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Oddsmakers at BetOnline have the regular season wins total for the Central Michigan Chippewas set at 7.5 priced at -115 for both the OVER and UNDER.
Lew Nichols returns as the nation's reigning leader in rushing yards. This season, with Kobe Lewis opting to head to Purdue, Nichols will be in the starting role once again. He'll certainly have a target on his head as opponents now know what to expect.
Nichols was fantastic last season. He ran for 1,848 yards, which is the second most in CMU's history. He scored 16 rushing touchdowns and was selected as the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Nichols will have fresh backups and decent enough playmakers in the form of Myles Bailey and Marion Lukes.
"They're very talented, hard working and they're ready to make some plays," Nichols said. "You know, we lost Kobe, but we got a lot of talent in that room, a lot of talent on our team period. So those guys are excited to make plays."
The big issue for Central Michigan this season will be the severe losses at defense, and last year's defense was among the worst in the Mid-American Conference.
The Good
- In his three years as the CMU head coach, Jim McElwain and the program won at least a share of two division titles, went to two bowls, and has a solid 20-13 record overall and a 15-7 clip in conference.
- Lew Nichols returning as the nation's reigning leader in rushing yards (see above).
- Last year's team won 8 games (OVER this year's total of 7.5) and covered in 7.
- Donte Kent is a top returning defender for CMU who broke up 15 passes and recorded one interception last year.
- Only games at Oklahoma State and Penn State are almost certain losses early on.
The Bad
- The defense, in particular, was badly poached in the transfer portal. Losses included star safety Devonni Reed (South Carolina), LB Troy Brown (Ole Miss), and LB George Douglas (SMU) are gone along with leading tackler Greg Kreski and top pass rushers Troy Hairston (Houston Texans) and Amir Saddiq (Charlotte).
- The Chippewas ranked eighth in the 12-team Mid-American Conference in total defense last season and surrendered a league-worst 297.2 passing yards per game. Now they are likely to get worse?
- The linebackers corp just doesn't have enough depth.
- The cornerback position will be bare as they lost their top corner, Dishon McNary.
- Thes safety position was hurt even more by the transfer portal activity.
2022 Forecast From Gambling911
- Too much to overcome to improve upon their 8-win season last year, especially on the defense. Because of that, Gambling911.com will be on the UNDER 7.5 regular season wins in 2022.
Central Michigan Chippewas 2022 Schedule
Sept 1 at Oklahoma State
Sept 10 South Alabama
Sept 17 Bucknell
Sept 24 at Penn State
Oct 1 at Toledo
Oct 8 Ball State
Oct 15 at Akron
Oct 22 Bowling Green
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 2 at Northern Illinois
Nov 9 Buffalo
Nov 16 Western Michigan
Nov 25 at Eastern Michigan
PLACE YOUR BETS HERE
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
