Scoring has not been an issue for the Central Michigan Chippewas this season, as they’ve recorded 21 or more points in nine of their 10 games and at least 30 on six occasions. But preventing other teams from scoring has been, with the team allowing 23 or more points in all but one contest. Central Michigan (6-4, 4-2 Mid-American) attempts to tighten its defense and keep its offense rolling when it visits the Ball State Cardinals (5-5, 3-3) for a MACtion battle on Wednesday. The Chippewas have been involved in shootouts of late, registering 134 points over their last three contests while surrendering 99 in that span.
Kickoff at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind. is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Chippewas are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Ball State vs. Central Michigan odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 57. Before locking in any Central Michigan vs. Ball State picks or MACtion predictions, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 12 of the 2021 season on a 36-23 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ball State vs. Central Michigan and locked in its MACtion picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the odds and college football betting lines for Central Michigan vs. Ball State:
- Ball State vs. Central Michigan spread: Chippewas -2.5
- Ball State vs. Central Michigan over-under: 57 points
- Ball State vs. Central Michigan money line: Cardinals +115, Chippewas -135
- BSU: The Cardinals are 7-21 against the spread in their last 28 games as home favorites
- CMU: The Chippewas are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 meetings with Ball State
Featured Game | Ball State Cardinals vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
Why Ball State can cover
The Cardinals had difficulty protecting the football early in the season, as they had a minus-5 turnover differential and were outscored 31-0 in points off turnovers over their first four games. But they’ve turned things around with a plus-9 differential and have scored 48 points while allowing only seven over their last six contests. Senior quarterback Drew Plitt has done his part during the reversal, throwing just one interception in his last six outings while tossing 13 of his 15 touchdown passes on the season.
Carson Steele has been a force in Ball State’s ground attack of late, posting three 100-yard performances over his last four contests. The freshman has gained 450 yards on 77 carries in that span after recording 241 on 55 attempts over his first six games. Ball State has tightened up defensively in the second half during conference play, yielding an average of just 10 points in those contests.
Why Central Michigan can cover
Lew Nichols III has been a beast out of the backfield for the Chippewas this season, ranking third in the nation with 1,297 rushing yards and second in all-purpose yards with 1,541. The redshirt freshman has recorded five straight 100-yard performances and is averaging 129.7 on the ground, which is third-best in the country. Nichols has notched eight of his 11 rushing touchdowns this season over his last three contests after registering four in Central Michigan’s 54-30 triumph over Kent State last week.
The Chippewas’ aerial attack also is doing well as the team leads the MAC with an average of 282.9 passing yards per game. Four different players have made at least 35 catches, while junior Dallas Dixon (eight) and senior JaCorey Sullivan (seven) have combined to record 15 of Central Michigan’s 26 receiving touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Daniel Richardson has thrown for 2,011 yards with 19 TDs and only two interceptions this year, with 11 of his scoring passes coming in his last five contests.
How to make Central Michigan vs. Ball State picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting 60 combined points. It also has generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the model’s picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Ball State vs. Central Michigan? And which side of the spread hits nearly 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
