The MAC and Mountain West collide on a Monday morning as the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl plays host to Western Michigan vs. Nevada. Despite some potential absentees, the Quick Lane Bowl promises to be one of the more exciting matchups of college football bowl season. Let’s take a look at the current odds, TV channel, how to live stream, as well as a pick and prediction for Western Michigan vs. Nevada.
Western Michigan vs. Nevada betting odds and trends
- Spread: Western Michigan -5.5 (Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Total: 56.5
- Moneyline: Western Michigan -210, Nevada +175
If you’re looking to make a little money predicting the future, it’s worth considering the past before you lay down your hard-earned cash. Due to the Quick Lane Bowl being held at a neutral venue, we can rule out trends based on home-field advantage, even though Ford Field is substantially closer to the home of Western Michigan than it is Nevada. However, with 73.2% of 2021 college games being won by the favorite, the Broncos appear to have the upper hand in the betting stakes.
While favorites have a slight advantage against the spread this season (50.8%), overall trends favor the Wolf Pack in this Western Michigan vs. Nevada clash. Nevada is 8-3-1 against the spread this season. Furthermore, they’ve either covered or pushed the spread when the underdog. Additionally, they’ve only lost by the 5-point spread once in 2021.
Although several absentees may impact the nature of the game, there’s reason to believe that Western Michigan vs. Nevada will hit the total of 56.5. 14 of the 24 games featuring the two teams this season have eclipsed the 56.5-point total. Both teams have averaged over 30 points per game this year. Hammer the over!
Western Michigan vs. Nevada prediction
I love bowl season. There, I said it! Who doesn’t want an extra 43 games at the end of the regular season? If you don’t love bowl season, frankly, I don’t believe that you love college football. However, on an initial cursory glance down the bowl season schedule, there wasn’t immediately a ton of games that screamed out as must-watch matchups.
Then, I saw Western Michigan vs. Nevada in the Quick Lane Bowl. Immediately, my college football senses were sent into a tingle. Two high-scoring offenses against two questionable defenses? MACtion versus the Mountain West on a Monday after the Christmas weekend? It’s the sort of thing that bowl season dreams are made of.
Of course, as is becoming more of a regular occurrence, we know that several prominent pieces will be missing from Western Michigan vs. Nevada. The Wolf Pack have averaged 36.7 points and 365.8 passing yards per game this year.
Nonetheless, quarterback Carson Strong has opted out of the Quick Lane Bowl. There’s a good chance that several star pass catchers will also be unavailable for backup QB Nate Cox.
Advantage Western Michigan?
When you consider that Nevada is dealing with the departure of head coach Jay Norvell as well, Western Michigan has a great chance to end their season on a high. Behind quarterback Kaleb Eleby and running back Sean Tyler, they’ve averaged 30.8 points and 463.8 yards per game. Tyler’s influence will be particularly important against a defense giving up 174.1 yards per game on the ground.
Although wide receiver Jaylen Hall entered the transfer portal, we’re expecting to see both Eleby and leading receiver Skyy Moore in the Quick Lane Bowl. At the time of writing, neither had made declarations nor opted out. However, Pro Football Network Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline reported in early December that Eleby will declare for the NFL Draft.
Prediction: Western Michigan Broncos 33, Nevada Wolf Pack 30
How to watch Western Michigan vs. Nevada
- Start time: Monday, December 27, 11 AM ET
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
- Channel: ESPN
- Live Streams: WatchESPN