MAC Championship Total Pick
Should you expect many points in the MAC Championship on Saturday at Noon ET when Central Michigan collides with Miami (Ohio)?
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 -7 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 54 points. The public betting currently has 75 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.
Miami coming off loss
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.
CMU with big turnaround
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Miami (Ohio)
The Redhawks are 5-1 with the under in their last six games on a neutral site and 4-1 with the under in their last five conference games.
Central Michigan
The Chippewas have hit the over in 11 of their last 13 games following a win and in five of their last six conference games.
Prediction:
These two haven’t met since early in 2017 and they have hit the under in five of their last six encounters. The Chippewas definitely appear to be the better team on paper and I think Miami is going to struggle to find offense in this game. This is somewhat of a road game, as Central Michigan should have a pretty strong fan base in Detroit. The CMU defense has really been the strong point over the years, but the development of the offense this year has led them to a division title. I don’t think they will be able to run all over Miami, but I think the CMU defense will dictate most of this game.
MAC Championship Prediction: Miami/Central Michigan Under 54