(Tyler Van Tubbergen will likely start at quarterback for Western Michigan this weekend against UMass/WMUBroncos.com)
Despite nearly beating the best team in the MAC and covering the past two lines, the UMass football team is anywhere from a 15.5 to a 16.5 underdog this weekend at Western Michigan.
Had this game occurred the week after UMass’ demoralizing loss to Michigan, I wouldn’t have blinked. However, UMass is coming off two-straight games where its offense has improved and its defense is slowly but surely figuring out how to slow down opposing offenses.
I also have to wonder whether Vegas completely missed that Western Michigan is without the services of Alex Carder, its all-everything quarterback who broke a bone in his hand against UConn on Sept. 22.
The Broncos have been alternating wins and losses all season and may very well be poised to knock off the Minutemen at home. However, I don’t think they are two touchdowns better than a UMass team that is itching for its first win as an FBS program.
Not too surprised. UMass will continue to see multiple-score spreads until they get a W.
I’m pretty sure Vegas knows Carder is out since it is listed on vegasinsider, the site that shows all of the vegas lines. Also, Pagel has been listed as out every game, so the random gambler betting a Umass game knows they are not playing the original starter.