MAC Championship Prediction
Can we expect Central Michigan to roll in its home state when the Chippewas take on Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship today at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
105 Miami (Ohio) vs. 106 Central Michigan
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Noon ET – Ford Field
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Central Michigan is favored in this game, as the Chippewas are getting odds of -6.5 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 54.5 points. The public betting currently has 73 percent going on Central Michigan as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
CMU takes the West Division
Central Michigan was just 1-11 last season and now it finds itself playing for a conference title under first-year coach Jim McElwain. The Chippewas have won their last three, including a 49-7 trouncing of Toledo at home last weekend. CMU is 8-4 on the season, 6-2 in the MAC, 9-3 against the spread and 9-3 with the over.
CMU has been pretty steady on both sides of the ball. The defense is allowing just 26.8 points and 358.5 yards per game, while the offense is producing 32.8 points and 455.1 yards per game. The Chips have a strong ground attack, led by Jonathan Ward. He has 1,056 yards and 15 touchdowns while Kobe Lewis has rushed for 953 yards and 11 scores. Quinten Dormady is the starting QB and he has thrown for 1,916 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Kalil Pimpleton is the top receiver with 73 catches for 771 yards and six scores. Sean Adesanya is leading the defense with 30 tackles and seven sacks.
Miami coming off loss, but wins the East
Miami (Ohio) is coming off a 41-27 loss at Ball State last weekend to end a five-game winning streak for the Redhawks. They are 7-5 on the season, 6-2 in the MAC, 6-6 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total.
The Redhawks were one of the worst offenses in the country this year, producing just 24.6 points and 310.3 yards per game. Still, they found ways to win despite the offense averaging just 28.8 points and 382.8 yards per game. Brett Gabbert has thrown for 1,967 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, but is currently questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury. Jaylon Bester is the team’s leading rusher with 623 yards and 11 touchdowns while James Maye is the top receiver with 15 catches for 390 yards and a score.
College Football Betting Trends
Central Michigan
The Chippewas have covered the spread in five straight games as a favorite and in five of their last six MAC games.
Miami (Ohio)
The Redhawks are just 13-4 against the spread in their last 17 conference games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Prediction:
Miami has won the last two against Central Michigan and covered in three straight meetings, but this is a Chippewa team that seems to be ready to write a storybook ending. After going 1-11 last year, CMU has put together an offense to compliment its solid defense. Coach Jim McElwain could be 1-and-done with CMU due to his efforts this year, but completing the season with a MAC title would really raise his stock. Miami certainly is a game team, but the Redhawks will be almost in a road game in Detroit and they have struggled with West Division teams this year. CMU’s defense should be able to dictate the game while the offense breaks through with the ground attack. The Chippewa are playing with a little extra motivation today, as their play-by-play announcer was killed in a car accident just a few days ago. The team is rallying around him and wants to bring the title home. I like CMU to win by double figures.
MAC Championship Prediction: Central Michigan -6.5
Related: MAC Championship Total Prediction