The Central Michigan Chippewas (5-4) are looking to extend their three-game winning streak as they meet the Toledo Rockets (7-1). Players to watch in this matchup are the MAC’s second-leading passer, Cooper Rush (2,626 yards, 20 TDs), and the third-leading rusher, Terry Swanson (723 yards, 5 TDs). Central Michigan comes into this game looking to continue its recent success, having won four of its last five. Players will take the field Tuesday, Nov 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET and the game will air on ESP2.
Central Michigan beat Akron 14-6 in their last game. Anthony Rice had a big game in the win, registering nine receptions for 105 yards and one TD. Mark Chapman added 62 receiving yards on four receptions. Toledo didn’t have the same success as Central Michigan, falling to Northern Illinois 32-27. Terry Swanson had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Rockets, rushing for 133 yards on 16 carries. Kareem Hunt also had a big game with 140 rushing yards and two TDs on 25 attempts.
Toledo is a six-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
Heading into Week 11 of the college football season, the Chippewas are 5-4 Straight Up (SU) and 7-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the Chippewas have records of 4-1 for both SU and ATS. Central Michigan has seen an increase in scoring in recent weeks compared to its 26.3 points per game average. Over the past five games, they’ve averaged 31 points per game. Central Michigan has America’s 21st-ranked passing attack, which averages 296.2 yards per game. The Central Michigan pass defense has played at another level the past five games as well. It has given up 191.0 passing yards per game during that span. Based on an average time of possession of 33:16 per game, which ranks 18th in the nation, look for Central Michigan to control the clock.
Across the field, the Rockets have a record of 7-1 for both ATS and SU. In the previous five games, Toledo has a record of 4-1 both SU and ATS as well. Hopefully Central Michigan’s defense is better than its timing. It will be matching up against a Rockets offense that is on fire lately, averaging 524 total yards over their last five games. Shifting to the other side of the ball, the Toledo defense can dominate if it takes advantage of some favorable matchups. The Rockets may be able to focus their attention on other areas, because Central Michigan’s run game has not been reliable this year. The Chippewas rank 125th in the nation with 95.3 rushing yards per game. Special teams usually provides a spark for Toledo. They average the 13th-most return yards in the nation with 121.9.
Predictions: SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Toledo
Notes
Central Michigan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Central Michigan’s last 6 games.
Central Michigan is 8-17 ATS in its last 25 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Central Michigan’s last 16 games at home.
Central Michigan is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
Central Michigan is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toledo.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Central Michigan’s last 6 games when playing Toledo.
Central Michigan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toledo.
Central Michigan is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Toledo.
Toledo is 7-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Central Michigan is 5-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Remarkably, Central Michigan is only 1-4 SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (2-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
Toledo has drawn an average of 8.8 penalties on opponents this season. Central Michigan is an even 2-2 SU when penalized at least eight times in a game.
The Toledo rush defense is ranked 26th in the country, and will look to contain the 125th-ranked ground attack of Central Michigan.
