Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan Prediction, Odds & Betting Trends (Wednesday, Nov. 20)

• Eastern Michigan needs a win to secure bowl eligibility against Buffalo
• The latest Bulls vs Eagles odds favor EMU by 1.5 points in wet, windy conditions
• Read below for Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan prediction, odds and betting trends

The Buffalo Bulls (6-4, 4-2 MAC) head to Rynearson Stadium to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-5, 2-4 MAC) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM EST on ESPNU.

Eastern Michigan needs a win to secure bowl eligibility under head coach Chris Creighton, while Buffalo aims to improve their postseason positioning after already clinching a bowl berth at 6-4.

Eastern Michigan enters as a slight 1 to 1.5-point home favorite, with the over/under set at 52.5 to 53. However, some compelling trends point to value on Buffalo and the under in this spot.

Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan Prediction

Both teams enter this game on opposite trajectories. Buffalo has won two straight, including a thrilling 51-48 overtime victory over Ball State where QB CJ Ogbonna accounted for five total TDs. The Bulls’ offense is clicking, scoring 41+ points in three of their last four.

Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan is reeling, having lost four of their last five. They were just blown out 35-10 by Ohio, with QB Cole Snyder tossing 3 INTs. The Eagles have been held to 21 points or less in three of their last four outings.

Defensively, neither team instills much confidence. Buffalo allows 30.9 PPG (105th), while EMU yields 27.2 PPG (85th). The secondaries are especially vulnerable, with both ranking outside the top 100 against the pass. Buffalo has allowed 30+ points in four straight.

However, Mother Nature may prove the ultimate equalizer. The forecast calls for sustained 15 MPH winds with gusts up to 26 MPH, steady rain, and temperatures dropping into the 30s. These conditions significantly favor the under and a low-scoring, run-heavy game script.

EMU already struggles mightily on offense, ranking 116th in yards per carry and 113th in explosiveness. While Buffalo has shot out recently in perfect conditions, facing EMU in cold, wet, windy weather is a far cry from their recent shootouts vs Ball State and Western Michigan’s tissue-soft defenses.

This is what I’m talking about, peak MACtion experience

Buffalo at Eastern Michigan tomorrow. Bundle up! pic.twitter.com/BV1KY8qY8c

— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) November 19, 2024

When these teams met last year, EMU grinded out a 24-11 defensive slugfest. The run-first Eagles would love a repeat, but Buffalo’s run defense is solid, ranking 81st. EMU simply lacks the firepower to exploit Buffalo’s weaknesses through the air in these conditions.

Betting trends also favor Buffalo in this spot. The Bulls are 3-2 ATS as a road underdog this year and 3-1 SU in the last four H2H meetings. Meanwhile, EMU is just 2-3 ATS in their last five and 1-4 SU in their last five overall. The road team has covered in the last three H2H matchups.

Considering the weather, Eastern Michigan’s offensive woes, and Buffalo’s H2H dominance, the Bulls are live as short road underdogs. I lean Buffalo +1.5, but my strongest play is on the under 53 in what should be a slow-paced, run-heavy field position battle.

Prediction: Buffalo 20, Eastern Michigan 17

• Best Bet: Under 53 points
• Lean: Buffalo +1.5

Buffalo vs EMU Odds

Eastern Michigan opened as a slim 1-point home favorite, with the line ticking up slightly to EMU -1.5 at some books. The -115 to -118 juice on Buffalo +1.5 suggests sharp action favoring the underdog Bulls. Meanwhile, the total has held steady at 53 since opening.

The tight spread indicates oddsmakers are having difficulty separating these evenly matched teams. 52.8% of bets are taking EMU, but Buffalo is drawing 59% of the cash, signaling bigger wagers from respected money on the road ‘dog.

With a healthy 87% of bets hammering the over, the static 53-point total is a red flag. Bookmakers are reluctant to move the number higher despite the lopsided action, indicating their serious concerns about the wind and rain suppressing scoring. 56% of cash is on the under, confirming sharper under money.

Odds as of November 19, at ESPN Bet. Check out ESPN Bet reviews or browse other top sports betting sites.

Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan Head to Head

These MAC rivals have plenty of recent history, splitting their last eight meetings right down the middle both straight up and ATS. However, the Bulls have the clear edge lately, winning three of the last four.

The H2H results tell an interesting story, with the road team prevailing in the last three meetings. This CFB betting trend sets up Buffalo for an underdog victory tomorrow.

While the “over” has cashed in five of the last six meetings, the total stayed under in last year’s meeting despite sitting at 38. We may start to see a shift towards more defensive-minded battles, especially if the weather continues to play a role.

In this battle of stingy defenses, solid special teams, and uninspiring offenses, points figure to be scarce once again, especially given the grueling weather conditions. Grab the value on Buffalo catching points in a low-scoring grudge match that likely comes down to the wire.