As Week 2 of the 2025 regular season arrives, the North Texas Mean Green will visit the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI. This Saturday afternoon game, scheduled for 3:30 PM, will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams aim to solidify their standing early in the season.
North Texas comes into this matchup with a strong start, having secured a 51-0 victory over Lamar Cardinals in their season opener. The Mean Green showed impressive offensive capabilities, racking up 329 passing yards and 138 rushing yards. Their defense also held strong, allowing just 88 passing yards and 31 rushing yards to the Cardinals.
Western Michigan, on the other hand, is looking to rebound from their Week 1 loss to Michigan State. Playing on the road, the Broncos struggled offensively, managing only 6 points against the Spartans. With their first home game of the season, Western Michigan hopes to make adjustments and capitalize on home-field advantage.
Western Michigan vs North Texas At a Glance
- Location: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI
- Game Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- TV Broadcast: ESPN+
- North Texas Record: 1-0 this season
- Western Michigan Record: 0-1 this season
- Game Odds: North Texas favored with a -363 moneyline
Western Michigan Broncos: Analyzing Their 2025 Prospects
Offensive Performance
The Western Michigan Broncos struggled offensively in their season opener, scoring only 6 points. Their passing game contributed 188 yards, ranking them 78th nationally, while their rushing attack was limited to just 29 yards, placing them at a concerning 137th. First downs were also hard to come by, with only 10 achieved against Michigan State.
Last season, the Broncos showed more promise offensively, scoring 376 points and securing 2429 passing yards. However, their current form suggests a need for improvement, especially in the ground game.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, Western Michigan allowed 23 points, showcasing a more solid performance compared to their offensive struggles. They achieved 4 sacks, ranking 4th nationally, and managed to secure 1 interception, reflecting their defensive capabilities.
The Broncos’ defense was notably stronger last season, with 19 sacks and 8 interceptions. Continued focus on defense might serve them well as they progress through the season.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterbacks Broc Lowry and Brady Jones are critical to the Broncos’ offensive execution. Lowry managed 91 passing yards, while Jones recorded 97 yards and one touchdown in their last game.
Running back Jalen Buckley and wide receiver Baylin Brooks will also be vital. Buckley was limited to 21 rushing yards, while Brooks led with 85 receiving yards, indicating potential for greater contributions in future games.
Upcoming Challenges
The Broncos will next host North Texas at Waldo Stadium. This game presents an opportunity for Western Michigan to improve upon their offensive strategies.
They will also visit Illinois, Rhode Island, and Miami (OH) in the coming weeks, facing varied challenges both at home and on the road.
Western Michigan Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Night Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
The Broncos’ current betting trends reflect a challenging start to their season. Their performance as underdogs and in away games remains consistent at 0-1.
North Texas Mean Green Set to Continue Strong Season Against Western Michigan
Overview of North Texas Mean Green’s Dominant Offense
The North Texas Mean Green kicked off their season with a powerful offensive showing, scoring 51 points against the Lamar Cardinals. With 329 passing yards, they ranked 23rd nationally, indicating a strong aerial attack. Their rushing game is also solid with 138 yards, though it stands at 72nd, suggesting room for growth.
First downs came easily for North Texas, with 26 achieved in their last outing, earning them a 15th place in the national rankings. This indicates their ability to sustain drives and control the tempo of the game. Their ability to maintain possession will be crucial against Western Michigan.
Defensive Strength of the Mean Green
The Mean Green defense was impenetrable against Lamar, not allowing a single point and showcasing a defense ranked first in points against. With three sacks, their pass rush ranks fifth nationally, posing a significant threat to opposing quarterbacks.
Furthermore, North Texas demonstrated their ball-hawking skills by recording an interception and recovering a fumble, ranking second and third in these categories, respectively. This opportunistic defense will look to capitalize on any mistakes made by Western Michigan.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is a standout, throwing for 329 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener. His ability to distribute the ball efficiently will be vital in breaking down Western Michigan’s defense.
On the ground, Kiefer Sibley leads the rushing attack with 38 yards and a touchdown, while Wyatt Young and Cameron Dorner provide reliable receiving options, combining for 11 receptions and 195 yards. Their contributions will be essential for North Texas to keep their offensive momentum.
Upcoming Challenges
North Texas faces a tough schedule with their next game at Western Michigan followed by matchups against Washington State and Army. Each of these games presents unique challenges, requiring the Mean Green to continue their high level of play.
Injuries to key players like David Fisher and Landon Sides could impact the team, though both are listed as questionable. Their availability could be crucial for maintaining the team’s defensive and offensive depth.
North Texas Mean Green Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
Western Michigan vs North Texas Prediction: Over 59.0
North Texas showed offensive strength in their first game of the season, scoring 51 points, indicating their ability to put up significant numbers. Their passing game, ranked 23rd, and their 14th rank in points for, suggest they can consistently contribute to a high-scoring game. Given Western Michigan’s defensive stats, they might struggle to contain such an offense, leading to a potential shootout.
Western Michigan’s offensive performance in their first game was underwhelming, with only 6 points, but they are likely to rebound at home. They face a North Texas defense that, while ranked 1st for points against so far, has yet to be tested on the road. The Broncos will aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage and improve their scoring output, contributing to a higher total.
The over/under is set at 59.0, and both teams have the potential to push the score over the set total. North Texas’s high-powered offense is complemented by a defense that can be breached, especially in a road setting, while Western Michigan will look to improve offensively in their first home game. The conditions are ripe for an offensive showcase, pushing the total over 59.0.
Given the offensive firepower of North Texas and the necessity for Western Michigan to step up offensively at home, a projected score of North Texas 41 – Western Michigan 24 seems plausible. This score reflects the expected high-scoring nature of the game.
- Western Michigan vs North Texas Prediction: Over 59.0
- Western Michigan vs North Texas Score: North Texas 41 – Western Michigan 24
