The Central Michigan Chippewas and Bowling Green Falcons meet Saturday in week 8 MAC college football action from Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Falcons are fresh off a matchup versus Miami-OH. In that one, Bowling Green escaped on a four-point victory. As for the Chippewas, they played Akron over the weekend. Central Michigan won by a touchdown. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Bowling Green began their year with a couple of losses 45-17 to UCLA and 59-57 (OT) to Eastern Kentucky. The Falcons would go 2-2 over their next four, falling to Mississippi State 45-14 and Buffalo 38-7 amid wins over Marshall 34-31 (OT) and Akron 31-28.
In the weekend matchup versus Miami-OH, Bowling Green outscored the RedHawks 10-3 in the second half on the way to a comeback win 17-13. QB Matt McDonald finished with 149 yards and a pick. Jaison Patterson added 18 carries for 94 rush yards as well.
Over on the Central Michigan side, they lost 58-44 to Oklahoma State and 38-24 to South Alabama before their first win 41-0 versus Bucknell. The Chippewas would then fall to Penn State 33-14, Toledo 38-17 and Ball State 17-16.
Matched up against Akron, the Chippewas scored a touchdown in each quarter to power out a 28-21 victory. Quarterback Daniel Richardson led the way on 138 yards and a score. Marion Lukes did most of the offensive work on 26 carries with 160 yards and two touchdowns.
PICK: I’m probably staying with Bowling Green. The Falcons nearly shot themselves in the foot against Miami-OH, giving up two turnovers, committing eight penalties and going just 6-of-15 on third-down tries. Bowling Green was able to hang on for the victory by allowing just 189 total yards in a great defensive effort.
As for Central Michigan, they’re coming off a hard-fought win themselves. The Chippewas out-gained Akron 337-287 and posted 19 first downs, but they’ve also got some work to do this week in practice (nine penalties, 4-of-12 on third downs, etc). Should be a fun matchup, but I’m still leaning Bowling Green.