The Central Michigan Chippewas travel to Fred C. Yager Stadium to play in a MAC conference match-up against the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks. The contest is set to go off on Friday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on the CBS Sports Network. The Chippewas are a -4 point favorite and the over/under is penciled in at 46.5.
The Chippewas had high hopes after a breath-taking victory over Oklahoma State on the road to open the season. Unfortunately, they have dropped four of the last six games which put Central Michigan at just 5-4 and 2-3 in the conference. To make matters worse, they’ve dropped the last two, most recently falling 27-24 to Kent State on Saturday by field goal as time ran out.
Central Michigan (5-4):
Quarterback Cooper Rush has served-up six interceptions in the last three games. Comparatively, the man-under-center had five in his first six games of 2016. Furthermore, he’s completing only 52.3 percent of his passes during his rough stretch. For the year, Rush has completed 186 passes for over 2,500 with 21 and 11 touchdowns.
The Central Michigan running game has also been average at best through their first nine games of the season. Devon Spalding and Jahray Hayes have carried the ball over 200 times for just under 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. Spalding is listed as questionable for the game against the Redhawks.
The Chippewas productivity resides in their wide receiving corps. Three talented wide outs have kept Central Michigan afloat during this difficult stretch. Combined, they have 107 catches for just under 1,600 yards and 17 scores.
The Central Michigan defense has done pretty good considering they’ve seen a lot of time on the field over the course of the season. The Chippewas have committed 17 turnovers, tied for the second-most in the MAC with Miami (Ohio). Against the pass, Central Michigan surrenders only 199 yards a game. That stat places the Chippewas’ secondary at 26th in the country.
Miami (Ohio) (3-6):
The Redhawks have strung together three straight wins after an 0-6 start to the season. As a result, and find themselves just one game back of Ohio for the MAC East lead. Sophomore quarterback Gus Ragland has sparked the turnaround, as the Redhawks winning streak has corresponded with him taking over the signal calling duties.
In just three games, he has completed just under 50 passes for 571 yards and six touchdown tosses. The greenhorn has yet to throw an interception since taking over as the teams starter.
Two tail backs advance the rock for the Redhawks running attack. Together, they have totaled just under 200 carries for 861 yards and four trips to pay-dirt. Alonzo Smith leads the team with 481 yards and three trips to the promised land.
James Gardner and Jared Murphy are Gus Ragland’s first options in the passing game for the Redhawks. Combined, they have 67 catches for just under 1,000 yards and seven scores.
Tight end Ryan Scott also contributes, catching 20 more balls for 233 yards and three scores. Gardner sat out last week’s game with a shoulder injury and it is uncertain if he will be on the field on Thursday.
Miami (Ohio) has put together a scrappy defense that can create some havoc in the opposing teams back field. The Redhawks have forced seven turnovers during their winning streak and Juco transfer J.T. Jones is tied for the second in the MAC with 11 tackles for loss. The play-maker is also third in the conference with 6 1/2 sacks.
Trends and Notes:
The Chippewas are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Redhawks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
The Over is 4-1 in the Chippewas last 5 games in November.
The Under is 7-1 in the Redhawks last 8 games overall.
The Road team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Central Michigan Chippewas will look to right the ship when they enter Oxford, Ohio to play the Redhawks. Even though they’ve struggled, a victory on Friday would give them six wins a make them bowl eligible. Quarterback Cooper Rush has to play better if there is any chance of that happening on Friday.
The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks are on a roll and Gus Ragland is the spark that they needed to turn their hopeless season around. Now, the Redhawks are at home and are actually playing for something. If they find a way to win, they could potentially find themselves a top the MAC East conference standings.
Cooper Rush hasn’t shown any signs that he’s gaining any confidence. It doesn’t get any easier with J.T. Jones and company squaring-off a cross the line from you. Gus Ragland seems to have found something and the Redhawks are responding.
Momentum is everything at this time of the year, and the Rainmaker at Get More Sports suggests that you ride the Redhawks in this one. He has by the way, three straight times over the last three weeks. Take Miami (Ohio) to cover the +4 and don’t sweat the low over/under in this game.
