The stage is set for an exciting Week 5 NCAAF matchup between the San Diego State Aztecs and the Central Michigan Chippewas. This Saturday, September 28, 2024, both teams will compete to improve their standings, with the Aztecs entering at 1-2 and the Chippewas at 2-2. The game will take place at the Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. As we dive deeper into the matchup, including elite NCAAF free picks, let’s uncover how each team stacks up and what to expect.
San Diego State Aztecs vs. Central Michigan Chippewas 9/28/24 Game Info |
|
| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium |
| TV: | CBS Sports Network |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
San Diego State Aztecs (1-2) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (2-2)
The entry of the San Diego State Aztecs into this battle was both exciting and worrying at the same time. Top rusher Paris is a bulldozer. He has had 62 attempts, and in those, he has garnered 363 rushing yards on his analysis, averaging 5.9 yards per rush. With two of these touchdowns and a ways long of 47 yards, Cooper represents the last hope for the Aztecs. Also contributing to the receiving department, Louis Brown IV has 160 receiving yards on 8 receptions, which is an average of 20 yards per catch. Pursuing Brown IV like other defenders today in Eastern Michigan’s vs Kent State, where defense would be broken, would pose a possibility of defeating their adversaries.
For the past few games, most of the Central Michigan players have been contributing to the offense, balancing out the productivity among the rushing and passing capabilities, ironically, for the last few weeks. Even though B.J. Harris has relatively few carries, he is still highly influential, recording an average of 9.7 yards each time he runs the ball over 24 occasions and running 71 yards for one of his many notable runs. Further, Evan Boyd takes advantage of his 202 receiving yards on 11 receptions to stretch the defense thin. He averages 18.4 yards for every catch and stretches as far as 47 yards on one occasion. Some of the successful play patterns in today’s game of Western Michigan vs Marshall seem to have some reasonable comparison with this, as it was the moment that kick-started the changes in the game.
Danny O’Neil QB vs. Joe Labas QB
San Diego State’s quarterback, Danny O’Neil, has been active with 33 completions out of 57 attempts worth 321 passing yards. O’Neil has a quite competitive completion percentage of 57.9%. Keith D’Anne, San Diego State, has scored two touchdowns, made no interceptions, and had a passer rating of 116.8, maximum, although he has not lost the handle on the ball in tight situations. However, the three sacks recorded on O’Neil further emphasize the need for better pocket awareness, which is key and crucial in reducing loss of yards and maintaining offensive rhythm.
Central Michigan starts with Joe Labas, who has put in even better numbers with 64 completions out of 108 attempts worth 803 passing yards. With a completion rate of 59.3%, Labas improved over O’Neil slightly, who managed to score six touchdowns while also getting six interceptions. While Labas’s 128.9 passer rating relates to great offensive productivity, the interceptions open tenor opponent’s doors for having a field day with that defense. His five sacks speak volumes about poor protection on the offensive lines.
Every time these quarterbacks lock horns, each one has undeniable and contrasting potential. O’Neil plays too cautiously and would benefit from Labas’ second instinct of looking and making quick plays. In contrast, Labas needs to protect himself from unconstructive turnovers, mainly when San Diego State is playing D. When pacing and scoring in this well-anticipated game, their impacts may well determine the outcome of the gentle pacing.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Central Michigan -1.5, Total Odds: 49.5
The current betting odds favor Central Michigan with a slender -1.5 spread. The game total is set at 49.5, reflecting expectations for moderate scoring given the teams’ offensive stats. Observers and bettors might find the spread intriguing, suggesting a tightly contested game with each side capable of edging past the other based on minute execution strategies.
San Diego State Betting Trends
The Aztecs have been struggling, proven by their 3-10 straight-up (SU) record in their last 13 games. However, their historical success against the Mid-American Conference, with a 7-1 SU record, gives them a psychological advantage in face-offs like this. Notably, the Aztecs tend to underperform in September, with a 3-9 against the spread (ATS) record suggesting potential pitfalls amid first-quarter moments.
Central Michigan Betting Trends
Conversely, Central Michigan has capitalized on home advantage, winning six out of their last seven games at home. Their 2-9-1 ATS record points to struggles in covering spreads, which could sway betting decisions. Despite these struggles, the Chippewas have seen totals go over in six of their last eight games, hinting at offensive fireworks as a common theme in recent outings.
San Diego State vs. Central Michigan 9/28/24 Betting Picks
Central Michigan’s home fortitude aligns with their favored status, but San Diego State’s experience against Mid-American teams suggests an upset is plausible. The face-off may be decided by how effectively San Diego State can exploit Central Michigan’s defensive susceptibilities, alongside managing their typical September slumps.
Exploring prop bets on rushing yards could be lucrative for bettors, considering Cooper and Harris’s explosive runs. Additionally, leveraging multi-handicapper premium tips for guidance on over/under options, especially with the Chippewas’ over trends, may amplify potential returns.