After last week’s results split between the two teams, the Buffalo vs. Central Michigan prediction is a bit different than it may appear. The Bulls put up a dud against Ohio while the Chippewas rode their defense to victory. Who has the advantage in the Buffalo vs. Central Michigan pick?
Buffalo vs. Central Michigan Betting Preview
- Spread
Central Michigan (-1) - Moneyline
Central Michigan (-425); Buffalo (+340) - Over/Under
54 points - Game time
8 p.m. ET - Location
Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI - Predicted weather at kickoff
47 degrees, cloudy, 8-10 mph winds - How to watch
fuboTV, ESPN 2
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
As always, FanDuel offers $60,000 to construct your best lineup through the three Wednesday MAC games. FanDuel is also giving new users $10 with a $1 entry. If you’re playing anyway, you might as well make use of this offer on a MACtion day.
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- QB Cole Snyder ($8,800)
- QB D. Richardson ($8,500)
- QB Jase Bauer ($10,000)
- RB L. Nichols III ($9,000)
- RB R. Cook Jr. ($7,400)
- RB M. Washington ($7,600)
- RB M. Lukes ($6,000)
- WR C. Carriere ($7,100)
- WR Q. Williams ($7,300)
- WR J. Marshall ($8,000)
- WR J. McGaughty ($6,100)
- WR J. Gassett ($6,500)
- WR Finn Hogan ($5,300)
- TE C. Conley ($5,000)
- TE R Mangas ($5,200)
The Buffalo defense is heading to Kalamazoo after allowing five touchdowns through the air to Ohio. That bodes very well for the receiving threats for CMU. The Chips have massive mismatch nightmares in the 6’5″ Carlos Carriere, 6’4″ Jalen McGaughy, and 6’4″ tight end Joel Wilson.
That trio of players is certainly dependent on the quarterback situation for Central Michigan, however. The platoon strategy of deploying Daniel Richardson for the majority of the passing attempts but freshman Jase Bauer for designed carries seemed to work against Northern Illinois.
As tempting as Bauer is after his two-touchdown performance last week, that split share of their snaps is not worth the price here (for either quarterback).
Grab what you can afford of the pass-catching options at Central Michigan and look to the Buffalo backfield to fill your running back spots.
Ron Cook Jr. has more carries, yet Mike Washington has more yards. It’s a near even share of touches for the backfield duo from Buffalo:
Cook – 116 attempts, 502 yards, 3 touchdowns
Washington – 113 attempts, 503 yards, 6 touchdowns
Cook, however, does more in the receiving game and warrants a look against CMU’s linebacking corps, which is a bit depleted.
Prediction for Buffalo vs. Central Michigan
Central Michigan’s road map to victory is simple: defeat Buffalo deep. Fortunately for the Chips, they have the weapons to do so (if they can consistently field a quarterback).
Daniel Richardson is certainly the downfield passer, and his documented history of making big plays with his arm is enticing enough to ensure you grab CMU here. Given the added element of Jase Bauer’s legs in the backfield alongside Richardson (or in his place), this game could lean heavily toward Central Michigan.
The Buffalo Bulls have the pieces on defense to make this a contest. However, what CMU does well mitigates the Bulls’ key defensive assets.
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The linebacking unit of Shaun Dolac, James Patterson, and co. are the leaders of the defense. They do their damage on the inside and underneath routes, but CMU defeats opponents vertically and at the sidelines.
The Buffalo cornerbacks must match up to the challenge to even make this a contest, as the Bulls’ offense is not built to come from behind.
In what should be a back-and-forth affair, give the advantage to the more physically dominant and hotter team.
Fire up the Chips. And grab the over.
Prediction: Central Michigan 34, Buffalo 31