Western Michigan at Buffalo Week 5 College Football Matchup Western Michigan at Buffalo Matchup - Week 5
Sat, Oct 3 2026 · Week 5 · 🏟 UB Stadium Amherst, NY · Turf · 29,013 cap
Western Michigan✈ 350 miSame TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Western Michigan
24
Buffalo
21
P&R Line Western Michigan -3.5
P&R Total O/U 45
Confidence 69 Good
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
61.3%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Western Michigan · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Buffalo 2nd straight Home Game
Western Michigan 2026 Schedule
Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Western Michigan at Michigan+21
Sat 9/12Western Michigan vs Monmouth-20
Sat 9/19Western Michigan at Rice-10
Sat 9/26Western Michigan vs Boise State+4
Sat 10/3Western Michigan at Buffalo-3.5
Sat 10/10Western Michigan vs Kent State-17
Sat 10/17Western Michigan at Central Michigan-1
Sat 10/24Western Michigan at Toledo+10
Sat 10/31Western Michigan vs Bowling Green-10.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Western Michigan at Akron-7
Tue 11/17Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-11
Tue 11/24Western Michigan vs Miami (OH)-0.5
Buffalo 2026 Schedule
Buffalo's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Buffalo vs UAlbany-14.5
Sat 9/12Buffalo at Florida International+4.5
Sat 9/19Buffalo at Penn State+25
Sat 9/26Buffalo vs Robert Morris-14.5
Sat 10/3Buffalo vs Western Michigan+3.5
Sat 10/10Buffalo at Toledo+15.5
Sat 10/17Buffalo vs Massachusetts-25.5
Sat 10/24Buffalo vs Bowling Green-4.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3Buffalo at Miami (OH)+10.5
Wed 11/11Buffalo at Ball State-10.5
Wed 11/18Buffalo vs Central Michigan-0
Fri 11/27Buffalo at Akron-1.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Western Michigan PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Western Michigan
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Western Michigan
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Western Michigan
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Western Michigan #103
+0.233
Buffalo #116
+0.135
Western Michigan Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #125
+0.330
Buffalo #103
+0.285
Western Michigan Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #33
0.173
Buffalo #75
0.153
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Western Michigan Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #105
+6.422
Buffalo #91
+6.333
Western Michigan Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Western Michigan #55
+0.825
Buffalo #109
+0.757
Western Michigan Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Western Michigan #13
68.0
Buffalo #54
70.5
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Western Michigan Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Western Michigan Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Western Michigan #100
-5.3
Buffalo #117
-10.8
Offense Rating
Western Michigan #82
14.5
Buffalo #124
7.6
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Western Michigan #113
19.9
Buffalo #104
18.3
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Western Michigan Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Western Michigan #110
0.92
Buffalo #98
0.55
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #31
0.54
Buffalo #23
0.64
Western Michigan +0.38
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Western Michigan Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Western Michigan #66
49.0
Buffalo #106
35.3
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #57
35.3
Buffalo #91
45.8
Western Michigan +13.7
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Western Michigan
Lance Taylor #110
20–19 (51%) · Yr 4 at school
OC Walt Bell Yr 3 #116
DC Greer Martini Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.26 #108
Buffalo
Pete Lembo #74
14–11 (56%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Tony Tokarz Yr 1 #67
DC Joe Bowen Yr 3 #58
Staff Rating
2.62 #76
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