Redshirt
Matchup preview

Western Michigan vs Rice

Western Michigan visit Rice in Week 3. The model favors Western Michigan by 9.9. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
73%
27%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 16 · refreshed weekly

SP+ separates these teams by 12.9 points, rating Western Michigan at -2.2 (rank 78) against Rice at -15.1 (rank 120), and the model projects the Broncos by 10.5. The market lands a shade lighter at Rice +9.5 with a 43.5 total, and the pricing tracks closely across venues: SP+ gives Western Michigan 74%, the consensus line implies 72%, and the ProphetX exchange sits at -325, or 76%. That is a tight cluster with no real disagreement to trade against, the exchange leaning marginally firmer on the favorite than the books.

The unit ranks explain the edge. Western Michigan's defense (#50) is the only above-average side on the field, and it faces a Rice offense ranked #123. Neither offense grades well, with the Broncos at #106 and Rice's defense at #112, which fits the middling 43.5 total. Season-long, the simulations project 7.5 wins and 4% Playoff odds for Western Michigan versus 4.3 wins and 0.1% for Rice. Results add nuance: Western Michigan pushed Michigan to 12-13 before hanging 49 on Monmouth, while Rice handled Houston Christian 31-3 but was shut out 0-52 at Notre Dame, a split that leaves the double-digit number defensible.

Model, books, and exchange all cluster near 74% on Western Michigan, leaving little daylight to trade at Rice +9.5.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
WMU -8.5
Total (O/U)
43.5
Favorite
WMU
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)
Rice
30%

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Western Michigan99%+9 ptsvsRice1%-9 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Western Michigan favoredRice favoredSep 6Sep 11Sep 14Sep 17Sep 20

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Western Michigan's win price; Rice's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Western Michigan is favored, below it Rice is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#80SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#117
#79FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#127
1546EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1044
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.-
Western MichiganRicesolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
More Week 3 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Western Michigan vs Rice game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Western Michigan vs Rice market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Western Michigan and Rice play?

Week 3 of 2026, on Sep 19, 2026 at Rice.

Who is favored?

The model projects Western Michigan by 9.9 (73% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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