After Central Michigan pulled off a rivalry road upset to kick off its slate of MACtion football games, the Chippewas look to ride the victory wave against divisional leader Kent State.
Central captured the Victory Cannon trophy from Western Michigan in Week 9. The 42-30 victory was the Chippewas’ first in three years against heated rival Western.
Wednesday’s game is a highlight of the second set of midweek games throughout November in the Mid-American Conference.
Kent State at Central Michigan: NCAA Football Odds
Oddsmakers expect tight shootout
Once again, oddsmakers waited to release numbers for this game until late in the weekend, because of mid-week play for MAC schools.
Michigan sportsbooks have settled on gameday into a close contest, with almost all major operators favoring Central Michigan by 2.5 points over Kent State.
BetRivers Sportsbook varied slightly, favoring the Chippewas by 2 points.
Given the tight point spread, favorable moneylines are available on both sides of this game. For Central Michigan, a -130 was still available at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday morning. Those on the side of Kent State could get them at +120 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Most sportsbooks have set an astounding over/under of 75.5 points. Caesars Sportsbook and PointsBet Sportsbook each offered 75 points.
For a tangible reference, Central Michigan’s games have gone over 66 points three times this season. The Chips are 4-5-0 against the spread this season.
Kent State and its opponents have scored more than 66 points in four games this season.
Check our live odds tracker above for real-time movement on the betting line and to place your wagers.
How to watch: Kent State Golden Flashes at Central Michigan Chippewas
- Who: Kent State (5-4, 4-1 MAC) at Central Michigan (5-4, 3-2)
- When: 8 p.m., ET, Wednesday
- Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
- TV: ESPNU (Announcers: Drew Carter, Barrett Brooks)
- Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network
Kalil Pimpleton, Chips run over rival Western Michigan
Central Michigan started last week’s game with a missed field goal and went down 14-0 by the second quarter. Then the Chips came alive, scoring three touchdowns in five minutes — all by Kalil Pimpleton.
Plimpton’s trio of scores included an 11-yard pass that came sandwiched between two long punt returns for touchdowns: the first for 70 yards and the second for 97. The junior wide receiver finished with five catches for 115 yards, his fourth game of 100-plus yards this season.
Lew Nichols III continued his streak of gaining more than 100 yards for his fourth game in a row, finishing with 26 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Joel Wilson caught four passes for 69 yards and a touchdown pass from Darius Bracy.
Quarterback Daniel Richardson finished 10-of-18 for 230 yards and a touchdown.
The victory was head coach Jim McElwain’s first in three tries against the Broncos.
Kent State’s big second quarter leads Flashes past NIU
Kent State hadn’t beat Northern Illinois since 2001. Then came the Week 9 matchup that propelled the three-point underdog Golden Flashes to a 52-47 victory over the Huskies.
The Golden Flashes squad scored seven touchdowns in the game, including four straight in the second quarter.
Both teams finished with nearly 700 yards in total offense. Kent State had 322 by air and 360 on the ground.
Dustin Crum completed 20 passes on 30 tries and threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns. The quarterback also gained 72 yards on the ground, along with two rushing touchdowns.
Marquez Cooper had 23 carries for 173 yards and two scores. Xavier Williams had 15 carries for 103 yards. Nykeim Johnson had one carry for 14 yards and a touchdown on the ground and three receptions for 38 yards while catching a touchdown pass.
Dante Cephas had five catches for 124 yards, and Kris Leach added a 4-yard touchdown catch to the offense’s efforts.
Central Michigan leads in Kent State rivalry
The Chips have the lead the overall series against the Golden Flashes 24-11.
Central had two nine-game winning streaks against Kent State, from 1977-85 and again from 1988-96.
The teams last played on Nov. 14, 2017, a 42-23 Central Michigan victory in Ohio.
Here in 2021, Kent State sits atop the MAC East in first place. Central sits in the middle of the MAC pack.
