Ohio vs Central Michigan Picks and Odds

• The Ohio Bobcats are 1.5-point road favorites over the Central Michigan Chippewas in a Week 10 matchup slated for a Wednesday, Nov. 4
• This is the first game of an abbreviated six-game season for each team as the MAC returns to play
• Find the odds, a breakdown of the matchup, and a pick for the game in the article below

The Central Michigan Chippewas host the Ohio Bobcats in Mount Pleasant, Michigan Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 PM EST.

The Bobcats are 1.5-point road favorites heading into kickoff at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Ohio is coming off a 7-6 season in 2019 that saw Frank Solich’s program finish in a three-way tie for second place in the Mid-American East Division last season. Meanwhile, Central Michigan was 8-6 last season, its first under former Florida head coach Jim McElwain.

The Chippewas won the West Division last year, but were blown out 48-11 by San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl.

Ohio vs Central Michigan Week 10 Odds

Odds taken Nov. 2 at FanDuel

The Chippewas have high expectations for this abbreviated, six-game  slate.

“We are all working toward the same goal,” said junior linebacker Troy Brown. “Just to knock one word out of MAC West champs, which we were last year. It’s to knock the ‘West’ off.” CMU lost the MAC Championship Game to Miami (OH) last year 26-21.

As for the favored Bobcats, who beat Nevada 30-21 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to close out the 2019 slate, question marks remain at quarterback heading into this season.

Nathan Rourke is gone, leaving the door open for either younger brother Kurtis (a redshirt freshman) or Armani Rogers (a UNLV transfer). Rogers is the more proven of the pair, with 18 starts over three seasons with the Rebels. He holds the program record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Ohio may be the 1.5-point favorite over Central Michigan – but should they be? We handicap the MACtion and make a pick.

Who’s Under Center?

We touched on the uncertainty at quarterback for Ohio. Central Michigan has a similar issue.

McElwain and his staff are still awaiting the availability of senior quarterback David Moore. The NCAA banned Moore for a year last October after using a banned substance.

Redshirt freshman Daniel Richardson appears to be the guy heading into the Ohio game, barring a last-minute decision by the NCAA.

The Chippewas might be OK with Richardson, who has earned the praise of his head coach and offensive coordinator Charlie Frye. If Moore can go, it appears he might be a difference maker. If not, it might be a wash under center for both teams due to all the new faces.

Defensive Advantage

That brings us to the defensive side of the ball.

Central Michigan’s unit remains largely intact. The front four brings back Brown, who was one of the conference’s best defenders last year.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats have multiple playmakers back including TE turned DE Austin Conrad. So is linebackerJared Dorsa. Conrad had four sacks last year and Dorsa nearly matched Brown’s production with 80 tackles in 2019. Ohio’s defensive backfield looks solid as well.

Time for the safeties. #OUohyeah

📸 https://t.co/F7vUtibDQ4 pic.twitter.com/ByfYnIPrb5

— Ohio Football 🏈 (@OhioFootball) November 2, 2020

Ohio had the MAC’s No. 3 scoring defense last year and each of the Bobcats’ three conference losses last season were by three points. While the Chippewas return a lot of firepower at the skill positions, Ohio can keep this one competitive.

X-Factors

With quarterbacks an unknown for both teams and the respective defenses looking to be a push, what about everyone else?

Central Michigan brings back receivers Kalil Pimpleton and JaCorey Sullivan, who were both First Team All-MAC last year. Junior running back Kobe Lewis was also a 1,000-yard rusher for the Chippewas last season.

“They do bring back a lot of guys,” Solich told reporters this week. “All their receivers are returning and they’ve got really a great group there so it’s gonna be difficult to really completely hold them. ”

Solich will probably rely on sophomore running back O’Shaan Allison, who ran for 869 yards last year. A ball-control type game plan might be the order of the day for favored Bobcats. Either way, these two teams might be the class of the conference when it’s all said and done.

My prediction for MAC football that I submitted was:

East:
1. Miami (Ohio)
2. Buffalo
3. Ohio
4. Kent State
5. Bowling Green
6. Akron

West:
1. Ball State
2. Central Michigan
3. Toledo
4. Western Michigan
5. Northern Illinois
6. Eastern Michigan

W/ BSU winning the title https://t.co/Y58duTu92f

— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) October 28, 2020

With Ohio being a veteran of close games, I’m tempted to play the favorite in this spot. But the home dog – albeit a slight one – is too tempting to pass up.

The pick: Central Michigan +1.5 (-112)