Western Michigan at Central Michigan Week 7 College Football Matchup Western Michigan at Central Michigan Matchup - Week 7
Sat, Oct 17 2026 · Week 7 · 🏟 Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI · Turf · 32,885 cap
Western Michigan✈ 98 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
22
Central Michigan
21
P&R Line Western Michigan -1
P&R Total O/U 43.5
Confidence 55 Early Season
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Western Michigan, while Game Control favors Central Michigan. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
61.3%
Western Michigan wins
Lean
Game Control
50.6%
Central Michigan wins
Toss-up
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
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
Central Michigan 2026 Schedule
Central Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Central Michigan at New Mexico+10.5
Sat 9/12Central Michigan vs Colgate-16.5
Sat 9/19Central Michigan vs Wyoming-6.5
Sat 9/26Central Michigan at Miami+29.5
Sat 10/3Central Michigan vs Akron-8.5
Sat 10/10Central Michigan at Ohio+2
Sat 10/17Central Michigan vs Western Michigan+1
Sat 10/24Central Michigan vs Miami (OH)+3
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/4Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan-2.5
Wed 11/11Central Michigan vs Sacramento State-0.5
Wed 11/18Central Michigan at Buffalo+0
Sat 11/28Central Michigan at Ball State-13
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Central Michigan PPA Edge
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
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Western Michigan #103
+0.215
Central Michigan #71
+0.232
Central Michigan Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #125
+0.287
Central Michigan #22
+0.498
Central Michigan Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #33
0.173
Central Michigan #42
0.169
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Western Michigan Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Western Michigan #105
+6.487
Central Michigan #80
+6.433
Western Michigan Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Western Michigan #55
+0.830
Central Michigan #89
+0.780
Western Michigan Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Western Michigan #13
68.0
Central Michigan #68
71.0
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
Central Michigan Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Western Michigan #100
-5.3
Central Michigan #97
-4.9
Offense Rating
Western Michigan #82
14.5
Central Michigan #74
15.1
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Western Michigan #113
19.9
Central Michigan #114
20.0
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
Central Michigan #134
0.83
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #31
0.54
Central Michigan #113
1.08
Western Michigan +0.09
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? Central Michigan Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Western Michigan #66
49.0
Central Michigan #116
50.9
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Western Michigan #57
35.3
Central Michigan #53
34.8
Central Michigan +2.0
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% 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
Central Michigan
Matt Drinkall #96
7–6 (54%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Jim Chapin Yr 2 #109
DC Sean Cronin Yr 2 #98
Staff Rating
2.42 #96
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