Central Michigan at Kentucky College Football Picks and Predictions 9/1/2018

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Kroger Field

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Kroger Field is the venue for the game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, September 1, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Kentucky as 20 point favorites. The Wildcats were 4-9-0 against the spread last year and their over/under mark was 6-7-0. The Chippewas were 7-6-0 ATS and their over/under record was 7-6-0.

Valuable Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Trends

The Central Michigan Chippewas were 7-6-0 against the over/under last season

The Central Michigan Chippewas were 7-6-0 against the spread last year

Important Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats were 6-7-0 against the over/under last season

The Kentucky Wildcats were 4-9-0 against the spread last year

Key Central Michigan Chippewas Injuries

07/20/18 CB Xavier Crawford Eligibility is probable Saturday vs Kentucky

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

08/22/18 OL E.J. Price Hand is questionable Saturday vs Central Michigan
08/22/18 LB Jordan Jones Ankle is upgraded to probable Saturday vs Central Michigan
08/04/18 DE Joshua Paschal Illness is out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Central Michigan Chippewas ran for 1,755 yards as a team last year, which ranked 96th in the nation. They ran 450 times, averaging 3.9 yards per rush as a unit. The Chippewas were penalized on offense 83 times for 803 yards last year, which had them 42nd in the country in penalties. They were 60th in Division 1 in points scored with 371. They ran 919 plays last year for 5,079 yards, which ranked them 38th in the nation in total offense. The Chippewas averaged 5.5 yards per play, which was 78th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 238 1st downs last season, ranking them 91st overall as an offensive unit. Tony Poljan completed 13 throws while attempting 21 passes for a completion percentage of 61.9% last year. He passed for 78 yards. He averaged 3.7 adjusted yards per throw and 3.7 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 93.1.

Defensive Statistics

The Chippewas rush defense gave up 556 attempts for 2,408 yards last season, putting them in 96th place in the country against the run. They had 90 penalties for 792 yards on defense last year. That placed them 109th in Division 1. Central Michigan was 74th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 358. They gave up a total of 4,820 yards on D, which was 59th in the nation. The Chippewas were 20th in yards per play allowed with 5. Opponent offenses completed 220 throws on 402 attempts against the Central Michigan Chippewas defense last season, ranking them 51st and 71st in the country. The Central Michigan pass defense also surrendered a total of 2,412 yards in the air, which was 25th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Central Michigan Chippewas tried 10 field goals last year and made 7, which was 123rd in college football. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 64%. Central Michigan Chippewas kickers made 98% of their extra points, going 46 for 46 last season. Their punters accumulated 3,797 yards on 88 punts, averaging 43 yards per punt. That ranked them 41st in the NCAA in punting average. Central Michigan was 44th in the country in punt returns with 21 last season. They totaled 109 punt return yards and averaged 5.2 yards per return, which was 100th in D-1. They returned 39 kicks for 859 yards on special teams, which put them 48th in kick return yardage. The Chippewas averaged 22 yards per kick return and they were 58th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 6,048.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Wildcats were 79th in Division 1 in points scored with 332 last year. They ran 818 plays last season for 4,547 yards, which ranked them 96th in the nation in total offense. The Kentucky Wildcats averaged 5.6 yards per play, which was 67th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 242 1st downs last year, placing them 87th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Kentucky ran for 2,102 yards as a team, which ranked 62nd in the country. They ran 488 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Wildcats were penalized on offense 72 times for 627 yards last season, which had them 78th in the nation in penalties. Terry Wilson is expected to start at quarterback, although it's still up in the air between him and Gunnar Hoak. This quarterback battle will be important to watch early in the season.

Defensive Statistics

Kentucky was 77th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 367 last season. They surrendered a total of 5,550 yards on D, which was 107th in Division 1. The Wildcats were ranked 99th in yards per play allowed with 6.2. Opposing offenses completed 274 passes on 426 attempts against the Kentucky defense last season, placing them 114th and 88th in the country. The Kentucky Wildcats pass defense also gave up a total of 3,271 yards through the air, which was 107th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 465 attempts for 2,279 yards last year, putting them in 82nd place in D-1 against the run. The Wildcats committed 91 penalties for 787 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 105th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Kentucky was ranked 118th in the nation in punt returns with 8 last year. They accumulated 112 punt return yards and averaged 14 yards per return, which was 8th in college football. They returned 48 kicks for 1,036 yards on special teams, ranking 14th in kick return yardage. The Kentucky Wildcats averaged 22 yards per kick return and they were 84th in the country in all-purpose yards with 5,695. The Wildcats attempted 29 field goals last season and made 22, which was 7th in D-1. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 79%. Kentucky kickers made 100% of their extra points, going 36 for 36 last year. Their punters totaled 2,824 yards on 68 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That placed them 55th in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Chippewas/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Chippewas +20

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