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Jeff Hochman

Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan
Play: Central Michigan -6

I remember a time when earning a Bowl bid was a reward for having a winning season. These days all you have to do is win half your games and the Bowl committee will come calling.

First of all Sun Belt Bowl teams that have won less than 7 games are miserable in Bowl games if they are playing away from their home state. I mention that in particular because HC Schnellenberger is 5-0 SU career in Bowl games. All but one of those games was played outside the Sunshine state of Florida. FAU didn't play against a great offense either.

Central Michigan went 4-1 in the stats vs. other Bowl teams while FAU went 0-4. In fact FAU is 0-10 SU and 1-9 ATS vs non-conference foes with a .666> win percentage. Central Michigan will be making their 3rd straight appearance in the Motor City Bowl. In 2006, CM defeated M. Tenn. State 31-14 as 9-point chalk. Last year, Central Michigan lost to Purdue 51-48 but covered as 8-point dogs. It really helps that Central Michigan has been to this Bowl game the past two years. Mac Bowl favorites are 22-10 ATS vs. all non-conference opponents.

Central Michigan would like nothing better than a big win in this Bowl game. That would take the sting out of losing to E. Mich 56-52 as 10-point favorites in their last game of the season. Look for Junior QB Dan LeFevour to have a big game before entering the NFL draft next Spring. Central Michigan by 10!

 
Posted : December 25, 2008 10:04 am
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LT Profits

Central Michigan -6.5

The Central Michigan Chippewas have become quite familiar with Ford Field, as they are making their third straight Motor City Bowl appearance when the face the Florida Atlantic Owls Friday night.

The Chippewas won here two years ago, but then suffered a heartbreaking 51-48 defeat vs. Purdue last season. However, we do feel they will erase that bad memory this time around with a handy victory.

CMU has the best quarterback in the MAC and one of the most underrated signal-callers in the country in Dan LeFevour, who completed 66.4 of his passes while throwing for 2530 yards with 19 touchdown passes against just five interceptions. LeFevour is also an excellent runner, and he proved himself with nice games vs. a couple of Big Ten schools this season in Indiana and Purdue.

Florida Atlantic is a nice story under Howard Schnellenberger, but they are not as good as most of the teams that Central Michigan has faced, and their terrible defense that has allowed 29.3 points and a whopping 401.5 total yards per game makes for a nightmarish matchup vs. someone as talented and versatile as LeFevour.

Now the Chippewas have similarly bad numbers defensively, but they faced a much tougher schedule and they should benefit here from those experiences. Look for a huge day for LeFevour as he leads Central Michigan to a double-digit win.

Pick: Central Michigan -6.5

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 7:56 am
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Marc Lawrence

Play On: Chicago Bulls

The Bulls battle the Heat in Miami in a late afternoon tip off at American Airlines Arena knowing they are 5-1 ATS the last six meetings in this series. In addition, the underdog in this series has won the money 6 of the last 7 games. With the Heat just 3-10 ATS as favorites under Erik Spoelstra, including 0-6 ATS when off a win, we'll grab the points with Chicago here today.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 7:57 am
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Dave Cokin

Rockets @ Hornets
Play: Hornets -2'

New Orleans could not have been worse than they were at Orlando on Christmas Day. The Hornets were totally inept in this contest, and were down 30 at the half. Even Chris Paul was way off his feed for this one, and saw his amazing streak of 108 consecutive games with a steal come to a conclusion. Houston is clearly a tough adversary here, but I have to think that off the horrid game against the Magic plus the prior home loss to the Lakers, we'll at least see a focused Hornets effort here. I'll spot the short price with New Orleans.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 7:57 am
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Jimmy The Moose

Carolina Hurricanes at Atlanta Thrashers
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes

Road team has domianted this series of late taking 12 of the last 16 meetings. Atlanta has really struggled this season especially at home dropping 8 of their last 9 in front of the home fans. Canes have dropped both meetings to the Thrashers this year but are playing better winning 3 of thier last 5 overall and 4 of their last 5 in Atlanta. Play on Carolina -.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 7:58 am
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Jeff Benton

We split a pair of freebies on Christmas Day, easily nailing the Magic over the Hornets but misfiring on the Celtics against the Lakers. Still, I’m on a 27-12 run with these free selections, and we’ll look to improve on that streak Friday by backing Toronto as a short road chalk at Sacramento.

I’ve got a pretty strong feeling that we’re a few games away from seeing all line value go out the window with the Raptors. Toronto began the season with high expectations, especially after jumping out to a 3-0 start. But things have gone straight downhill from there, as the Raptors have lost 17 of 25 since then. However, on Monday, they snapped a five-game losing skid (0-4-1 ATS) with a 97-75 rout of the Clippers. Yes, it was just a victory over the Clippers, but it’s the way in which Toronto won that was pretty impressive. It rolled to an 18-point halftime lead, saw the Clippers climb within six points late in the third quarter, then turned on the jets again and won going away.

Those kinds of games can jump-start NBA teams, especially those with playoff-caliber talent on their roster, which the Raptors have. Tonight, after a nice three-day break on the West Coast, Toronto faces the Kings, who are 7-22 on the season and coming off an 0-4 road trip that saw them lose to the Blazers, Rockets, Hornets and Spurs by margins of 32, 11, 9 and 16 points. Sacramento has also lost six of its last seven overall, 14 of its last 16 and 17 of its last 20. During this 20-game slide, the Kings are 2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS at home.

Sacramento is playing no defense whatsoever, allowing 99 points or more in 13 consecutive games, and it clearly misses the leadership and physical skills of point guard Kevin Martin. Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last seven meetings with the Kings, and Sacramento is only 1-5 ATS as an underdog of less than six points and 0-7 ATS in its last seven games against the Eastern Conference. Look for the Raptors to continue turning the corner with a convincing win here.

4♦ TORONTO RAPTORS

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:01 am
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Matt Rivers

For Friday take the points with the 76ers.

I fully understand how underachieving these 76ers have been this season. It has already cost Mo Cheeks his job and despite all of the talent and the addition of Elton Brand nothing has gone right thus far this season. And now with Brand hurt things do not really seem like there is even much of a chance to improve.

The Nuggets have been very good ever since the Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson and at home in the Mile High City, thanks in part to the altitude, are always no joke. But with Carmelo Anthony out once again I can see Philly compete tonight and be in this thing for the duration. It's not like the 6ers are not a talented team. Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert along with some others have game.

Denver could have a little bit of a letdown after the recent home and home with Portland. Those games were for first place so the team rose up and played well in the split without their scorer in 'Melo. Now though I can see missing Anthony being more of a factor.

Denver probably wins this game but to get a half a dozen plus or so with Philly is good enough for me!

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:01 am
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SportsInsights

Florida Atlantic vs Central Michigan

Florida Atlantic started out the season 1-5, but a huge turnaround saw the Owls win five of its final six to become bowl eligible. FAU finished the regular season with a 57-50 overtime win over Florida International to cap off the season turnaround. Wide receiver Cortez Gent caught three touchdowns in the victory from quarterback Rusty Smith. Senior tailback Charles Pierre is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and needs 63 yards to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the season. FAU's defense has been up-and-down this season, and they will need to contain Central Michigan's dual-threat quarterback Dan LeFevour.

Central Michigan was invited to a bowl game for the third-consecutive season, despite allowing more points on the season than they scored. The Chippewas are averaging 30.2 points per game on offense, but they are giving up 30.8 points per game. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is the team's leading rusher with 536 yards on the season. CMU's defense suffered down the stretch, and finished the season allowing 56 points to Eastern Michigan. They made just eight interceptions and forced only 7 fumbles on the season.

Central Michigan opened as a 6.5-point favorite at Pinnacle for the Motor City Bowl. The 8-4 Chippewas are receiving the majority of public support with 77% of spread bets and 89% of parlay bets. Despite those percentages, the line has fallen to Central Michigan -6 across the marketplace. That combination has triggered a series of Betting System plays on the Owls, including a pair of Steam Moves at CRIS (59-46, +7.6) and ABC (75-60, +8). We'll follow the positive steam, and take Florida Atlantic with the points.

Florida Atlantic +6

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:12 am
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Nelly’s Green Sheet

Central Michigan (-7) Florida Atlantic (62½)

The Chippewas were unable to defend the MAC title and the final two games of the season were ugly losses for Central Michigan. Central Michigan allowed 424 yards per game and surrendered nearly 31 points per game on the season. Central Michigan can score with a high powered passing offense that averages 292 yards per game but the defense took a huge step back this season. Central Michigan has played in the Motor City Bowl each of the past two seasons, losing to Purdue last season and beating the Sun Belt’s Middle Tennessee State two years ago. Florida Atlantic received its second consecutive bowl bid despite falling short of expectations this season through a tough schedule. The Owls won the New Orleans Bowl last season and Coach Schnellenberger has never lost a bowl game in his career. Statistically the Owls have been a little stronger defensively but not quite as productive on offense compared with Central Michigan. After a 1-5 start to the season where Florida Atlantic played four road games in five weeks the Owls closed the year winning five of six and the offense put up huge numbers late in the season. FAU is playing better ball heading into this game and the location edge should not be a huge advantage for Central Michigan even though the Chippewas have experience at Ford Field. FAU is a veteran team that has proven itself in big spots before. FLORIDA ATLANTIC 38-31

RATING 2: FLORIDA ATLANTIC (+7)

RATING 2: ‘OVER 62½’

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:14 am
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THE SPORTS MEMO

Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan -6.5 O/U 62.5
Recommendation: Central Michigan

Central Michigan will make the short trip to Detroit for the third consecutive year to play in the Motor City Bowl. If recent history proves correct, the Chippewas will have plenty of success. CMU has played four games at Ford Field the past three seasons resulting in a perfect 4-0 spread record. This is a team that has been a consistent offensive juggernaut averaging at least 30 ppg in each of the past three seasons. Obviously scoring has not been an issue for CMU since Dan Lefevour took over play calling duties three seasons ago. Often referred to as the poor man’s Tim Tebow, the former MAC Player of the Year has done it again with his legs and his arm. Although he missed time with injuries, LeFevour posted a MAC best 309 yards per game of total offense yardage. On the season in impressive fashion he ran for over 550 yards, threw for over 2,500 yards and combined for 25 touchdowns.. At his disposal are two absolute matchup nightmares for the Owls secondary. First is the 6-5, 205-pound Bryan Anderson with 2,800 career receiving yards and 21 touchdown receptions. The second is speedy Antonio Brown who is cut from the same cloth as former MAC game changer Dante Love or the NFL’s Steve Smith. Where CMU was efficient offensively, FAU was sloppy. Despite returning every significant starter from a breakout campaign in 2007 the Owls offense early on resembled a high school junior varsity squad. Rusty Smith was erratic at best, the receivers dropped a ton of passes, the running game was nearly non-existent and the offensive line gave away far too many sacks. While the protection would eventually get better and the touchdown count began improving at the end of the year, the Owls reserved their best performances for their weakest opponents. Additionally they hardly looked comfortable on the road. These are not generally the traits of a team worthy of support in a hostile environment. The turnover problem remained a major issue throughout the season allowing lesser foes to stay in games and better teams to pull away. The Owls finished second to last in turnover margin in the Sun Belt with a whopping 28 giveaways. In comparison, the Chippewas gave it away just 11 times this season. Neither team passes the grade defensively as they both allow about 30 points per game so we start to look for our advantages elsewhere. The two biggest advantages have already been discussed and both belong to Central Michigan. First is their de facto home field edge here in Michigan in a venue with which they are comfortable. The second is the very real prospect of getting extra possessions in part to sloppy play and turnovers from FAU. In a back and forth game, those extra possessions will prove the difference as CMU covers the number.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:15 am
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MARC LAWERENCE PLAYBOOK

C MICHIGAN over Fla Atlantic by 8

If Barack Obama hasn’t fi nished selecting his Cabinet by now he may
want to consider FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger for some sort
of diplomatic appointment. After all, Howie just negotiated one of the
postseason’s biggest sales jobs by talking his way into a Bowl game with
an underachieving 6-6 squad. His Owls have been a disappointment in ‘08:
despite a schedule with just 4 home games last year, FAU went 8-5 with
a Bowl win and fi elded the SBC Player of the Year in QB Rusty Smith. But
Smith and a slew of returning starters were almost non-competitive in a
stumbling 4-4 start this season and they fi nished with just one quality win,
a 40-29 home whipping of UL-Lafeyette. Equally important, if you’ve been
watching the Weather Channel this week, you know about 80% of the
continental United States map appears in varying shades of blue – meaning
it is well-digger cold outside and the possibility of snow, sleet, freezing rain
and God knows what else is downright serious. Chances are, though, it’s
around 65 or 70 degrees right now in Boca Raton, thus begging the question
– would anyone actually consider driving or fl ying to frigid Detroit to cheer
on the Owls? Or will the majority of the crowd at Ford Field be roaring
in favor of a Chippewas team making its 3rd straight trip to THIS BOWL?
Hey, with the Michigan Wolverines failing to make postseason play for the
fi rst time in eons and the auto industry heading down the porcelain chute,
Michiganders might gather here in a desperate attempt to make something
GOOD happen for residents of the state. The Owls have apparently gotten a
few too many “well, we’d love to come but…” responses from prospective
ticket buyers because they’re cutting expenses for the game. They’re taking
only the road squad (leaving 36 players at home), staying 3 nights instead
of 4 and may leave the band and cheerleaders home if fans keep declining.
However, regardless of who ends up in the stands tonight, they’ll get to see
two QBs that will likely be playing soon in the NFL, CMU’s Dan LeFevour
and FAU’s Rusty Smith (LeFevour is the only player besides Vince Young in
Division I FBS history to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000
yards in a single season). Considering the Owls’ weak 1-8 SU and 2-6-1 ATS
mark against Bowlers over the past 2 years and the fact that the Chips
outscored FAU by 20 PPG versus bowl competitors this season, we must side
with the MAC reps here. Still, the Owls are a 17 Returning Starter Bowl Dog
of 4 or more points and these teams are 13-6-2 ATS since 1990. We’d also be
foolish not to respect Schnellenberger’s 5-0 SU career record in Bowl games.
With the line hovering around CMU by 7 at the moment, we’re going to
offer just the slightest of leans to the homeboys from Mount Pleasant. THIS
JUST IN: FAU has suspended 4 starters for this game. Apparently the books
just got a bit too heavy.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:16 am
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NORTHCOAST POWER SWEEP

This is FAU’s 2nd bowl in as many yrs as they just started playing IA ball in ‘04 becoming the
fastest start-up program to earn a bowl berth. HC Schnellenberger took over the program in ‘01 when
they didn’t have a football team. He is 5-0 SU & ATS in bowls, including LY’s 44-27 win over Memphis
in the New Orleans Bowl. He also won a Nat’l Title w/Miami in ‘83. FAU played 6 bowl-caliber tms
going 1-5 SU & 1-4-1 ATS being outgained 428-323 & outscored 32-14. CM is appearing in their 3rd
straight Motor City Bowl, but not as the MAC Champ for the 1st time. As the MAC Titles are held at
Ford Field, this will be CM’s 5th gm here in the L/3Y. CM should have a big fan edge as they have a
short 2.5 hr drive & have played before over an avg of 57,000 the L/2Y including over 54,000 the last
time they played a SBC member. In those 4 previous gms, CM is 3-1 SU & 4-0 ATS. Their only loss
came vs Purdue, 51-48 (+7’) in LY’s bowl, which was HC Jones 1st bowl game. In the ‘06 bowl they
defeated SBC member MT, 31-14 (-8). CM played 5 bowl caliber teams going 3-2 SU & 2-3 ATS &
despite a 56-17 loss to UGA, they were only outscored by an avg 34-28 & outgained 437-418. These
2 teams have never met & did not face any common opp’s TY. FAU has 10 seniors among their 17
upperclassman starters compared to CM which has 9 among their 18 upperclassman.
FAU came into the ssn with 18 returning starters but lost 2 prior to the opener (TE Harmon-inj & DT
Mertilus-acad) before losing RT Rizzo after 8 gms (torn ACL). They started off the ssn 1-5 before winning 5
of their L/6 avg 35.6 ppg. They are led by QB Smith (6’5” 212) who was a 2x SBC POW TY (2 of L/3 gms).
Smith struggled in 1st 4 gms due to inj but improved over L/8 avg 256 ypg (57%) with an 18-9 ratio while going
5-3 to become bowl-elig. FAU had 4 players with 25+ catches with 2 of them being TE’s Grant & Housler.
The Owls’ run gm improved from LY’s 3.5 ypc to 4.5. RB Pierre led the team & had four 100+ yds
gms. The OL avg 6’2” 280 with 2 Sr starters. They all’d 12 sks (2.9%) & opened holes for 141 ypg
(4.5). They finished with our #71 off. The D, which had just 12 sks (#112 NCAA) all’d 183 rush ypg
(4.4) to rank #98 in the NCAA. The LB’s are led by Joseph who is #2 tklr in the NCAA & FAU went
from having 19 int LY to 12 TY with CB Small leading with four. The Owls rank #95 in our pass eff
D (219 ypg, 63%, 21-12 ratio) & overall have our #94 ranked D all’g 29 ppg & 402 ypg. FAU is #111
(last in SBC) in net punting (31.7). They avg 19.8 on KR but give up 17.6. On PR, FAU avg 8.3 &
allows 5.9 and they finished a dismal #108 in our rankings. CM ended the reg ssn with 2 straight
conf losses & missed what would have been their 3rd straight MAC Champ gm after dominating
the conf the previous 2 yrs (15-2 in MAC play). CM has our #33 off & is avg 30 ppg & 427 ypg.
The offense is led by QB LeFevour (2nd Tm MAC) who led the MAC in ttl off (307 ypg) & is CM’s
top rusher (#10 MAC). CM’s receiving corps is led by two 1st Tm MAC WR’s in Brown
(#5 MAC rec ypg) and Anderson (#4). The OL avg 6’4” 293 & is led by Sr’s LT Hartline
(1st Tm MAC) & RT Wojt (2nd Tm MAC). They have paved the way for 3.6 ypc but have
all’d 29 sks (6.6%) despite having a mobile QB. CM has our #106 D & is all’g 31 ppg & 424 ypg but
led the MAC in rush D (139 ypg). The DL is led by 1st Tm MAC DE Zombo, who led the MAC in tfl
& was #2 in sks & 3rd Tm MAC DT Murnane. The DL avg 6’3” 256 & accounted for 28 of their conf
leading 31 sks but did allow 4.2 ypc. The LB corps is led by 1st Tm MAC MLB Bellore, who was the
MAC’s leading tklr. Their secondary (#107) was the weak spot allowing 286 ypg (64%) & a poor 23-8
ratio. The Sp Tms are led by 2nd Tm MAC K Aguila & MAC ST’s POY Brown, who led the nation with
a 20.7 PR avg. They did allow 22.0 ypr on KR & 12.3 ypr on PR’s.CM had a disappointing finish to the
year as they were 8-2 when they faced off against Ball St for the MAC Title. After that loss they
also dropped a shoot out to EM. FAU finished their season winning 5 of 6 but needed a 14 pt
comeback to beat FIU in OT & become bowl elig. Even on Selection Sunday they were unsure if
they would get a bowl bid. Rusty Smith struggled early with an inj but his offensive production
improved as the Owls avg’d 39 ppg the L/4. Both offenses & defenses are very close so we’ll take
the pts & the Future Hall of Fame Coach who has a Nat’l Champ under his belt.
FORECAST: FLORIDA ATLANTIC BY 1

RATING: 2* FAU

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:17 am
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THE GOLD SHEET

FLORIDA ATLANTIC (6-6) vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-4)

*CENTRAL MICHIGAN 37 - Florida Atlantic 35—Central Michigan is visiting
the Motor City Bowl for the third straight season, and this will be the Chippewas’
5th game at Ford Field in just over 25 months (they covered in 2 MAC
championships and 2 bowl games). Losses in the last 2 games this season (to
Ball St. & E. Mich.) cost the Chips a third straight trip to the MAC title game.
While we definitely respect CMU attack, led by QB Dan LeFevour (11th in the
nation in total offense), the Chippewas have flaws on defense. CMU yielded 38
ppg in its last 4, and the Chip stop unit ranks 118th against the pass and 104th
overall. Part of the reason the pass defense gives up so many yards is the lack
of a solid pass rush; CMU ranks 98th in sacks this season.
Howard Schnellenberger’s Florida Atlantic side had bowl success last season,
ripping Memphis 44-27 in the New Orleans Bowl. This season’s edition had
a choppy start, but QB Rusty Smith had a turnaround at midseason that
propelled the Owls to a 5-1 second half. Smith threw 9 ints. and just 5 TD passes
in FAU’s 1-5 start, but the lights went on and he tossed 18 TDPs and just 5 ints.
in the second half of the season (5-1 SU). The Owls protect Smith well, ranking
8th in sacks allowed, thanks to a veteran OL and a fairly solid ground game led
by Charles Pierre (103 ypg rushing in last 6 games). Defensively, FAU, while
not statistically impressive, possesses four first-team all-Sun Belt players.
Smith should trade scores with LeFevour and keep it close all night. Looks
like a high-scoring affair, with two high-quality QBs against permissive
defenses.

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:18 am
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Logical Approach

Central Michigan should enjoy a huge crowd advantage with the short 2 ½ hour drive to Detroit while very few FAU followers are expected to make the trip. Both teams have plenty of offense and have enjoyed excellent play from the QB position. Although both teams play in minor conferences both were tested against BCS teams this season, though neither had much success. FAU lost at Texas, Michigan State and Minnesota (all Bowl teams) by a combined 106-13 score. CMU lost at Georgia and Purdue by a combined 88-42. Other than being held to just 17 points in the Georgia loss, CMU scored at least 24 points in all other games, topping 30 points in 6 games. In their 9 games against non-BCS teams FAU scored 40 points or more 4 times but was also held to 24 or less 4 times. CMU was excellent at protecting the football, losing just 11 turnovers all season, # 3 in the nation. FAU turned it over 28 times. CMU has a slight edge on offense while FAU has an almost similar slight edge on defense. CMU has the better rush defense with their weakness against the pass, an area in which FAU ranks highly. This is FAU's eighth season as a football program and they are making a second straight Bowl trip, having defeated Memphis 44-27 in last season's New Orleans Bowl. CMU is in a third straight Bowl after splitting the past two seasons, losing to Purdue last season after defeating Middle Tennessee (from FAU's Sun Belt conference). The line seems fair as CMU has faced tougher foes and enjoys a huge site edge. They've played several games in this building over the past few seasons. This is not one of the stronger plays of the Bowl season but the call is for Central Michigan to win 44-30, making

CENTRAL MICHIGAN a 2 Star Selection

OVER a 2 Star Selection

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:19 am
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Pointwise

AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Cent Mich ... 39.9 .. 30-31 .. 23-22 .. 134-139 .. 293-286.. + 4 . Cent Mich
Fla Atlantic . 36.1 .. 25-29 .. 20-22 .. 141-183 .. 251-219.. - 9 . by 7.2 Pts

Defense! Defense! Surely, that's not the byword, as far as either of these two
teams are concerned. Check the score of the final game for each squad: a
57-50 win for the Owls of Florida Atlantic, and a 56-52 loss for the Chippewas
of Central Michigan. The Owls needed it for a "bowl eligible" 6-6 record, after
opening at 1-5, following '07's campaign, in which they finished at 8-5, with a
44-27 thrashing of Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl (20½ pt cover). The
Chips, on the other hand, were safely ensconced in a bowl slot, before losing
to 3-8 EasternMich, to wind up a disappointing season. We say disappointing,
as they had won the MAC in '06 & '07, with resounding 31-10 & 35-10 rompers
in their conference title games (24½ & 22 pt covers). Led by Dan LeFevour,
who has been a brilliant manager, throwing for 8,760 yds & 67 TDs the past 3
years, the Chippewas have posted a 26-14 mark in '06, '07, & '08. But their
bane is a "D" which ranks 105th, overall, allowing 38 ppg in their last 4 outings.
As noted above, the Owls needed a spectacular finish to get to this point. A
check above shows the overwhelming edge to Central, in the all-important TO
category, as FAU turned the ball over at least twice in 9 of its 12 games, & at
least 3 times in 5 games. Pure suicide here, if they are to continue that trend.
But like the Chips, FlaAtlantic is led by a proven QB in the person of Rusty
Smith, who finished the year with 2,918 PYs & 22 TDs, including 389 PYs & 5
TDs in his last game vs FlaInternational. We would love to grab the TD & the
Owls, but a year ago, FAU led the nation in TO ratio (+19), & that stat just can't
be overemphasized. Fifth game on this field for Chips in last 3 years. Grab it.

PROPHECY: CENTRAL MICHIGAN 48 - Florida Atlantic 37 RATING: 5

 
Posted : December 26, 2008 8:20 am
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