Sun Bowl: Central Michigan vs Washington State 12/31/21 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Central Michigan Chippewas and Washington State Cougars square off Friday afternoon in the college football Sun Bowl at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. The Washington State Cougars enter this contest winning six of their last eight games. The Central Michigan Chippewas look to build on their four-game winning streak.

The Washington State Cougars have won three of their last four non-home games. Jayden de Laura is completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,751 yards, 23 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Calvin Jackson Jr. and Travell Harris have combined for 1,756 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, while De’Zhaun Stribling has 42 receptions. The Washington State Cougars ground game is averaging 130.3 yards per contest, and Max Borghi leads the way with 880 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, Washington State is allowing 24.3 points and 379.6 yards per game. Jahad Woods leads the Armani Marsh has 3 interceptions.

The Central Michigan Chippewas have won three straight non-home games. Daniel Richardson is completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,424 yards, 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Kalil Pimpleton and Dallas Dixon have combined for 1,625 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while JaCorey Sullivan has 42 receptions. The Central Michigan Chippewas ground game is averaging 181.8 yards per contest, and Lew Nicholls III leads the way with 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensively, Central Michigan is allowing 26.2 points and 394.4 yards per game. Gage Kreski leads the Central Michigan Chippewas with 80 tackles, Troy Hairston II has 6.5 sacks and Devonni Reed has 2 interceptions.

The Cougars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Chippewas are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The under is 5-1 in Cougars last 6 neutral site games. The over is 7-3 in Chippewas last 10 non-conference games.

The Washington State Cougars are getting way too much respect in this game, as they’re a middle of the road PAC-12 team, which isn’t a good conference to begin with. Washington State has lost all of its games against respectable teams this season, and it gets abused in the trenches, as it can’t run the ball or stop the run. The Central Michigan Chippewas are playing their best ball of the season right now, and they have a balanced offense that’s topped 30 points in each of their last five games. Give me the points.