The Central Michigan Chippewas will try to extend their dominance over the Ohio Bobcats when the two teams collide in a MACtion showdown on Wednesday at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. The Chippewas are 27-5-2 all-time against the Bobcats since the series began in 1972. Central Michigan has won each of the last six matchups against Ohio as well as the last four games played in Athens. The Chippewas (5-5 overall, 3-3 in MAC) enter Wednesday's game needing a win over Ohio or Toledo next week in order to become bowl-eligible. Meanwhile the Bobcats (7-3, 4-2) need a victory on Wednesday to keep their slim chances of winning the East Division of the MAC alive.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The Bobcats are 11-point favorites in the latest SportsLine consensus Ohio vs. Central Michigan odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 48.5. Before locking in any Central Michigan vs. Ohio picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio vs. Central Michigan and just locked in its picks and MACtion predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Central Michigan vs. Ohio:
- Ohio vs. Central Michigan spread: Bobcats -11
- Ohio vs. Central Michigan over/under: 48.5 points
- Ohio vs. Central Michigan money line: Bobcats -472, Chippewas +353
- OHIO: The Bobcats rank fifth in the country in scoring defense (15.1 points per game allowed)
- CMU: Marion Lukes is ninth in the nation in all-purpose yards (138.10 per game).
- Ohio vs. Central Michigan: See picks at SportsLine
- Ohio vs. Central Michigan live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Ohio can cover
The Bobcats have a capable quarterback in Kurtis Rourke. Last season's MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Rourke ranks third in the conference in passing efficiency (131.2), passing yards per game (197.4) and total offense (219.2 yards per game) this season. Over his last three games he has completed 63-of-99 passes for 709 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
In addition, Ohio faces a Central Michigan team that has been losing the turnover battle all season. The Chippewas have forced just eight turnovers all year, which ranks 120th in the country. They've also committed 12 turnovers, and their -0.4 turnover margin per game ranks 96th in the FBS. See which team to pick here.
Why Central Michigan can cover
Running back Marion Lukes enters the game on a roll. Over the last two weeks against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound Lukes has rushed for 349 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a robust 8.3 yards per carry. He also added another 137 yards on eight kickoff returns across those two games.
In addition, the Chippewas face an Ohio offense that has struggled recently. After averaging 24.5 points per game over their first six games, the Bobcats have averaged just 17.3 points a game in their last four contests. Their 17.3 average over that time ranks 112th in the country. See which team to pick here.
How to make Ohio vs. Central Michigan picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over the point total, predicting a combined 50 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model's CFB picks only at SportsLine.
So who wins Central Michigan vs. Ohio, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Ohio vs. Central Michigan spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
