In each team’s first game of the season, the Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Missouri Tigers Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Below, we look at Central Michigan at Missouri odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Central Michigan is starting the season following a 3-3 campaign last year in which it only played Mid-American Conference games. QB Daniel Richardson had an unimpressive 2020, throwing for just 714 yards in five games, accruing a mere four touchdowns as well.
As for Missouri, it is not quite an SEC powerhouse, but it did manage a 5-5 record last season, including 4-2 at home. Missouri’s Class of 2021 has 22 three-star commits. It will be a deep group, an experienced one as well.
Central Michigan at Missouri odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Central Michigan +440 (bet $100 to win $440) | Missouri -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Central Michigan +14.5 (-117) | Missouri -14.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Central Michigan at Missouri odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Missouri 38, Central Michigan 20
Money line
PASS. While Missouri should come out on top, at -650, it’s far too risky. Betting six and a half units to profit just one doesn’t make much sense. Equally as risky is betting Central Michigan at +440.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to MISSOURI -14.5 (-103) as this isn’t a low-tier SEC program. Missouri finished third in the East last season, and it absolutely dominated a few SEC teams along the way.
Mizzou received eight votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, failing to make the cut for the Top 25.
While Central Michigan only had one loss by more than two touchdowns last season, Missouri could easily be the best team the Chippewas will play in the last year and a half. Expect a one-sided performance in this one.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 60.5 (-108) as partial seasons and limited Covid-19 restrictions may be hurting the continuity of offenses. Not a single game before Thursday went for over 60 points despite many high-scoring sides taking the field.
Four of Missouri’s 10 games last season hit 60 points or more. Those were highly competitive SEC matchups. Two of Central Michigan’s six games hit 60 or more points in 2020.
This should be a reasonably easy victory for Missouri, and I would be shocked if either side-notched 40.
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