New Mexico Bowl Prediction
Will the MAC start the bowl season 3-0 today when Central Michigan takes on San Diego State at 2PM ET in the New Mexico Bowl?
Game Snapshot & Odds
New Mexico Bowl
207 Central Michigan vs. 208 San Diego State
Saturday, December 21, 2019
2PM ET – Dreamstyle Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, San Diego State comes into this game as the favorite, getting odds of -3.5 points against Central Michigan. The over/under total is listed at 41 points. The public betting currently has 68 percent going on San Diego State 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.
SDSU with swarming defense
San Diego State is coming off a 13-3 win over BYU in its regular season finale. The Aztecs have had their last four games see neither team score more than 17 points. They went 9-3 this season while posting a 7-5 mark against the spread and an 11-1 record with the under.
The Aztecs have one of the best defensive units in the country. They allowed just 12.8 points and 288.7 yards per game this year, including just 72.3 rushing yards per contest. Luq Barcoo is leading the SDSU defense with 51 tackles and eight interceptions. Offensively, SDSU doesn’t have a lot to offer. It puts up just 19 points and 329.3 yards per game. Ryan Agnew has thrown for 2,175 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the offense, while Juwan Washington is the leading rusher with 500 yards and two scores. However, he is questionable for this game with an ankle injury. Kobe Smith is the team’s top receiver with 57 catches for 673 yards and four scores.
CMU surprises in 2019
Central Michigan has had quite a turnaround, going from 1-11 in 2018 to reaching the MAC Championship in 2019. The Chippewas fell to Miami (Ohio), 26-21, in the conference title game to end a three-game win streak. CMU is 8-5 on the season, 9-4 against the spread and 9-4 with the over.
The Chippewas were a mess offensively last season, but have improved a lot this year. They average 31.9 points and 445.6 yards per game through a balanced attack. Defensively, CMU is giving up 26.8 points and 351.5 yards per game. Quinten Dormady has thrown or 2,148 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the offense while Jonathan Ward has 1,082 rushing yards and 15 scores. Kobe Lewis has added 977 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. Kalil Pimpleton is the leading receiver with 79 catches for 823 yards and six touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
San Diego State
San Diego State is 3-8 against the spread in its last 11 games in December, but 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite.
Central Michigan
The Chippewas are 5-1 against the spread in their last six non-conference games, but just 2-5 ATS int heir last seven against a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
This is a tough draw for Central Michigan. San Diego State was ranked at one point and truly has a dominant defense. The Chippewas really struggled in the MAC Championship when it couldn’t establish the run. I don’t see them being able to establish it in this game either, which will make the one dimensional. While CMU’s defense can be competitive with an average San Diego State offense, the Aztecs are going to win at their own game if they can dictate the style of play.
New Mexico Bowl Prediction: San Diego State -3.5
Related: New Mexico Bowl Total Prediction