Overview
- Kickoff is noon ET on ESPN from Detroit’s Ford Field, with Roy Philpott, Sam Acho and Taylor Davis on the broadcast and streaming via the ESPN app and services such as Fubo.
- Betting markets price the matchup as a near pick’em, with Western Michigan favored by about 1.5 points and totals in the low-to-mid 40s depending on the book.
- The RedHawks won the regular-season meeting 26-17 on Oct. 25 and are in their third straight MAC title game, while the Broncos return to the championship for the first time since 2016.
- Western Michigan swept the MAC’s top postseason awards, highlighted by Offensive Player of the Year QB Broc Lowry (1,572 passing yards, 875 rushing, 21 TDs) and Defensive Player of the Year/Vern Smith winner Nadame Tucker (about a dozen sacks, 18 TFL).
- Miami turns to redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski at quarterback after DeQuann Finn’s November departure, and he closed the regular season with 226 yards and three touchdown passes against Ball State.