There were major questions about the Ohio Bobcats after a 56-54 loss to 17-point underdog Texas State to start the season. Since then though, the Bobcats have been extremely impressive winning four of their last five with the one loss being a single-digit defeat against Tennessee. Their opponent for Week 7 College Football will be a team that is trying to get to its first bowl game in almost three decades, the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Kickoff for this Week 7 game is set for Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 2 p.m. ET at Peden Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio -6.5
Eastern Michigan +6.5
Over/Under 57.5
Odds Analysis
Eastern Michigan has been one of the most solid teams to back this season. The Eagles are 5-1 ATS and have covered four in a row since a 40-point shellacking at the hands of Missouri. Each of their last four has also gone under the total.
Under is definitely going to be a trendy play as the under has cashed in the Bobcats’ last five games coming into this one and has hit in 10 of the last 14 Ohio home games. Ohio is 7-3 ATS over its last 10 games overall.
Matchup to Watch
The formula that Frank Solich has used to be one of the winningest coaches in the MAC is simple, run the ball and play great defense. Solich has used that to take Ohio to 7 of its 9 all-time bowl appearances and become a staple in the MAC East.
That defense has once again been solid this season. The Bobcats are allowing just 3.21 yards per carry and although the secondary has given up some yards through the air, they have also intercepted nine passes this year.
Ohio’s ability to force turnovers could be a key storyline in this game. The Eagles have been a little loose with the ball, particularly through the air, throwing 10 interceptions this season. Todd Porter has thrown at least one interception in every game he has started this season and although he might not be healthy enough to play, Brogan Roback continued that trend in his start against Toledo last week.
Key Stat
Eastern Michigan has been one of the better teams in the country at converting third-down chances this season and that has helped this team get off to one of its best starts in recent memory. The Eagles have converted 38 of 85 chances, 44.71 percent, and that ability to keep drives alive both helps score points and gives the defense extra rest.
The Bobcats have been one of the better teams in the country at shutting down opponents on third-down though, allowing the chains to move just 35 percent of the time. If it can make Eastern Michigan’s offense get off the field, that will be
Free ATS Pick
Eastern Michigan is somewhat fortunate to be 4-2 at this point. It’s a great story that the Eagles have a winning record in October for the first time in what feels like forever, but this team just isn’t that good. There’s not one thing the Eagles do particularly well, accept maybe punting, and when it comes to relying on a unit to win you a game, it’s unclear whether or not this team has a real playmaker.
The Bobcats and Eagles don’t play much as they are in opposite divisions, but Ohio has dominated this series of late, winning six straight and nine of the last ten.
Solich’s squad hasn’t looked great so far in conference play, but failing to cover against Bowling Green last week was a fluke and the Bobcats should be able to win this one by double digits. Ohio is just too strong and much better than Eastern Michigan is.
College Football Odds: Bobcats 32, Eagles 21
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