Central Michigan at Miami Ohio – Preview and Prediction
C MICHIGAN 4 MIAMI OH (47)
MEGALOCKS LINE – C Michigan -1.5 Sagarin ratings – C Michigan -6
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: C Michigan 25.5 Miami Oh 21.5
Massey Ratings Projected Score: C Michigan 27 Miami Oh 20
The Game
It’s Friday night MACtion rocking the house as the Miami Ohio Redhawks try and keep their slim bowl hopes alive when they host Central Michigan. The Chips are sitting at 5-4 and need another win to become bowl eligible. They could not get into contention for a division title and their #1 goal for the season is toast. The best they can hope for is a bowl invite and go from there. Miami Ohio has really picked up their play and have a three-game winning streak. Win three more and they are probably going to a bowl game. MACtion time !
The Match-Up
Central Michigan offense vs Miami Ohio defense
The Chips have become very one-dimensional due and it is really limited their upside no matter how well QB Cooper Rush manages to play. The Chips are ranked 9th in the MAC in rushing yards per game and things are not going to be easy this week as they face one of the best run defenses in the conference. Miami has been a brick wall vs the run the past two weeks and they should be solid again against an offensive line that is really struggling. MEGALOCKS MAC DEEP INSIDERS note that Chips leading RB Devon Spalding is out this week which makes their thin RB corps even thinner. Rush is going to have to do it all by himself and has made some mistakes (11 INT) when forced to take matters completely into his own hands. Central Michigan will get their yards in the air but Miami has given up yards in the passing game this season (300+ yards L2W) and lived to tell about it. Overall, the Redhawks have the #2 rated defense in the MAC on a yards per play basis.
Miami Ohio offense vs Central Michigan defense
QB Gus Ragland has led the Redhawks to three straight wins and has a 6 TD vs 0 INT ratio in those contests. The running game is starting to come alive with A Smith pounding and K Young and M Thomas hitting the big plays. They have an experienced and deep WR unit that will keep the Chips on their toes. The Chips’ defense has been solid this season (#3 MAC yards per play) and should be able to contain what the Redhawks have to offer. If they can force Ragland to make a couple of mistakes they will be in good shape.
MEGA MORSELS
Miami has won three straight whilst the Chips have lost 4 of 6…..Central Michigan lost their first game against the MAC East last week SINCE 2011….Amaze your dominatrix with that tidbit…The Chips are 11-4 ATS L15 road games but only 2-2 this season….Miami is 10-4 ATS L14 overall.
Summary
It ain’t pretty, but that is the essence of MACtion. We have a number of things going for us. 1. Perceived value vs the line. 2. Motivational edge for Miami. 3. Chips are beat up at RB and have poor OL play. C Austin Doan is out. 4. Momentum edge for Miami.
Sometimes, the more you dig into a MAC game, the more likely you are to be dead wrong. We will take our chances catching 4 tasty points.
Conclusion
Official play: Miami Ohio +4 -106 (play no lower than +3)
Lean: Under 46 or better.