Western Michigan Broncos at Central Michigan Chippewas, Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Friday, November 5, 2010, 6:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Central Michigan -3 1/2
Current Line: Central Michigan -3 1/2
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 51 1/2
Money Line: CMU -170 / WMU +150
These two long time rivals are meeting for the 80th time. Western Michigan is 3-5 under coach Bill Cubit and Central Michigan is 2-7 under coach Dan Enos. Though the disappointing records don’t really matter for the winner as long as you beat your arch-rival. Western Michigan still has an outside shot at a bowl bid if they run the table. The Broncos are 1-6 straight up in their last 7 trips to Mt. Pleasant, and the Chips are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games against the Broncos.
Western Michigan is averaging 30 points a game and 390 yards a game, including just under 300 yards a game in the air. Quarterback Alex Carder is throwing for 287 yards a game with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also has 6 rushing touchdowns. Carder is the team’s second leading rusher with 81 carries for 153 yards. Carder’s top two receivers are Jordan White (64 catches, 938 yards, and 6 touchdown catches) and Juan Nunez (56 catches, 635 yards, and 6 touchdowns.) The Broncos don’t run the ball much with their prolific passing game, but besides Carder, Aaron Winchester is the leading rusher with 77 carries for 220 yards but he has no touchdowns. The Broncos have 20 turnovers for the season and have allowed 24 sacks. Defensively, the Broncos give up 27 points a game and 370 yards a game including 169 on the ground. They have forced 20 turnovers and 17 sacks for the season.
Central Michigan started off the season 2-1 but has lost 6 games in a row since then. The Chippewas are only giving up 23 points a game and 356 yards a game. They have forced 18 turnovers and also have 13 turnovers. The problem is on offense as they only score 22 points a game and gain 380 yards a game. The Chips have turned the ball over 24 times and they have allowed 28 sacks. Quarterback Ryan Radcliffe has struggled this season, his first as a starter, but has shown flashes of brilliance. He is throwing for 260 yards a game with 12 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. Eight Chippewas have at least 10 catches, but Cody Wilson, Kito Poblah, and Jerry Harris get most of the targets. all have at least 3 touchdown catches. CMU only rushes for 114 yards a game but Paris Cotton has 129 yards for 625 yards and 6 touchdowns. Back-up Carl Volny has three touchdowns on 49 carries. The Chippewas do struggle in the kicking game as they are only 6/15 on field goal attempts and 21/24 on PAT’s. The Chippewas have employed 3 different kickers this season but David Harman is the kicker again after being benched for a couple of games. He is 5 out of 7 on field goals and 13 out of 16 on PAT’s.
It will be very cold with game time temps in the 20’s with a 30 percent chance of snow. These two teams are pretty evenly matched and it might come down to a field goal. Central Michigan’s kicking woes might come into play. Though they are disappointed in their records, both teams can turn their seasons around with a win.
Maddux Sports has nailed their first 2 college football picks of the week for members on Rutgers +10.5 and the Over in the Buffalo/Ohio game last night. We have another play on this game tonight and it figures to be another right side winner. Visit the winning college football picks page to hop on board with the best football handicappers on the Internet today.
