Two schools that prefer to run the football, Chippewas of Central Michigan (+7.5) are ready to welcome their conference rival Buffalo Bulls (-7.5) to Kelly/Shorts Stadium. This daytime matchup will commence at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Buffalo is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 7.5 points. The Bulls are also receiving -330 moneyline odds while the Chippewas are +250. If one side can create a bunch of points early it’ll generate a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
The sharp action is siding with both the Bulls and the under. The line originally opened at 6.5 while the O/U was initially 52.
The Bulls are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.7 units this season. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 4-0. The Chippewas are down 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. They’re 4-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-3.
The Bulls are 4-1 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Chippewas are 1-4 SU overall and 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Bulls came up short to Army West Point 42-13 in a blowout where the passing attack could’ve been more effective as Tyree Jackson completed just 10-of-24 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. Emmanuel Reed (63 yards on 16 rush attempts) provided the running attack in the loss while K.J. Osborn (four receptions, 82 yards, one TD) and Charlie Jones (two catches, 53 yards) handled the receiving duties.
One week ago, Michigan State took care of this Central Michigan crew by a score of 31-20. The Chippewas defense allowed the Spartans to rush for 160 yards on 47 attempts, including four rush TDs. Felton Davis III had a productive outing, posting 66 yards on three catches for Michigan State. For Central Michigan, Tommy Lazzaro completed 19-of-34 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Lazzaro (32 rushing yards on 11 attempts) handled the ground game in the defeat as Julian Hicks (five receptions, 41 yards, one TD) and Brandon Childress (three catches, 46 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Looking at offensive play-calling, each squad has a strikingly similar (55-45) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Bulls have rushed for 151 yards/game and have nine touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Chippewas haven’t been quite as productive, as they’re totaling 109 rush yards per game and have three total rushing TDs.
Based on the early season results, it seems like the Bulls ought to own an edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game, since their backfield has produced 4.1 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.7 to opponents. The Chippewas have recorded 3.1 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.3 to opponents.
The Bulls offensive scheme has logged 243 yards per contest through the air overall and has 16 passing TDs so far. The Chippewas have put up 147 pass yards per contest and have five total pass scores.
Defensively, Buffalo has allowed 171 rush yards and 185 pass yards per game. The Central Michigan defense has given up 149.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 187.4 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.32 to opposing QBs, while the Bulls have given up a 5.23 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jackson has put up 941 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 61 percent of his 122 attempts with 13 scores through the air and only one interception. Jackson’s got a 9.48 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.79 over the last two outings.
In the other huddle, Tommy Lazzaro has managed to complete 32-of-56 passes for 281 yards, two TDs and three INTs. Lazzaro’s ANY/A sits at a horrendous 2.68 for the year and 2.04 over his past two games.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to play each other in 2017.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Buffalo Bulls vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
SU Winner – Central Michigan, ATS Winner – Central Michigan, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Central Michigan offense has lost four fumbles this season while Buffalo has lost one.
The Buffalo defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 12 times this year. Central Michigan has registered 11 sacks.
Buffalo has produced 4.15740740740741 yards per carry across its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
Central Michigan has averaged 3.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.5 over its past two.
Over its last three matchups, Central Michigan is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Buffalo was favored by 7 points in its previous game and the O/U was set at 54. The over cashed and Buffalo failed to cover in the 42-13 defeat to Army West Point.
In its last three contests, Buffalo is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Central Michigan was favored by 28 points in its previous match and the Over/Under was 45.5. The over cashed and Central Michigan failed to cover in the 31-20 defeat to Michigan State.
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