Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan Betting Preview
In the eighth game of our Countdown to Kickoff series, Sportsmemo handicapper JM Sports takes a look at Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan on September 3. Each team ended their 2021 season with a bowl win with Central Michigan winning the Sun Bowl and Oklahoma State won the Fiesta Bowl.
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Thursday, September 1 | College Football Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Oklahoma State Cowboys -21 vs Central Michigan Chippewas |
Total: | 58 (Over -110 / Under -110) |
Kickoff: | 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT |
Venue: | Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, OK |
TV: | FS1 |
Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan Analysis
This match-up is more exciting than some people may think, as it features the reigning MAC offensive player of the year Lew Nichols, taking on Mike Gundy’s 12th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.
These two teams have split their only two previous matchups in 2015 & 2016. The road team won both games, but Central Michigan covering both games against the spread.
Oklahoma State may be 5-1 all-time against the MAC, but their lone loss is Central Michigan’s last second TD in their previous meeting in Stillwater.
Nichols and Company Coming For MAC Title
Lew Nichols, the reigning MAC OPOY, is also 1 of just 2 returning players in the MAC that averaged over 100 YPG last season, leading the conference with a 142.2 YPG average.
He also added 16 TD’s and they add Carlos Carriere at WR from Maryland. They add a little Big 10 talent to a struggling WR unit, while their QB, RB and OL unit rank among the best in the MAC.
Central Michigan returns 11 starters, seven on the offensive side and just four on the defense, but their defense was one of the best they have had in recent memory last year.
If they can continue any glimmer of what they did on defense last year, led by Donte Kent, their offense is dangerous enough to make some noise in this conference.
Cowboys Lean on Stout Defense
The difference between these two teams, MAC vs. Big 12. Oklahoma State ended last season 12-2 and finished ranked as the 7th best team in the country.
They open this year ranked 12th in the first AP polls they look to improve on those rankings with 11 returning starters. They had one of the best defenses in the country last season, and while they have just four returning starters on defense, they do return Collin Oliver.
Oliver had the 2nd most TFL’s of all returning players in the conference and he was tied for first with 11.5 sacks. Brock Martin was 4th in the conference of all returning players in sacks, not far behind Oliver with 9 sacks. Securing what is potentially the title of the best defensive line in the Big 12 this season.
Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan Prediction
Spencer Sanders is back at the QB position, taking the honors of 1st team all Big 12 last season. They do lose their leading rusher and receiver, but they still have plenty of talent left in those units. They add 2 offensive lineman transfers and return the best kick returning in the conference.
With Mike Gundy at the helm, Oklahoma State has gone 83-27 @ home, including a perfect 7-0 last season.
The Cowboys are also an impressive 17-1 in non-conference play in the last 5 seasons! I foresee them taking another one to start this season, taking down Central Michigan by a considerable margin.
While Central Michigan may very well compete for the MAC title, this is a different type of beast that they are playing in their opener.
Prediction : Oklahoma State (-21), Despite losing most of their defensive talent, I believe Oklahoma State returns to form on that side of the ball and slows down this CMU offense who lost their top receiver to the NFL draft.
Interested in placing a bet on this Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan Week 1 showdown? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 match bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
Sportsmemo Today | NFL Season Preview
JM Sports joins Dan Neubert and Dr Chuck on Sportsmemo Today to discuss the NFL futures market, and the Week 1 betting lines.
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Meet the Author
Jeff’s hunger for handicapping began at a young age being surrounded by parents that made sports betting a daily routine. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other Cleveland handicappers like Marc Lawrence, Phil Steele, Ralph Michaels, Ed Meyer and Bryan Leonard, Jeff started his sports betting career working for both Northcoast Sports and Phil Steele Publications learning the intricacies of sports betting and becoming a profitable handicapper. Through out his college years, Jeff’s mathematical and analytical prowess helped him develop a betting strategy that turned sports betting into a profitable venture, where he focuses on the NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball and MLB while showing strong results in the WNBA.
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