One zero-game losing streak will conclude as the Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Bowling Green Falcons. This afternoon game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET and fans can witness the action live on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Bowling Green Falcons
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Central Michigan has been tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 7 points. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, bettors would currently need to lay down $300 in order to win $100 back on the Chippewas (-300). The Falcons are getting +220 moneyline odds. This MAC matchup should provide several decent live betting scenarios, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 52 points.
The game’s over/under hasn’t changed after it was initially set at 52. Having said that, the opening line was -10 so the sharp action is siding with the Falcons.
The Falcons have lost 4.0 units so far in 2018 and are 2-7 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 5-3.
The disappointing Chippewas have lost 7.8 units this season. They’re 5-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-7.
The Falcons have gone 1-8 straight up (SU), including 0-5 SU against conference opponents. The Chippewas are 1-9 SU overall and 0-6 SU in conference play.
Each team enters the matchup on a six-game losing skid. The Falcons are trying to get back in stride after a 35-28 loss to Kent State last week. Jarret Doege completed just 20 passes on 37 attempts for 207 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Rico Frye (just 36 yards on 17 rush attempts) led the ground attack while Scott Miller (six receptions, 75 yards) and Hargrove (four catches, 41 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Central Michigan just fell 17-7 to Eastern Michigan. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Eagles to run for 137 yards on 43 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Shaq Vann had a productive showing, recording 114 rushing yards and a score on 13 attempts for Eastern Michigan. As a group, the Chippewas collectively completed 12-of-32 passes for 61 yards and two interceptions. Tony Poljan went 10-for-27 for 39 yards and one interception while Austin Hergott was two-of-five for 22 yards and one interception. Romello Ross (57 yards on 17 rush attempts) handled the running attack as Devon Spalding (six receptions, 36 yards) and JaCorey Sullivan (three catches, 18 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Bowling Green has run the ball on 47.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Central Michigan has a rush percentage of 56.4 percent. The Falcons have rushed for 104.7 yards per game (including 119.6 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have seven scores on the ground this year. The Chippewas are totaling 132.7 rushing yards per game (158.0 in conference) and have seven total rush TDs.
The Falcons offense has averaged 266.3 yards through the air overall (282.6 per game against conference opposition) and has 24 passing scores so far. The Chippewas have produced 138.7 pass yards per contest (135 against MAC competition) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Bowling Green has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 320.9 yards and throw for 179.8 yards per game. The Central Michigan defense has allowed 148.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 198.5 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.18 to opposing QBs, while the Falcons have allowed an ugly 8.83 ANY/A.
Offensively, Doege is up to 2,071 passing yards this year, and has completed 183-of-298 attempts with 21 scores through the air and eight interceptions. He’s got a 6.16 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.92 over the last two outings.
Scott Miller (715 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns this season), Quintin Morris (412 receiving yards, six receiving TDs) and Rico Frye (173 rush yards) have each played key roles of late.
On the other sideline, Tony Poljan has connected on 57-of-110 passes for 456 yards, two TDs and five INTs. Poljan’s ANY/A stands at a very poor 1.66 for the year and 1.32 over his last two games.
We expect the Chippewas to control the game’s pace by pounding the defense with their running backs. Devon Spalding (133 receiving yards this season) has contributed lately, but Romello Ross (251 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Kumehnnu Gwilly (213 rush yards, one rush TD) have delivered significant production to the Central Michigan offense.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to play each other last year.
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Central Michigan Chippewas Free Prediction
SU Winner: Central Michigan, ATS Winner: Central Michigan, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- Bowling Green has averaged 3.7 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 2.9 over its last two.
- Central Michigan has averaged 2.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and only 2.6 over its last two.
- The Central Michigan offense has lost eight fumbles this season while Bowling Green has lost seven.
- The Falcons offense has produced nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Chippewas have put up zero such plays.
- The Bowling Green defense has allowed 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Central Michigan has given up two such plays.
- The Bowling Green offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Central Michigan has created five such runs.
- The Falcons defense has allowed 26 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Chippewas have given up 22 such runs.
- The Central Michigan defense has created more than twice as many sacks as Bowling Green this season (22 versus 10).
