Knights vs Cardinals NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
It’s impressive that Western Kentucky finds its way to a bowl, when the Hilltoppers didn’t become an FBS member until 2009. There is more redemption in the fact that WKU was passed over last year, with an identical 7-5 record on the campaign.
Little Caesars Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (6-6)
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, 7:30 pm EST
Ford Field, Detroit MI
Betting Information Courtesy Sportsbook.ag
WKU -6, Central Mich. +6
Over/Under: 58.5
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
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Incidentally, this year’s Little Caesars Bowl marks Central Michigan’s first bowl bid since – you guessed it – 2009.
Finishing at 6-6, the Chippewas’ 2012 season was rather uninspiring save for a huge win on Sept. 22 at Iowa. Even Northern Illinois – the BCS-busting team that will represent the MAC against Florida State in the Orange Bowl – wasn’t able to beat Iowa.
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An optimistic Central Michigan fan would note that the Chips have won their last three games, and four of their last five. They have been doing it with a balanced attack centered around senior field general Ryan Radcliff (2,905 pass yards), RB Zurlon Tipton (1,391 yards, 19 TDs) and sophomore WR Titus Davis (860 yards, eight majors).
Veteran Radcliff has the savvy to distribute the ball to all the playmakers, and guide the offense with precision. Clearly, though, some the excitement must be tempered by the fact Central Michigan went only 1-4 in its division this season.
Meanwhile, for Western Kentucky, the bulk of the heavy lifting is done by junior RB Antonio Andrews. The in-state specimen racked up 1,609 yards on an intense 277 carries. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The ’Toppers had two razor-close OT games this campaign; one a jubilant 32-31 victory over in-state rival Kentucky, the other a barn-burning 43-42 loss to Louisiana-Monroe.
With the exception of a 35-0 pasting at the hands of Alabama (and who can blame them for that?), all of WKU’s losses were fairly narrow. With a couple of different bounces, the Hilltoppers could’ve had nine or even 10 wins.
To be successful in its first ever bowl game, Western Kentucky must deploy its potent running game against an opponent that struggles to stop the run. In reality, if it weren’t for that one-point win over the Hawkeyes, Central Michigan’s season would be decidedly pedestrian, and likely not worthy of the postseason. If the Chips stack the box to key in on Andrews, it will be up to senior QB Kawaun Jakes to get the job done aerially.
In general, I consider the MAC to be a stronger conference than the Sun Belt, but I like Western Kentucky’s chances to come away with a victory in the Motor City (ostensibly on Central Michigan’s home turf) in its first taste of the college bowl season.
Score Prediction: Western Kentucky 29, Central Michigan 24
