Time: Noon EST, Saturday, Sept 15
Spread: PUR -24
Total: 50
M/L: PUR -2100, EMI +1300
Betting Odds from Bookmaker
EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles aren’t off to a good start, needless to say, sitting at 0-2 and having lost their games by an average of two TDs. They won only six games in 2011 and that was the most they had won since 1995.
In 2011, they struggled down the stretch of games and lost several close games. The theme has been similar this year, after giving up 13 fourth quarter points to Ball State.
They don’t have a very soft schedule, either, with two road games against Purdue and Michigan State in September and then they play the best two teams in the MAC West Division on the road in Toledo and Western Michigan. So, while the team may improve, it may not show in their record, and Athlon magazine predicts a 5-7 finish for the Eagles.
Senior QB Alex Gillett has thrown for 331 yards and 4 TDs in two games, but has completed only 26 of his 59 passes, which works out to a very poor percentage of 44%. Gillett also leads the team in rushing with 130 yards on 24 carries. He’s going to have to get some help to have any chance of even covering this spread of 24 set by college football oddsmakers.
PURDUE
Purdue came back to Earth last week against then-No. 22 Purdue, losing by three, after stomping Eastern Kentucky by 42 in week one.
The Boilermakers have more or less settled their QB controversy, going primarily with the projected backup Robert Marve. Marve has thrown for 414 yards on 41 of 56 passing with 4 TDs. His backup, Caleb TerBush, has less than a quarter of that production, despite his clutch 15 yard TD pass to Antavian Edison last week which tied the score with 2:12 left.
On the ground, it has been 5’11” senior Akeem Shavers doing the majority of the work. Shavers rushed for 74 yards against EKU, and 37 against Notre Dame. Last year, the diminutive speedster rushed for 519 yards and six TDs. The Boilermakers will need Shavers to continue to step up to cover the 24 point college football spread.
The Boilermakers reached their first bowl since 2007 last year in 2011, and they have the experience at QB with Marve and TerBush to be a threat to a lot of teams in the Big Ten. Athlon magazine predicts a .500 record for Purdue, with a 3-5 record in the Big Ten.
Last year, they lost their bowl game to Western Michigan by 5 points.
Betting Trends:
Eastern Michigan is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing 200+ yards rushing in the previous game, and they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after accumulating less than 275 yards in previous game. They are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing less than 170 yards passing in the previous game.
Purdue is 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 overall games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 on grass. The Boilermakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 at home and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after scoring less than 20 the previous game. They are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 following an SU loss. Purdue is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in the previous game.
Want to crush the bookies? Make sure to check out our paid pick plans for the 2012 season. Our handicapping team has an excellent track record of lining people’s pockets, so get in on the gravy train!
