Missouri vs Central Michigan 9/4/21 College Football Picks, Odds, Predictions

The Central Michigan Chippewas and Missouri Tigers meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Central Michigan is coming off a 3-3 season and enters the third year under coach Jim McElwain. Missouri finished 5-5 last year and enters year two under coach Eli Drinkwitz.

The Central Michigan Chippewas averaged 31.3 points and 420.5 yards per game last season. Central Michigan allowed an average of 30.2 points and 427.7 yards per game last season. Daniel Richardson returns at quarterback after throwing for nearly 800 yards and four touchdowns. Lew Nichols III is back after rushing for 500 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. Kalil Pimpleton and Dallas Dixon is a receiving duo that topped 500 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, George Douglas returns after leading Central Michigan with 45 tackles, Troy Hairston II had 5.5 sacks and Willie Reid had three interceptions. Central Michigan returns majority of its key players from last season and that’s great news for the offense. The issue for Central Michigan here is how much the defense improves. Last season, Central Michigan was 71st in the country in points allowed per game and 82nd in yards allowed per game.

The Missouri Tigers averaged 26.7 points and 402 yards per game last season. Missouri allowed an average of 32.3 points and 408 yards per game last season. Connor Bazelak returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,300 yards and seven touchdowns. Tyler Badie should get more carries after averaging five yards per carry on 48 touches. Keke Chism and Tyler Badie is a receiving duo that produced nearly 800 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Devin Nicholson returns after 82 tackles, Trajan Jeffcoat led Missouri with six sacks and Shawn Robinson had one interception. Missouri has a proven quarterback leading the offense and the defense has an intriguing front seven with above-average pass rushers. Missouri won’t get the love in the SEC East as other teams, but there’s potential here and should build on last years five victories.

The Chippewas are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Tigers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite and 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games overall. The over is 8-1 in Chippewas last 9 games as an underdog. The under is 20-8 in Tigers last 28 games overall.

The Central Michigan Chippewas are good enough offensively to make this game competitive, but we must see improvement on defense. The Missouri Tigers are the far more balanced team in this contest and has the pass rushers that’s going to test Central Michigan. I’m just not sure the Chippewas has the defense to slowdown an explosive Tyler Badie or an emerging quarterback in Bazelak. Missouri is going to be good this season. I’ll lay the two touchdowns with the Tigers at home.