The Central Michigan Chippewas and No. 21 Michigan State Spartans will go toe-to-toe on the grass of Spartan Stadium. FS1 will televise the action and this afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview
Central Michigan is a big road underdog here and is currently getting 29 points by bookmakers. Multiple good live betting scenarios may be unveiled during the game, and oddsmakers have yet to determine what the game’s over/under (O/U) will be.
The initial odds have recently shifted. This game’s opening line was -28.
The Chippewas are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) and are down 2.5 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 1-3. The Spartans have lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-1.
The Chippewas are 1-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Spartans are 2-1 SU.
The Chippewas are coming off a resounding 17-5 win over Maine last week. The passing game could’ve been better as Tommy Lazzaro completed just seven-of-16 passes for 82 yards, along with a TD and an interception. Jonathan Ward (17 yards on 15 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Lazzaro (44 yards on 14 carries, one TD) spearheaded the ground attack in the win. Cameron Cole (two receptions, 17 yards) and Julian Hicks (two catches, 38 yards) shared the receiving duties.
The Michigan State Spartans are coming off of a 35-21 win over Indiana. The defensive secondary let the Hoosiers air it out for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Whop Philyor was a bright spot in the loss, posting 148 yards on 13 catches for Indiana. For Michigan State, Brian Lewerke completed 14-of-25 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Connor Heyward (23 rushing yards on 12 attempts) and the signal-caller Lewerke (-6 yards on 10 carries) mounted the ground attack in the win while Felton Davis III (five receptions, 79 yards) and Cody White (four catches, 77 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Central Michigan has run the ball on 58.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Michigan State has an overall rush percentage of 52.7 percent. The Chippewas have produced 120 rush yards per game and have three scores via handoffs this year. The Spartans are averaging 120 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
It appears that the Spartans should hold an advantage in terms of RB efficiency. Their backfield has logged 3.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 1.1 to opponents. The Chippewas have registered 3.1 yards per carry while allowing 4.5 YPC to opponents.
The Chippewas offensive scheme has averaged 139 yards in the air overall and has three passing TDs so far. The Spartans have put up 273 pass yards per game and have five total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Central Michigan appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 194 rush yards and 140 pass yards per game. The Michigan State defense has allowed 323.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 32.7 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.00 to opposing QBs, while the Spartans have given up a 5.16 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lazzaro is up to 82 passing yards this season, and has completed 44 percent of his 16 attempts with one passing scores and one interception. He has a 2.47 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.36 over the last two games.
We expect the Central Michigan offense to mix it up in this one. Jonathan Ward (82 rushing yards this season), Julian Hicks (38 receiving yards) and Tommy Lazzaro (44 rush yards, one rush TD, 0 receiving yards) have each played big roles recently.
Brian Lewerke has connected on 37-of-58 passes for 500 yards, four TDs and three INTs for Michigan State. His ANY/A sits at 6.02 for the year and 5.80 across his past two games.
Look for Lewerke to attack all areas of the Central Michigan secondary. Cody White (147 receiving yards and one receiving TD this season), Felton Davis III (148 receiving yards, one receiving TD), and Jalen Nailor (30 receiving yards, one TD) have collectively put up 353 receiving yards and two scores over the last two games.
Betting Prediction: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Michigan State Spartans
SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Central Michigan
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Central Michigan has rushed for 3.0 yards per carry over its past two outings.
Michigan State has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last two.
The Michigan State offense has lost three fumbles this season while Central Michigan has lost four.
The Chippewas offense has recorded zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Spartans have accounted for one such play.
The Central Michigan defense has yet to allow a passing play of 40 or more yards, while Michigan State has given up one such play.
The Central Michigan offense has created zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Michigan State has created three such runs.
The Chippewas defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Spartans have given up zero such runs.
The Central Michigan defense has nine sacks on the year while Michigan State has eight.
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