Frank Solich has been amazing since taking over as head coach of the Ohio Bobcats and is poised to have the team win the MAC East for the first time in the last five seasons. Ohio has been a contender in the MAC for as long as he has been in Athens, having made a bowl in each season but once since 2009, but the one thing that has eluded this team is a MAC Championship. A win against the Central Michigan Chippewas in College Football Week 12.
Watch this Week 12 matchup live on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio -1
Central Michigan +1
Odds Analysis
The Bobcats have been solid this season both SU and ATS. Ohio is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS this season and have been the best under team in the nation through 10 games. The under is 8-1-1 in Ohio games thanks to its fantastic defense.
Central Michigan notched the conference’s biggest out-of-conference win when it knocked off Oklahoma State, but the Chips have fallen apart since that moment. The Chippewas have failed to cover six of their last seven and have are still searching for one more win in order to become bowl eligible.
Player to Watch
Quinton Maxwell might be just a freshman but he has played with more seasoning than you would think since taking over the quarterbacking duties in Athens. Maxwell isn’t a polished passer, but has steadily improved each week and put up his best numbers of the season in a 24-point win against Buffalo a little over a week ago.
For the first time in his young career, Maxwell threw for over 200 yards and also had his best rushing numbers of the season. He finished the day with 271 total yards and three touchdowns and while that may not sound that impressive compared to other schools, all the Bobcats need is a competent quarterback.
Maxwell isn’t going to throw the ball much in this offense, instead his role is to limit turnovers and just be competent when he’s in the pocket. If he can do that, Ohio has a great chance of winning.
Matchup to Watch
If Central Michigan is going to knock off Ohio, it’s going to need a good game from Cooper Rush. The Chips haven’t been very effective at running the ball, averaging less than 4 yards per carry, and the Bobcats run defense is the best in the MAC, holding opponents to a scant 3.22 yards an attempt.
That means it will be up to Rush to move the ball on Ohio’s offense, but he has had an up-and-down senior season. He is completing less than 60 percent of his passes and has been more turnover prone than he has in previous years, having thrown an interception in 8 of his 10 starts. Rush has to have a good game for Central Michigan to be able to move to 6-5.
Free ATS Pick
In a game with a short spread like this, special teams play takes on extra importance. Central Michigan has a kicker that is among the worst in the nation when it comes to putting the ball through the uprights, making just 5 of his 13 field goal attempts in 2016. It’s not like he is just missing long field goals either, hitting less than 50 percent from 30-39 yards and 40-49 yards. His inability to make kicks has cost Central Michigan on more than one occasion and is something to keep in mind.
The Bobcats might be playing on the road, but are the better side and deserving of your money here. Ohio should be able to control the clock and move the ball on the ground and stifle Central Michigan’s offense throughout the game.
College Football Odds: Bobcats 27, Chippewas 21
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