Central Michigan battered Eastern Michigan on the ground last Wednesday, with running back Nick Woodford hammering out 123 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. With quarterback Jadyn Glasser completing 14 of 19 passes for 175 yards, the Chippewas rushed for 235 yards and hogged the ball for 40:56 in a 35–7 win. Woodford was terrific, and CMU gave Eastern Michigan precious little chance to answer. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Sacramento State Hornets.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Central Michigan vs. Sacramento State prediction, preview
The Chippewas also converted all five fourth-down attempts, repeatedly extending possessions that Eastern Michigan had a chance to end. CMU can sustain drives without reproducing that perfect night; I expect more of those possessions to stall this time. Through nine games, the Chippewas have reached the red zone just 18 times. They have spent much of this season fighting to get inside the opposing 20.
Sacramento State has far uglier problems to solve up front. Against Toledo, the Hornets scraped together eight net team rushing yards, including sack losses, and converted a miserable four of 15 third downs. Starting quarterback Jackson Sharman left injured at halftime, while kicker Grant Meadors also missed the second half. Their availability remains unresolved, leaving Sacramento State uncertain at two positions that matter enormously when scoring chances are scarce.
Backup quarterback Brian Salazar Jr. did give the Hornets something to build on. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 103 yards and directed a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that cut Toledo’s lead to three. CMU’s defensive absences offer some encouragement, too. The Chippewas will finish the regular season without linebacker Xavier White, among several missing players; quarterback Angel Flores and receiver Langston Lewis are also out. Salazar has shown he can finish a long possession if Sharman cannot return.
Sacramento State vs. Central Michigan pick, best bet
Woodford is the player who could make this under miserable. Sacramento State just surrendered 230 net rushing yards to Toledo, and CMU has already demonstrated how thoroughly it can punish a defense over a long drive. The Chippewas could score 35 again and leave very little room for the Hornets. I’m weighing that danger against CMU’s limited red-zone opportunities across the season and Sacramento State’s struggle to produce first downs.
Glasser has supplied enough passing help for CMU to win comfortably, but laying 17.5 asks their depleted defense to protect a substantial margin against a backup who just delivered a credible relief appearance. I prefer the under. Sacramento State should still spend too much of the night trying to recover from failed runs and sacks, while CMU has rarely reached scoring range often enough to bury an opponent the way they did last week.
Best bet: Under 42.5 (-108)
Projected score: Central Michigan 27, Sacramento State 10.
Best Bet: Central Michigan vs. Sacramento State u42.5 total points scored (-110)
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