With one more win the Central Michigan Chippewas will be bowl eligible this season. It’s been a solid year for the Chips who scored what may have been the conference’s biggest win when they knocked off Oklahoma State in September. Central Michigan has had a tougher time in conference play with just a 2-3 mark though. In College Football Week 10, the Chips will look to move to .500 in the MAC with a win over the Miami (OH) Redhawks.
This contest in Week 10 will go down Friday, November 4, 2016, at 6 p.m. ET at Fred C. Yager Stadium. This game will be broadcast on CBSS.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Central Michigan -4
Miami (OH) +4
Over/Under 48
Odds Analysis
Central Michigan has had some issues covering the spread in conference play. The Chips are 1-4 ATS and have been blown out by Western Michigan and Toledo, and lost as a double-digit favorite to Kent State last week. Other than their win against Oklahoma State though, the Chippewas have not defeated a team with a winning record this season.
The Redhawks started the season 0-6 SU and 3-3 ATS but have roared back on the strength of three straight wins and shockingly enough have a chance to win the MAC East. Miami (OH) has been an underdog in all of its FBS games this season and will be again on Friday.
Player to Watch
Cooper Rush has had a solid four seasons in Mount Pleasant and while this season won’t be his best, he is still having a season that puts him among the best in the MAC. Rush’s completion percentage has dipped by seven percentage points, but his yards per attempt and touchdown to interception ratio remains on par with his best season.
If you’re looking for a reason why Rush’s numbers have fallen off, look at what has happened with his offensive line. His pass blockers are the worst they have been of any of his four seasons and he has had to hurry his passes. Rush has never been sacked more than 28 times in a season, but has already reached that total this year.
Key Stat
Rushing yards have been hard to come by in Redhawks games this season. Miami has been abysmal at moving the ball on the ground, averaging just 3.25 yards a carry. The leading rusher on the team is Alonzo Smith who hasn’t broken a run of more than 18 yards on his 133 carries. The lack of explosive plays has meant a lot of third downs for Miami.
These same Redhawks have been demons at stopping the run, especially over their last three games. Miami allowed its opponents just 2.5 yards a carry and that was a huge part in each of its wins. It should do a solid job against a Central Michigan team averaging 4.03 yards a carry.
Free ATS Pick
Central Michigan has covered five of the last seven in this series, but isn’t as strong as it usually is. The Chips are just 1-5 ATS in their last six games against MAC opponents. Meanwhile, the Redhawks are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 conference games and are 10-4 ATS over their last 14 overall.
One of the other big reasons for Miami’s recent success has been QB Gus Ragland. Ragland took over the starting job against Kent State and has been splendid ever since. He has thrown six touchdowns against just zero interceptions over the Redhawks’ last three wins and given the fanbase hope for the future.
The Redhawks’ defensive line should have its way with the Chips. This group has been good at pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run all season and matches up well against Central Michigan. Look for Miami to get the outright win here.
College Football Odds: Redhawks 27, Chippewas 24
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