The Central Michigan Chippewas and the Ohio Bobcats meet Saturday in college football action from Peden Stadium in Athens. Here’s an Ohio vs Central Michigan prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Ohio vs Central Michigan pick.
Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Preview
The Chippewas were only able to maintain a .500 record over their first four games this year. Central Michigan started with a 38-7 loss to New Mexico, but then bounced back with consecutive wins over Colgate 13-10 and Wyoming 24-10. Game four was another loss in a tough matchup on the road versus Miami. The Chippewas fell in that one 52-3.
In game five versus Akron last weekend, Central Michigan gave up a touchdown in the second quarter but then responded with three of their own. When the dust settled the Chippewas walked away with a nice 41-17 win. QB Angel Flores was 7-of-14 for 78 yards and a touchdown while also leading the rush with 18 carries for 154 yards and another score.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
Over on the Ohio side, they also went a tepid .500 over their first four games. The Bobcats lost to Nebraska in their opener 49-21, but then got a win over Jacksonville State 29-27 after four overtimes. Game three was another loss 41-36 versus South Alabama. In game four versus Stonehill, the Bobcats were able to even up their record with a 35-7 victory.
Matched up against Kent State last weekend the Bobcats managed to find the end zone in the second quarter and went into the locker room with a 10-3 edge. Ohio added a couple field goals along the way for a tense 13-10 win. QB Matt Vezza wasn’t very busy on 4-of-9 for just 38 yards but did get a rush score. Duncan Brune led the running game with 86 yards on 18 carries.
Ohio Bobcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, DJ Hamilton ranks 2nd amongst FBS players for kick return yards (354) this season.
Central Michigan Chippewas Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, Angel Flores ranks 1st in the Mid-American Conference for rushing yards (474) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ohio ranks 128th among FBS teams for passing yards per game this season (157.8).
- Ohio ranks T23rd among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (66.7).
- Central Michigan ranks 138th among FBS teams for passing yards per game this season (84.8).
- Central Michigan has lost the fourth quarter in each of its last three games – equal-longest active streak in the FBS.
Ohio vs Central Michigan Prediction
I’ll stick with Ohio but I’m probably avoiding this one. The Bobcats couldn’t move the ball super well in their three-point win over Kent State last weekend, notching just 15 first downs, 253 yards and 4-of-10 on third-down tries. On defense Ohio held the Flashes to 266 yards, 49 rush yards and 5-of-16 on third downs. The Bobcats have won three of the last four though, with the only blemish being a five-point loss on the road versus South Alabama.
As for CMU, they didn’t have a ton of issues with Akron overall, notching 481 yards, 332 rush yards and 20 first downs in their latest win. The 3-of-9 on third downs wasn’t great but otherwise there’s not a ton to complain about. The Chippewas have fewer than 14 points in three of their five games this year but they’ve still got a winning record.