GMAC Bowl Betting

Troy Spartans (9-3) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (11-2)
Opening Line: Chippewas -4 / Spartans +4 O/U 63
Wednesday January 6, 2010 on ESPN

The Troy Trojans and their dynamic passing offense face the Central Michigan Chippewas, who are solid on both sides of the ball, in the GMAC Bowl. Troy averages the 4th most passing yards per game and Central Michigan has a solid offense as well ranking 16th in the nation in scoring and scoring at least 45 points in 5 games this season. The one main difference between these teams is on defense, where the Chippewas are legit while the Spartans have struggled all season. The Spartans dropped their first 2 games of the season, but for the rest of the season only lost one more game and they were 0-1 in games against ranked opponents. Central Michigan won their last 4 games of the season and they did not play a ranked opponent all season.

In their last games Troy beat Louisiana-Lafayette 48-31 and Central Michigan beat Ohio 20-10.

his season Central Michigan was 9-3 ATS and Troy was 7-5 ATS.

Troy and their dynamic offense is led by QB Levi Brown (3,868 yds 22 TD 9 INT), who ranked 2nd in the nation with 322.3 passing yards per game. His main target is WR Jerrel Jernigan (62 rec 947 yds 4 TD), who averaged 15.3 yards per reception this season. Troy's strength on offense is passing the ball, but they are respectable running the ball with the nation's 61st ranked offense. The RB duo of Shawn Southward and DuJuan Harris may have a good game, especially if the Chippewas only focus on defending the pass. Central Michigan ranks 28th in the nation on defense and their strength is defending the run. Troy may have to get into a shootout in this game since their defense is not strong to say the least.

Central Michigan's offense ranked 33rd in the nation this season and QB Dan LeFevour (3,043 yds 27 TD 6 INT) is THE man, as he also leads the team in rushing yards with 701 yards and 14 rushing TD's. He is joined in the backfield by RB Bryan Schroeder (486 yds 5 TD). WR Antonio Brown is the main WR for Central Michigan with over 1,000 receiving yards, just under 100 receptions this season, and 9 TD's. Troy's defense ranks 100th in the nation and they are especially weak defending the run having the nation's 117th ranked pass defense.