A couple of schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Rockets of Toledo (-19) are gearing up to greet their in-conference counterpart Central Michigan Chippewas in Glass Bowl. ESPN 3 owns the TV rights and kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Central Michigan Chippewas at Toledo Rockets Betting Preview
In this Friday Mid-American game, Toledo has been tabbed as the big favorite and is currently giving up 19 points. The Chippewas are also receiving +830 moneyline odds while the Rockets are -1550. Multiple decent live betting opportunities might be unveiled during this game, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points.
Sharp bettors are siding with the over, as the game’s total initially opened at 51.5.
The less-than-stellar Chippewas are 5-6 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 11.2 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 3-8. The Rockets have lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-6 ATS and six of their games have gone over the total.
The Chippewas have gone 1-10 straight up (SU), including 0-7 SU against conference opponents. The Rockets are 6-5 SU overall and 4-3 SU in conference play.
The Chippewas came up short to Bowling Green 24-13 in a contest where their defense allowed the Falcons to eat up the clock by running for 178 yards on 51 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. On the offense, Austin Hergott completed just 11 passes on 21 attempts for 94 yards, as well as one TD and an interception. Romello Ross (just 33 yards on 13 rushes) led the running attack while Devon Spalding (four receptions, 34 yards) and Julian Hicks (two catches, 40 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Toledo just earned a 56-34 win over Kent State. Eli Peters completed 11-of-14 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant Koback (192 yards on 17 rush attempts, two TDs) and Art Thompkins (122 yards on 14 carries, two TDs) spearheaded the running game while Desmond Phillips (three receptions, 17 yards) and Shakif Seymour (two catches, zero yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Each of these teams has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Central Michigan has run the ball on 56.5 percent of its offensive possessions while Toledo has a rush percentage of 58.3. The Chippewas have run for 127 yards/game (including 145 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Rockets are averaging 217 rush yards per game (243 in conference) and have 24 total rushing TDs.
The Chippewas offensive scheme has averaged 135 yards through the air overall (129 per game against conference opposition) and has nine passing scores so far. The Rockets have produced 229 pass yards per outing (205.6 against MAC foes) and have 28 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Central Michigan should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 197 yards and pass for 148 yards per game. The Toledo defense has given up 270.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 187.6 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.06 to opposing QBs, while the Rockets have given up a 6.31 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Hergott is up to 94 yards on the year. He’s completed 11-of-21 attempts with one scores through the air and one interception. He’s got a 2.77 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 1.07 over the last two outings.
We’re expecting the Chippewas to control tempo by getting the ball in the hands of their running backs. Along with Devon Spalding (147 yards), Romello Ross (302 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Kumehnnu Gwilly (234 rush yards, one rush TD) have brought significant production to the offensive gameplans for Central Michigan.
In the home locker room, Eli Peters has connected on 84-of-150 passes for 1,129 yards, 13 TDs and six INTs. Peters’ ANY/A stands at 7.03 for the year and 6.45 across his last two outings.
The Rockets also like to keep their running backs involved. Cody Thompson (456 receiving yards, 10 TDs) has contributed lately, but Bryant Koback (704 rush yards, 11 rush TDs) and Art Thompkins (450 rush yards, five rush TDs) have gotten a multitude of action lately.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Toledo won handily 30-10.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Toledo Rockets
SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Toledo, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Over/Under for Central Michigan’s previous game was set at 50. The under cashed in the team’s 24-13 loss to Bowling Green.
Central Michigan has produced 2.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 2.4 over its last two.
Toledo has averaged 5.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 6.1 over its last two.
The Toledo offense has lost three fumbles this season while Central Michigan has lost nine.
Over its last three matches, Central Michigan is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Toledo’s last outing was 57.5. The over cashed in the 56-34 win over Kent State.
Over its last three matches, Toledo is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Toledo has won four of its last five games SU, with a -23-point loss to Northern Illinois on November 7th accounting for the only slip-up over that span.
The Chippewas offense has created zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Rockets have put up eight such plays.
The Central Michigan defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Toledo has given up 11 such plays.
The Central Michigan offense has created five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Toledo has created 22 such runs.
The Chippewas defense has allowed 25 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Rockets have given up 22 such runs.
The Central Michigan defensive unit has 29 sacks on the year while Toledo has 28.
*****
