Saturday, September 20, 2014

Memorial Stadium in Lawrence

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Central Michigan comes in to Lawrence sporting a decent 2-1 record but one wouldn't know it from their offensive statistics as one of the worst rushing and passing teams in the nation. Their opponent the Kansas Jayhawks however know exactly where their bread is buttered with a rushing attack that has churned out 230 YPG through the first two contests. Unfortunately the other side of the ball can't seem to stop the running game either, allowing 227.5 YPG that is 17th worst in the FBS.

The Chippewas have tallied wins over Chattanooga (28-16) and Purdue (38-17) to start the year before being blown out at home last week against Syracuse 40-3. The Cental Michigan defense keyed their hot start to 2014, intercepting 6 passes over the first two games and QB Cooper Rush and RB Thomas Rawls have led an efficient, if not unspectacular offense. The wheels came off the bus so to speak last weekend though as Syracuse scored twice on defense and got 4 total TD from QB Terrel Hunt to fuel a 40-3 Orange win. The Chippewa rushing attack managed just 34 yards which is one of the reasons they rank 104th in the country.

If anything has been the perfect remedy for getting an offense righted in 2014, it's been a matchup with the Kansas defense. The Jayhawks unit is 101st in points allowed after giving up 34.5 the first two games and last week allowed 245 yards and 3TD on 12 carries to Duke RB Shaun Wilson in a 41-3 Blue Devil rout. For as bad as the Central Michigan passing attack has been in '14, the Kansas one is actually worse ranked 117th in the nation, largely in part to a 95-yard output last Saturday. Then again, the terrible twosome of De'Andre Mann and Corey Avery in the backfield doesn't necessitate a lot of dropback passes.

Kansas is favored slightly at home but sometimes these early season matchups are anybody's game. The teams haven't met each other since 2007 and both could be looking ahead to conference play opening up in a week which could lend to some sluggish play by two offenses struggling in the passing game.

Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Trends

Central Michigan Chippewas are 1-2-0 Against the Spread

Central Michigan Chippewas are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Trends

Kansas Jayhawks are 0-2-0 Against the Spread

Kansas Jayhawks are 0-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Central Michigan Chippewas

09/15/14 RB Thomas Rawls Suspension out indefinitely
09/14/14 WR Titus Davis Knee questionable Saturday vs. Kansas
08/23/14 WR Andrew Flory Dismissed dismissed from team

Kansas Jayhawks

09/03/14 DB Kevin Short Academics out for season
08/21/14 HB Brandon Bourbon ACL out for season
08/21/14 HB Taylor Cox Achilles out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Kansas

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