2010 GMAC Bowl Troy vs. Central Michigan Start Time, TV Guide & Odds
Mobile, AL – Coach Butch Jones took the Central Michigan football program to new heights. He won't be around to fully enjoy the fruits of his labor.
With the first national ranking in their history but without the coach who led them there, the No. 25 Chippewas will face Sun Belt Conference champion Troy on Jan. 6 at the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made Central Michigan -4 point spread favorites (View College Football odds) for the Wednesday, Jan. 6 game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 66% of bets for this game have been placed on Central Michigan -4 (View College Football bet percentages).
Central Michigan (11-2) is champion of the Mid-American Conference for the third time in four seasons, with the last two titles coming under Jones. The coach posted a 27-13 record in his three seasons, marked by a spread offense that averaged 32.6 points during his tenure and exceeded 45 points five times in 2009. A 20-10 victory over Ohio in the MAC championship game vaulted the Chippewas into the Top 25 for the first time.
After that success, No. 4 Cincinnati came calling. Faced with a coaching vacancy after Brian Kelly left for Notre Dame, the Bearcats tabbed Jones for the job.
"We are very thankful for the contributions Butch Jones has made to our football program, our university and our community," athletic director Dave Heeke said. "Any opportunity that arises for him is a reflection of the high-quality student-athletes and strong tradition that Central Michigan has enjoyed. We are excited to be a Top 25 program preparing for our fourth consecutive bowl game. We wish him and his family all the best at the University of Cincinnati."
Associate coach Steve Stripling will lead the Chippewas on an interim basis.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to lead this program," Stripling, who has 30 years of coaching experience, told the school's official Web site. "We want to make this a winning experience and have an enjoyable experience as well. This team has accomplished a lot already this season, and we are looking forward to achieving our goals of being bowl champions and finishing in the Top 25."
The Chippewas may no longer have the coach who installed their high-powered offense, but they still have the record-setting quarterback who makes it run.
Four-year starter Dan LeFevour has thrown for 27 touchdowns and run for 14 to bring his career total to 147 TDs passing, rushing and receiving. That sets the major college football mark, previously shared by Hawaii's Colt Brennan and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell.
"It's pretty cool," LeFevour said. "When you play four years in a spread offense, you're going to get a shot at some of those."
Having a record-setting receiver to target also helps. Senior Bryan Anderson has caught at least one pass in an NCAA record 53 consecutive games, and has 57 receptions for 700 yards and six touchdowns this season. Junior Antonio Brown, meanwhile, has team highs of 97 catches, 1,020 yards and nine scores.
Troy's offense may be able to keep pace. The Trojans (9-3) averaged 33.1 points - 41.2 over their last six games - en route to winning at least a share of the Sun Belt title for the fourth consecutive year.
They also boast a record-setting quarterback of their own. Senior Levi Brown ranks second in the nation with 322.3 passing yards per game, and his 3,868 yards were the most in the history of both Troy and the Sun Belt.
"Levi is certainly deserving of all the recognition he has received," said coach Larry Blakeney, whose 153 wins are the most in Troy history. "This honor is a testament not only to the kind of player Levi has become, but also to the perseverance he displayed to put himself in position to succeed."
When Brown isn't throwing the ball, he's often handing it off to Shawn Southward. The running back ranked fifth in the nation among freshmen with 10 rushing touchdowns and gained 574 yards on 100 carries. He's taken some of the workload away from junior DuJuan Harris, whose production fell from 1,077 rushing yards in 2008 to 471.
Troy lost in overtime to Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl following last season. The Trojans earned their lone bowl victory in three tries in 2006, beating Rice at the New Orleans Bowl.
The Chippewas are 1-4 in bowl games, defeating Middle Tennessee in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. This is the first time they've ventured out of state in postseason play since 1994, when they fell to UNLV in the Las Vegas Bowl.
This is the first meeting between these schools.
2010 GMAC Bowl
Teams: Troy vs. Central Michigan
Kickoff: Jan. 6, 2010 at 7PM ET
Venue: Ladd Peebles Stadium
TV: ESPN
Odds:
Troy +4 Over 64 (+135)
Central Michigan -4 Under 64 (-155)
2010 GMAC Bowl Central Michigan vs. Troy Picks & Predictions
The Mid-American Conference has one last shot to get a bowl win this season as Central Michigan takes on Troy in the 2010 GMAC Bowl Wednesday at 7PM ET from Ladd-Pebbles Stadium.
Central Michigan is 11-2 on the year and 8-3-1 against the spread. The Chippewas are the MAC Champions and ranked for the first time in school history, coming in 25th in the AP Poll.
Troy is 9-3 on the year and 8-4 against the spread. The Trojans are the four-time defending Sun Belt Champions as Troy went 8-0 in conference play. Troy has failed to cover in two of its last four games.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made Central Michigan 2-point favorites over Troy on Wednesday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 63.
Central Michigan is scoring 33.2 points per-game and racking up 416.9 yards of offense per-game. Quarterback Dan LeFevour has led CMU all season as he has thrown for 3,043 yards and 27 touchdowns. LeFevour has also rushed for 701 yards and 14 scores. Troy’s defense is giving up 28.6 points and 417.9 yards per-game this season.
Troy is scoring 33.1 points per-game thanks to the play of its quarterback, Levi Brown. Brown has thrown for 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. The CMU defense has improved greatly this year as the Chippewas lead the MAC in scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per-game.
This game has some interesting storylines as the Chippewas are dealing with a coaching change as Butch Jones left CMU for Cincinnati prior to the bowl. This game is also being played two hours from Troy’s campus. But, one thing going against Troy is the cold weather hitting the south, as frigid temperatures make conditions more suitable for Central Michigan. The stats seem to indicate that the Central Michigan defense will be the key factor in this game. The CMU defense has been more consistent and appears to be more likely to make stops than Troy’s. With the two offenses comparable in production, we suggest picking Central Michigan minus the two points and the under.
Our GMAC Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: CENTRAL MICHIGAN -2 and UNDER 63.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
TROY is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TROY is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
Troy is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Troy is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Central Michigan is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Central Michigan is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
TROY
[QB] 09/14/2009 - Tanner Jones out for season ( Knee )
[CB] 09/14/2009 - Jorrick Calvin out for season ( Academics )
[DE] 09/14/2009 - KeJuan Phillips out indefinitely ( Academics )
[T] 11/13/2009 - Nic Riley out for season ( Academics )
[S) 12/10/2009 - Courtland Fuller expected to miss vs. Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl ( Knee )
[K] 12/17/2009 - Sam Glusman "?" vs. Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl ( Quad )
C MICHIGAN
[DE] 10/31/2009 - Sam Williams out for season ( Back )
GMAC Bowl Odds
Troy Trojans +2 Over 63 (+110)
Central Michigan Chippewas -2 Under 63 (-130)