The Central Michigan Chippewas (4-4, 2-2 MAC) and Western Michigan Broncos (5-3, 2-2) tangle in a midweek directional-Michigan affair Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich. Below, we look at the Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Central Michigan is coming off a 39-38 home loss to Northern Illinois (Oct. 23). The one-point loss is part of a trend: the Chippewas have played in four one-score games since Sept. 25. Overall this season, CMU has been solid on offense, especially in the passing game (288.0 yards per game-22nd FBS) and shaky on defense, especially against the pass (270.5 yards allowed per game-113th).
Western Michigan has been more of a middle-of-the-road balanced offense while posting good numbers on defense. WMU has yielded just 320.8 total yards per contest; that ranks 20th in the nation. The Broncos have lost two of their last three after starting the season 4-1.
Central Michigan at Western Michigan odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Central Michigan +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Western Michigan -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Central Michigan +9.5 (-105) | Western Michigan -9.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 67.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Central Michigan at Western Michigan odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Western Michigan 38, Central Michigan 28
Money line
Central coughed up a 35-18 lead in its loss to Northern Illinois. The Chippewas’ ability to move the ball – especially through the air – outshines their scoring (69th FBS) numbers. Red-zone (and inside-40) performances have been lackluster, and CMU has also been a subpar group in converting third downs. (The Chippewas went just 1-for-10 on third downs in last year’s 52-44 setback against the Broncos, Nov. 18).
Western is getting too much of a lean from the public here. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (+300) offers enough return to swim upstream and play for some plus money.
Against the spread
Freshman QB Daniel Richardson and the CMU passing attack have put up consistent 60%, 275-yard performances. In wins and losses, at home and abroad, and against different types of defenses. Figure Central Michigan closing out this one with a single-digit deficit.
BACK THE CHIPPEWAS +9.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Lots of crisscrossing signals on how best to play this one on what is forecasted as a chilly night in Kalamazoo. PASS.
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