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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nKey Matchups and Handicap: Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
This Wednesday night matchup is being played at a neutral site, Ford Field, rather than on campus in Ypsilanti. That removes any true home edge and places two offensively challenged teams in an unfamiliar, sterile environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Stylistically, these teams line up as a classic case of strength meeting strength and weakness meeting weakness, which points to a game where both sides check each other for much of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Central Michigan Skidding at 1-3 in the MAC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Central Michigan sits closer to the bottom of the conference at 1-3 in MAC play. After opening league action with a win over Akron, the Chippewas have dropped three straight, falling to Ohio, Western Michigan, and Miami (OH). Ohio and Western Michigan are two of the best teams in the conference, but the Miami loss on Saturday the 24th stung. Central Michigan held a 27-21 lead, gave up a touchdown with 1:41 remaining, and could not get into position to attempt a game-winning field goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
CMU Offense Among the Worst in FBS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
There is very little to hang a hat on offensively. Central Michigan ranks 133rd in FBS in total offense, 134th in passing, and 134th in scoring at just 17.9 points per game. The offense has a little bit of a run game, and that is about it. Even in its losses to strong teams, the defense kept things manageable early, allowing 14 first-half points to both Western Michigan and Miami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Chippewas Run Game Runs Into a Wall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The one thing the Chippewas do reasonably well on offense is run the ball, and the one thing Eastern Michigan does well defensively is stop the run. That matchup takes away Central Michigan's only real path to sustained drives and puts even more pressure on a passing attack that ranks near the bottom of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Eastern Michigan Passing Attack vs a Top-25 Pass Defense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Eastern Michigan sits closer to the top of the MAC standings, but its offense is not much better, ranking 126th in the country. The rushing attack is 130th nationally, so the Eagles lean on the passing game. The problem is that Central Michigan's defense is built to stop the pass, ranking 25th in the country in that area, even though it struggles against the run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Eastern Michigan's defense has also been solid early in games, allowing just 10 first-half points to Ohio last week. The exception was a 31-point first half allowed to Toledo, which owns one of the best offenses in the country statistically and the best in the conference, a far cry from what Central Michigan brings to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
CMU vs EMU Betting Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nCMU vs EMU Key Injuries and Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nCentral Michigan vs Eastern Michigan ATS and Total Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Total Pick: Under 44.5 (-112).<\/strong> This is the strongest angle on the board. Both defenses are better than the offenses they are facing, and each team's lone offensive strength runs straight into the other's defensive strength. The neutral-site setting, unfamiliar surroundings, and lack of a home crowd further point toward lower scoring. A contrarian over is not a viable play here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nFirst Half Total: Under 22.5.<\/strong> Getting to 22 or more points in the first half would essentially require three combined touchdowns, and neither offense is built for that. Both defenses have kept capable opponents in check early, and Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan are not facing offenses anywhere near as good as the ones that have scored on them. A 21.5 is also playable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nMoneyline Pick: Eastern Michigan.<\/strong> The spread feels like a coin flip at 1.5, but Eastern Michigan sits higher in the conference standings and Central Michigan has lost three straight. In a low-scoring grind, the Eagles' passing game has a slight edge to make the deciding play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nCentral Michigan vs Eastern Michigan Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nFinal Score Prediction for Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expect a low-scoring, field-position battle in Detroit, with neither offense able to impose its will. Eastern Michigan should do just enough through the air to edge a Chippewas team that has struggled to finish games, while both the full-game and first-half totals stay comfortably under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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