Two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Jim McElwain and the Central Michigan Chippewas (+2) are set to face off against their conference nemesis Buffalo Bulls (-2) at UB Stadium. ESPN+ has the TV rights and the game’s scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Buffalo Bulls
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Buffalo is getting picked as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 2 points. The Chippewas are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Bulls are -120. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 49.5 points. There will likely be multiple good live betting scenarios for this game.
After the game’s total was initially set at 51, the early action has leaned toward the under.
Each of these teams has rewarded gamblers this year as the Chippewas have gained 4.5 units while the Bulls are up 1.4 units.
The Chippewas have gone 5-3 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against conference opponents. The Bulls are 3-4 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Chippewas are trying to keep things going after a solid 38-20 win over Bowling Green last week where Quinten Dormady completed 22 passes for 295 yards, along with one TD and an interception. Jonathan Ward (130 rushing yards on 21 attempts, three TDs) and Kobe Lewis (125 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the ground attack in the win while JaCorey Sullivan (eight receptions, 126 yards, one TD) and Tony Poljan (four catches, 89 yards) manned the receiving duties.
Buffalo is coming off of a lopsided 21-0 win over Akron. The defensive unit held its ground in the victory, keeping the Zips to only 193 passing yards and three rushing yards. Julian Hicks was a bright spot in the loss for Akron, posting 51 yards on nine catches. For Buffalo, Kyle Vantrease completed 14-of-23 passes for 65 yards. Kevin Marks (71 rushing yards on 19 attempts, one TD) and Jaret Patterson (88 yards on 17 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the win as Daniel Lee (six receptions, 30 yards) and Antonio Nunn (three catches, 25 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Central Michigan has run the ball on 52.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Buffalo has an overall rush percentage of 68.6 percent. The Chippewas have produced 187.5 rush yards/game (including 214.5 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 18 scores via handoffs this year. The Bulls are averaging 224.4 rushing yards per game (226.3 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
The Chippewas offensive scheme has tallied 241.4 yards per contest in the air overall (313 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Bulls have produced 127.7 pass yards per game (117 against MAC foes) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Central Michigan has allowed opponents to run for an average of 111.5 yards and pass for 253.3 yards per game. The Buffalo defense has allowed 203.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 95.3 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Chippewas have given up an ANY/A of 6.39 to opposing QBs, while the Bulls are yielding an ANY/A of 6.33.
Dormady has been more efficient than Vantrease of late, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 6.69for the season and 7.40 over the last two outings. Vantrease’s ANY/A is 3.07 for the season and 6.57 over his last two games.
When these two squads met last year, Buffalo earned the win 34-24.
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Buffalo Bulls Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Central Michigan, ATS Winner: Central Michigan, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Each team defense has tallied 20 sacks this season.
- Buffalo has lost seven fumbles in 2019 while the Central Michigan offense has lost 10.
- Each team has produced four pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Chippewas have have made 10 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Bulls have accounted for six such plays.
- The Central Michigan defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Buffalo has given up five such plays.
- The Central Michigan offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Buffalo has created 11 such runs.
- Both teams have allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Chippewas have given up 35 running plays of 10+ yards while the Bulls have given up 14 such plays.
- The O/U for Buffalo’s last matchup was 47.5. The under cashed in the 21-0 victory over Akron.
- Over its last three matches, Buffalo is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, Central Michigan is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Central Michigan’s previous game was set at 54.5. The over cashed in the team’s 38-20 triumph over Bowling Green.
- As a team, Central Michigan has averaged 6.5 yards per rush attempt over its past three contests and 6.3 over its last two.
- Buffalo has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.4 over its last two.
