It’ll be a MAC-MAC showdown as the Central Michigan Chippewas (-7) are favorites against the Miami (OH) RedHawks in the MAC Championship Game. ESPN2 has the TV rights and this vital afternoon game is scheduled to get underway at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Miami (OH) RedHawks at Central Michigan Chippewas
Miami (OH) is the underdog in this MAC game and is currently getting 7 points. The RedHawks are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Chippewas are -270. There might be multiple good in-game betting opportunities in this contest, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 54 points.
The game’s total has shifted up after opening at 53. The original line has stayed firm.
Each of these teams has posted a positive return this year as the RedHawks have gained 3.5 units and the Chippewas are ahead 6.5 units.
The RedHawks have gone 7-5 straight up (SU), including 6-2 SU against conference opponents. The Chippewas are 8-4 SU overall and 6-2 SU in conference play.
The RedHawks are reeling from a 41-27 loss to Ball State last week. The passing game could’ve been sharper as the RedHawks completed 10-of-19 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jackson Williamson went four-for-11 for 52 yards and two interceptions while Brett Gabbert completed six-of-eight for 116 yards and one touchdown. Jaylon Bester (59 yards on 15 rushes, one TD) spearheaded the ground attack while Jack Sorenson (four receptions, 76 yards, one TD) and James Maye (one catch, 45 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Central Michigan is coming off of a 49-7 win over Toledo. Quinten Dormady completed 15-of-19 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Kobe Lewis (131 yards on 22 rush attempts, two TDs) and Jonathan Ward (88 yards on 13 carries, one TD) handled the running game while JaCorey Sullivan (five receptions, 83 yards) and Kalil Pimpleton (four catches, 33 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Miami (OH) has run the ball on 62.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Central Michigan has a rush percentage of 53.9 percent. The RedHawks have produced 137.8 rush yards/game (including 158.9 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 19 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Chippewas are totaling 194 rushing yards per game (210.8 in conference) and have 33 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Chippewas may own an edge in terms of RB efficiency, as their backfield has logged 5.0 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.5 to opponents. The RedHawks have ran for 3.6 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.2 to opponents.
The RedHawks offense has averaged 170.9 yards in the air overall (187.9 per game versus conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Chippewas have produced 259.2 pass yards per contest (304 in the MAC) and have 18 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Miami (OH) seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 180.3 rush yards and 202.3 pass yards per game. The Central Michigan defense has allowed 239.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 118.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The RedHawks are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.52 to opponents, while the Chippewas have given up a 6.35 ANY/A.
Dormady probably has the advantage over Brett Gabbert in this matchup. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 8.15 for the season and 10.19 over his past two games while Gabbert’s ANY/A is 6.54 and 4.84 over the past two games.
These two MAC adversaries did not get a chance to face one another in 2018.
Miami (OH) RedHawks at Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Pick
SU Winner: Central Michigan, ATS Winner: Central Michigan, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Over/Under for Miami (OH)’s previous game was set at 55.5. The over cashed in the team’s 41-27 loss to Ball State.
- Miami (OH) has rushed for 4.5 yards per attempt over its last three games and 4.3 over its last two.
- Central Michigan has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its past two.
- The Central Michigan offense has lost 15 fumbles this season while Miami (OH) has lost seven.
- Over its last three matchups, Miami (OH) is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Central Michigan’s last game was 64.5. The under cashed in that 49-7 victory over Toledo.
- Over its last three matches, Central Michigan is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Central Michigan has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -23-point defeat to Buffalo on October 26th accounting for the lone loss over that stretch.
- The RedHawks offense has registered 11 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Chippewas have put up seven such plays.
- The Miami (OH) defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while Central Michigan has given up seven such plays.
- The Miami (OH) offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Central Michigan has created 16 such runs.
- The RedHawks defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Chippewas have given up 10 such runs.
- The Miami (OH) defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 35 times this year. Central Michigan has produced just 24 sacks.
