NIU is a four-point home favorite over Central Michigan on Wednesday night in MACtion
Bowling Green is also a four-point pick over Western Michigan in the MAC
A look at the odds and matchup for both games is below with predictions
Two games are on tap for the first Wednesday night MACtion of the season as Central Michigan visits Northern Illinois at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb and Bowling Green hosts Western Michigan at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
Both games kick off at 7 p.m. ET. ESPNU will televise Central Michigan vs NIU and Western Michigan vs Bowling Green will be shown on ESPN.
Central Michigan vs NIU Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan | +145 | +4 (-110) | Over 55.5 (-110) |
| NIU | -182 | -4 (-110) | Under 55.5 (-110) |
Odds as of November 2nd at Barstool Sportsbook. Get the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on MACtion.
NIU is favored by four points and a -182 choice on the moneyline in the college football odds, giving the Huskies an implied win probability of 64.54%.
Both teams are struggling.
Central Michigan Betting Outlook
Central Michigan (2-6/1-3 MAC/1-3 road) has lost four its last five games, including dropping a 34-18 decision to Bowling Green on Oct. 22 at home. The same day, NIU (2-6/1-3 MAC/1-2 home) lost at Ohio 24-17 for its sixth defeat in the last seven games.
Central Michigan has a decision to make at quarterback after redshirt freshman Jase Bauer replaced Daniel Richardson at the start of the second half against Bowling Green.
In his first extensive collegiate action, Bauer was 18-of-25 passing for 181 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 109 yards on 16 carries.
Richardson has completed 56% of his 284 passes this season for 1,734 yards, 13 TDs and four interceptions.
Lew Nichols III is the Chippewas’ top rusher with 454 yards and six scores on 133 carries. Carlos Carrier has 39 receptions for 448 yards.
Central Michigan was plagued by four turnovers against Bowling Green, including three lost fumbles. Richardson and Bauer were sacked a combined six times.
NIU Betting Outlook
Justin Lynch made his first start at QB for NIU against Ohio and completed 9 of 18 passes for 110 yards. The Temple transfer is the brother of former Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012.
Harrison Waylee is third in the conference in rushing with 727 yards and five TDs on 131 carries. However, Antario Brown had a breakout game in Athens as he carried 16 times for 160 yards.
John Richardson kicked three field goals for NIU, which is giving up 33.0 points a game to rank 121st among the 131 FBS teams.
Central Michigan leads the all-time series 31-25-1 but NIU won 39-38 last season on the road, Nichols rushed for 192 yards and two scores and had 234 all-purpose yards in the loss while Richardson passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
While Lynch is still growing into his role as NIU’s QB1, the running back tandem of Waylee and Brown will be tough for Central Michigan to stop.
Pick: NIU -4 (-110)
Western Michigan vs Bowling Green Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | +4 (-110) | +170 | Over 47 (-110) |
| Bowling Green | -4 (-110) | -205 | Under 47 (-110) |
Odds as of November 2nd at Caesars Sportsbook. Claim the Caesars Sportsbook promo code.
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