Central Michigan Chippewas vs Kent State Golden Flashes Point Spread Picks

Central Michigan is 4-2 in the MAC, one game behind Western Michigan for first place. Central Michigan has won five of seven, including a 27-6 win at Bowling Green as an underdog. They have two games remaining to get bowl-eligible. Central Michigan is second in the MAC in rushing (177.9 yards rushing per game) and third in points (25.5 pg), while the defense is second in yards allowed and in points given up (18.4 pg). Kent State has the worst defense in the conference in yards surrendered (449.8 per game) and is second in points given up (34.4 per game). The ground game is one of the worst in the country, averaging 83.6 yards and just 2.6 yards per carry. Play Central Michigan on the moneyline.

It has been a long road in recent years in the MAC Conference for the Kent Golden Flashes. It is a program that has never gotten off the ground, with just two winning seasons since 1990. Since their last winning season in 2012, they have gone just 14-42 SU, and overall they are 92-241-2 SU and 132-165 ATS since joining the FBS. If you went against this team in every game you would be at 55.6% winners. Kent State has lost their QB in Nick Holley for the season, and averages just 11.6 points per game on the season. They appear to have also lost their will as they have been beaten in their last three games by 140-39, included in that mix is a home loss to avery bad Bowling Green team 44-16. Central Michigan is 6-4 and already clinched a spot in a Bowl game. They have also won three straight games, four out of five, and are peaking late in the season. This should be an uncontested win for the road team, so lay the points on Central Michigan.

One way for a team to quickly get overrated is to win a road game as a big dog vs. a power-5 conference team. Central Michigan did just that in their second game of the season when they went to Oklahoma State and sprang the shocking upset as a +17point underdog, 30-27. Their last five games has kind of told the story as they have been 1-4 ATS and have lost by 74 points ATS. Kent State is 2-6 on the season, but have played both Penn State and Alabama. They have faced four conference teams, and while they are just 1-3 in those games, the three losses came by just four points each. The Golden Flashes have out-gained three of their four conference opponents despite the 1-3 record. The record of 2-6 doesn't tell the full story here, nor does the 5-3 mark of Central Michigan who has played well below the line. Play on Kent State.

The Kent State Golden Flashes are home, but have a losing home mark and are 2-4 in MAC play. Kent has won only three games and is coming off a 27-0 loss to Ohio. The Golden Flashes are on a 1-6 ATS run and 13-38-1 ATS after accumulating fewer than 275 total yards in their previous game. They face a Central Michigan team in line for a winning season, one that gave mighty Toledo a good game in a 28-23 loss. The Chippewas found themselves in an early 21-0 hole against Toledo, but managed to draw to 21-17 in the third quarter. The Chippewas are averaging 302 yards passing behind QB Cooper Rush and are a great bounce-back team at 7-0 ATS following a loss. Central Michigan is on a 13-3 ATS run on the road. The Chippewas (4-2 in MAC) can earn bowl game eligibility for a fourth consecutive season with a victory in either of their final two games. The Chippewas are also 2-0 against MAC East teams this season and have won 11 consecutive games against the other side of the conference. And when these rivals clash the favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings. Lay the points on Central Michigan.