The Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) and Northwestern Wildcats (6-6) meet Friday in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA football odds around the Central Michigan vs. Northwestern odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
This is just the second-ever meeting between these teams. Northwestern won 30-25 in a regular-season game at home on Sept. 25, 2010.
Central Michigan lost 21-3 to the Toledo Rockets in the regular-season finale, snapping a 5-game cover streak. The defense was still stout, and the Chips allowed 16.5 points per game (PPG) in the final 6 outings.
For Central Michigan, there are no real notable opt-out players. DL Kade Kostus, who played 103 snaps with a half-sack, has elected to leave the program.
Northwestern lost 20-13 in the snow at the Illinois Fighting Illini in the regular-season finale Nov. 29, pushing at most shops as a 7-point dog as the Under (44.5) cashed. The weather contributed to the Under, as the Over was on a 4-0 run prior to that. The Wildcats finished 4-2-2 against the spread (ATS) in the final 8 games.
Northwestern has no notable opt outs listed. In fact, the Wildcats are expected to get a boost prior to the game, as RBs Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II are expected to play. Komolafe missed the finale at Illinois due to an undisclosed injury, but he still ended up leading the team with 886 rushing yards and 10 TDs, including scores in each of the past 4 games, and 8 of the past 9 outings. He has 10 rushing scores and 1 receiving TD. Himon, who had 486 yards and a TD, averaging 4.9 yards per carry (YPC), was injured in the Illinois game.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
Central Michigan vs. Northwestern odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:24 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Central Michigan +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Northwestern -425 (bet $425 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Central Michigan +10.5 (-110) | Northwestern -10.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Central Michigan vs. Northwestern picks and predictionsPrediction
Northwestern 26, Central Michigan 16
Playing Northwestern (-425) is risky business. You must risk more than 4 times your potential return for a very meager return. A $100 wager will return a profit of just $23.53.
That’s way too much risk for not enough reward, and it would only be OK to include that in a multi-leg parlay of 5 or more sides.
PASS.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN +10.5 (-110) is worth a look catching double digits from Northwestern.
The Chips should have a decent contingent coming down from Mount Pleasant to Detroit, making for a home-game feel. It’s hard to believe the Wildcats will travel nearly as much. And, CMU is 5-1 ATS in the past 6 games, so that’s more reason to like it. The Chips were also 3-1 ATS as an underdog of 21 or fewer points, winning 2 of those games outright.
Meanwhile, Northwestern is just 2-2 ATS this season as a favorite of 14 or fewer points.
UNDER 43.5 (-110) is low for college football these days, but Northwestern’s strength is running the ball. It has a solid one-two punch in the backfield, and running keeps the clock moving.
Central Michigan struggles in the passing game, and its strength is also the run. Look for points to be at a premium in this battle under the roof in The D.
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