There’s still an outside chance to reach a bowl game for the Chippewas, and in our Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan college football betting prediction, it’s clear how the Chips can ring in the New Year in style. That includes riding a budding star in Bert Emanuel Jr. to victory over the final two games.
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Betting Preview
- Spread
Central Michigan (-11) - Moneyline
Central Michigan (-425); Western Michigan (+340) - Over/Under
49.5 points - Game time
8 p.m. ET - Location
Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI - Predicted weather at kickoff
32 degrees, cloudy, 3-4 mph winds - How to watch
fuboTV, ESPN U
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Bert Emanuel Jr., Central Michigan ($10,500)
- QB Jase Bauer, Central Michigan ($10,500)
- QB Treyson Bourguet, Western Michigan ($8,000)
- QB Daniel Richardson, Central Michigan ($8,000)
- QB Jack Salopek, Western Michigan ($8,000)
- RB Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan ($9,000)
- RB Sean Tyler, Western Michigan ($8,700)
- RB De’Javion Stepney, Central Michigan ($5,500)
- RB Zahir Abdus-Salaam, Western Michigan ($4,800)
- WR Corey Crooms, Western Michigan ($8,800)
- WR Carlos Carriere, Central Michigan ($7,000)
- WR Jalen McGaughy, Central Michigan ($6,000)
- WR Anthony Sambucci, Western Michigan ($5,800)
- WR Jehlani Galloway, Western Michigan ($5,800)
- WR Finn Hogan, Central Michigan ($5,200)
- WR Noah Koenigsknecht, Central Michigan ($5,200)
- TE Bryant Kieft, Central Michigan ($5,300)
- TE Cade Conley, Central Michigan ($5,000)
- TE Blake Bosma, Western Michigan ($4,900)
Emanuel exploded onto the scene just a week ago, rushing for 296 yards and three scores against Buffalo. We all knew there was talent in the true freshman, but his lumbering rushing style and elusive moves make him an incredibly hard ask to bring down and then ultimately track down if he can pick up speed.
Western Michigan’s defense has been a sound unit in terms of stopping the run this season, but getting Emanuel on the turf is a different task. Stash Emanuel in your Superflex and hope for the best from the sensational true freshman.
Also for CMU, it appears Lew Nichols III is ready to return. However, that’s been said since mid-October, and after missing last week’s action, he’s not worth the ticket price for an iffy situation.
Corey Crooms is usually the only play from the WMU side of things, as he leads the Broncos with five receiving touchdowns. Unfortunately, he’s hauled in less than 50% of the targets thrown his way despite averaging nearly 15 yards per catch. Crooms is a big-play threat waiting to happen from the slot, where CMU has done a great job recently at covering.
Stay away from the mess of a quarterback situation from WMU and ride Sean Tyler if you need another running back. Central Michigan has allowed the seventh-most rushing touchdowns in the conference, despite being rather stingy on a per-carry basis, making Tyler TD-dependent if you do decide to roster him.
Prediction for Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan
There is a must-win nature around this matchup for Central Michigan. How they’ll win at this stage of the season is vastly different than how the season looked like it was going to pan out.
With the emergence of Emanuel at quarterback, the receiving options for the Chips that usually dictate the game have been mitigated. The impact of both Carlos Carriere and Jalen McGaughy are now minimal, with Emanuel clearly being a run-first QB.
In this matchup, however, that seems to be an OK move to ride to victory.
WMU’s defense is stout against the pass, allowing the second-fewest passing touchdowns this season. Carriere and McGaughy each have had their moments this season, but the passing game has been inconsistent.
MORE: College Football Bowl Projections 2022
With Emanuel rushing for nearly 300 yards and three scores, the game plan to victory is there for the Chips. That means you can expect a lot of carries for Emanuel with a few series of intermittent play from Daniel Richardson, where the passing game will look to take hold.
Western Michigan will need to play consistently on both sides of the ball to stay in this game, something they haven’t had much success doing this season.
Emanuel is must-watch TV in a must-win game. That’s the makings of yet another breakout performance.
For the third time in as many weeks, CMU will score 30+.
Fire Up Chips.
Prediction: Central Michigan 34, Western Michigan 21
