Wagner Seahawks vs Mercyhurst Lakers Predictions

Mercyhurst has the clearer path

Mercyhurst University Athletics reports that both teams enter Saturday at 1-8 overall and 0-4 in NEC play. The Lakers are 1-1 at home, while Wagner is 0-5 on the road. Mercyhurst also won last season’s meeting 19-7 at Wagner.

Quarterback Alex Gevaudan has thrown for 1,997 yards and 17 touchdowns. Mercyhurst averages 239.3 passing yards per game, third in the NEC, and converts 38.5% of its third downs. Those numbers favor the Lakers against a Wagner defense allowing 36.6 points and 386.2 yards per game.

Why the spread is a pass

SPF lists Mercyhurst at -8.5 and -345. The Lakers are the likely winner, but laying more than a touchdown with a 1-8 team requires more certainty than the available information provides.

Wagner averages only 13.2 points per game and converts 29.3% of its third downs, but its quarterback situation remains unclear. Benjamin Newman and Jason Wiley Jr. both played against Merrimack, and Mercyhurst University Athletics did not identify a starter for Saturday. That uncertainty does not create value on Wagner, but it weakens the case for a Mercyhurst spread bet.

The total is 49.5, but there is not enough lineup or weather information to support an over or under wager. Pass on the game.