The Akron Zips will host the Western Michigan Broncos on Tuesday, still looking to notch their first win over an FBS opponent in 2026. As for the Broncos, they shook off a road loss to Toledo with a win over Bowling Green before their bye, keeping them in the running for a second consecutive appearance in the MAC title game.
Western Michigan is a 15.5-point road favorite on Tuesday with -750 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Akron is a +525 underdog, with the game total set at 49.5 points. Here is a preview of Tuesday’s Week 11 conference showdown.
Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Preview
Akron Zips
In between their blowout losses at Wake Forest and Minnesota in September, Akron put a beatdown of their own on Robert Morris. That win over an FCS opponent hasn’t translated to the Zips’ other Group of Five affairs, though, from their four-touchdown loss to UNLV to their 0-5 start to MACtion.
Starting quarterback Cibastian Broughton made his return from a six-week injury absence last Tuesday, completing 22-of-34 passes for 232 yards and an interception – his first of the year. He now boasts a 75.0% completion percentage and 137.6 passer rating on the season, both of which are far superior to his backup, Brayden Roggow, who had a 58.6% completion, 120.4 passer rating, and a conference-high nine picks. Broughton also has 190 rushing yards to Roggow’s -63.
Marcel Williams has been the top target in the passing game with three touchdowns and 417 yards on 37 catches. Kyan Mason isn’t far behind with 405 yards on 31 grabs, although he has yet to find the end zone. After No. 3 wideout Miles Burris, Jordan Gant is the next highest-volume option through the air with 156 yards on 19 receptions. Adding that to his 730 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, Gant is averaging 98.4 scrimmage yards per game.
The Zips rank No. 134 in the opponent-adjusted SP+ net efficiency metric. They slot in at No. 116 on offense, but No. 136 on both defense and special teams. On a per game basis, Akron ranks No. 129 in points scored and No. 121 in points allowed.
Western Michigan Broncos
After falling one point short of upsetting No. 16 Michigan in Week 1, the Broncos recovered and won a blowout over Monmouth and a road win at Rice. A 32-7 home loss to Boise State spoiled Western Michigan’s resurgence, but they still got off to a 3-0 start in conference play. Even after a last-minute loss at Toledo, the Broncos bounced back by beating Bowling Green by two scores.
Quarterback Broc Lowry has bumped his passer rating up to 138.5 this season, all while completing 62.4% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He isn’t coming anywhere close to the 963 yards and 14 touchdowns he recorded as a rusher in 14 games last season, but his 259 yards and four scores so far in 2026 are still good for second on the team.
Western Michigan’s leading rusher is veteran Jalen Buckley, who is pushing for his third 1,000-yard season in four years. He is up to 711 yards and eight touchdowns through eight games, plus 93 yards on nine catches that bring him over 800 yards from scrimmage. Buckley’s primary backup, Ofa Mataele, missed the Bowling Green game, but third-stringer Cole Cabana shined with an 82-yard touchdown that afternoon. Aveion Chenault, coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances, leads the Broncos with 540 yards on 33 catches. But after Baylin Brooks at 219 yards and four touchdowns, tight end Nathan Levicki is the next-most productive pass-catcher at 162 yards.
In the latest SP+ rankings, the Broncos rank No. 21 on special teams, No. 52 on defense, No. 93 on offense, and No. 76 overall. They boast the No. 26 scoring defense in the country, compared to their No. 85 scoring offense.
Akron vs. Western Michigan Pick, Best Bet
The Broncos only have one win by 16-plus points in their eight games versus FBS opponents this season. It came at home against Kent State, who ranks No. 132 in the SP+. While the Zips are two spots lower in that metric, Tuesday’s contest is in Akron rather than Kalamazoo. Akron has also managed to keep three of their last four losses within 15 points, as well as three of their four home games. They only lost by eight to Ohio upon Broughton’s return a week ago – also at home – and the Bobcats are three spots higher than WMU in the SP+ with a similar defensive lean.
Western Michigan leans heavily on the ground attack, regularly settles for field goals and has a stout defense. As tempting as those all make the Under 49.5 points, Akron’s defense makes it tough to feel good about that bet. Instead, I think the most likely outcome is a Broncos win by two scores or fewer, as has been their bread and butter for most of 2026.
