/7 | Ball State at Eastern Michigan | +2.5L10–24 | 43.5 | L10–24 | U | N |
| Sat 10/14 | Ball State vs Toledo | +17.5L6–13 | 48.5 | L6–13 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/21 | Ball State vs Central Michigan | +5.0W24–17 | 42.0 | W24–17 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Wed 11/1 | Ball State at Bowling Green | +4.5L21–24 | 39.5 | L21–24 | O | Y |
| Tue 11/7 | Ball State at Northern Illinois | +9.5W20–17 | 43.5 | W20–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/18 | Ball State vs Kent State | -10.5W34–3 | 41.5 | W34–3 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/25 | Ball State vs Miami (OH) | +3.5L15–17 | 34.5 | L15–17 | U | Y |
Western Michigan 2023 Schedule
Western Michigan's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8/31 | Western Michigan vs St. Francis (PA) | -14.0W35–17 | 58.0 | W35–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/9 | Western Michigan at Syracuse | +24.5L7–48 | 56.5 | L7–48 | U | N |
| Sat 9/16 | Western Michigan at Iowa | +28.5L10–41 | 43.5 | L10–41 | O | N |
| Sat 9/23 | Western Michigan at Toledo | +21.5L31–49 | 52.5 | L31–49 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/30 | Western Michigan vs Ball State | -1.5W42–24 | 50.0 | W42–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/7 | Western Michigan at Mississippi State | +21.5L28–41 | 54.5 | L28–41 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/14 | Western Michigan vs Miami (OH) | +7.5L21–34 | 46.0 | L21–34 | O | N |
| Sat 10/21 | Western Michigan at Ohio | +16.5L17–20 | 52.0 | L17–20 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/28 | Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan | -3.0W45–21 | 50.0 | W45–21 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Tue 11/7 | Western Michigan vs Central Michigan | -3.5W38–28 | 57.5 | W38–28 | O | Y |
| Tue 11/14 | Western Michigan at Northern Illinois | +4.5L0–24 | 55.5 | L0–24 | U | N |
| Tue 11/21 | Western Michigan vs Bowling Green | +2.0L10–34 | 54.5 | L10–34 | U | N |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2023 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Ball State
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2023 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Western Michigan Edge
Western Michigan +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Western Michigan Edge
Western Michigan +14.8
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 4 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Western Michigan
1 — 0 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
Western Michigan
76.5 — 9.0 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Western Michigan won by 18
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Western Michigan with a solid GC edge. Teams with this profile have covered 53.0% of the time historically (n=330) — a mild lean.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Ball State
Mike Neu #1
34–50 (41%)
· Yr 8 at school
OC
Jared Elliott
Yr 1
#1
DC
Tyler Stockton
Yr 3
#1
Western Michigan
Lance Taylor #1
1–2 (33%)
· Yr 1 at school
OC
Billy Cosh
Yr 1
#1
DC
Lou Esposito
Yr 3
#1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓