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Western Michigan vs. Buffalo: 3 huge keys to MAC opener

Dustin Judge
Western Michigan vs. Buffalo: Broncos quarterback Brady Jones passes against Illinois in 2025

Western Michigan vs. Buffalo opens Mid-American Conference play for both teams Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. ET at Broadview Stadium. Each team is 2-2, and the Broncos, the 2025 MAC champions, are a 13.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Research.

Western Michigan arrives at the matchup off a 32-7 loss to Boise State on Sept. 26. The Broncos gained 223 yards, and their only touchdown came on a 2-yard run by Cole Cabana with 1:03 left, the school reported. Buffalo has alternated wins and losses all season.

Western Michigan vs. Buffalo game information

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Broadview Stadium, Buffalo, N.Y.
  • TV/Streaming: ESPN+
  • Records: Western Michigan 2-2 (0-0 MAC), Buffalo 2-2 (0-0 MAC)
  • Series: Western Michigan leads 9-2 and has won four straight

Key No. 1: Can the Broncos fix their offense?

Western Michigan connected on just one pass play of 20 or more yards against Boise State and went 0 for 3 on fourth down, Sports Illustrated reported. Quarterback Broc Lowry was 15 of 28 for 110 yards in that game. Boise State, which Total Apex Sports also examined in its Utah State vs. Boise State preview, is now 3-1.

For the season, Lowry has completed 58 of 89 passes for 527 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Jalen Buckley has 225 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and receiver Aveion Chenault has 13 catches for 216 yards, according to Pick Dawgz. Buffalo’s defense gave up 33 points to Florida International and 55 to Penn State in its two losses. Penn State, which beat the Bulls 55-13 on Sept. 19, plays Northwestern on Friday night, as covered in our Penn State vs. Northwestern preview.

Key No. 2: Can Buffalo protect the football?

Quarterback Jason Wright has thrown for 385 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, and he has played in three of the Bulls’ four games, Western Michigan noted. Receiver Chance Morrow has 25 catches for 307 yards and six touchdowns, which Buffalo said ties for fourth nationally in touchdown catches.

Running back Messiah Burch has 246 yards on the ground, including a career-high 146 in a 31-28 win over Robert Morris last week.

Key No. 3: Buffalo has history on its side in MAC openers

The Bulls have won four straight conference openers, according to their athletic department, but Western Michigan vs. Buffalo has leaned toward the Broncos. Western Michigan won the last meeting 48-41 in 2024, and Buffalo has only two wins in the series, the fewest against any MAC team since it joined the league in 1999.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.