bought by meOhio at Central Michigan Dec 4 2009 8:00PM
PICK:OhioYour pick will be graded at: 13.5 BelmontEXPERT: Ben Burns TITLE: **10** Mac-Championship 2009 Birthday BASH! REASON FOR PICK: I'm taking the points with OHIO. I won with Buffalo in last year's Mac Championship game. Not many were giving the Bulls much of a chance, as they were underdogs of greater than two touchdowns. Yet, they went on to record a convincing 42-14 outright victory, thanks in large part to having capitalized on turnovers. With the line having climbed from its opener, I feel that the underdog is also providing us with excellent value in this year's game.
Like Ball State last year, there is no denying that Central Michigan is talented. The Cardinals entered last year's game with a perfect 12-0 record. This year, the Chippewas come in with a 10-2 overall record and an 8-0 mark in the MAC. That's impressive. However, Ohio isn't far behind. Indeed, the Bobcats have quietly gone 7-1 in MAC play and 9-3 overall. After winning three straight close ones, the Bobcats pounded Temple by a score of 35-17 last week. Considering that the Owls had won nine straight and that they'd won their previous two games by a combined score of 103-30, dismantling them in such easy fashion was quite an accomplishment.
While the Central Michigan offense is admittedly potent, the Ohio offense has been getting stronger and stronger as the year progresses. The Bobcats have scored 75 combined points the past two weeks and have now scored 27 or more in three straight games. Defensively, the Bobcats are holding opponents to just 21.3 points per game. They're also allowing opponents to convert on only 35 percent of their third down chances.
I mentioned how turnovers helped the Bulls in last year's MAC Championship. Well, it's worth noting that the Bobcats have forced a whopping 35 turnovers this season. That includes 19 interceptions and 16 fumble recoveries. Conversely, while the Chippewas do possess an excellent defense, they've only forced 18 turnovers.
These teams played a very close game against each other last season. Ohio led 14-10 at halftime and Central Michigan won by a score of 31-28. The Bobcats had an edge in time of possession and total yards. The Bobcats, who are 14-6 ATS the last 20 times that they were getting points, are much better this season. I look for them to give the Chippewas all they can handle for the second straight year, improving to 7-1 ATS the last eight times that they faced a team with a winning record. 10* RECOMMENDED SPORTSBOOKS:BetEd Logan's BetJamaica Ohio
Central Michigan 53
-13.5 -110
52.5
-13.5 -110
52.5
-13.5 -110
Ben Burns 12/4 Birthday BASH!
Ohio at Central Michigan Dec 4 2009 8:00PM
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