I took a vacation day today since I am working double shifts this Thursday and Friday so this game will give me something to look at while the cornbread and peas are cooking and the grill’s chugging along.
Team reports are now listing Toledo’s 1st and 2nd string QBs as probable for all that’s worth.
Wednesday's game matches two of the top three scoring offenses in the Mid-American Conference. CMU is averaging a league-leading 30.6 points per game, while Toledo ranks third at 28.6 points per game. The two teams' defenses are at opposite ends of the statistical rankings, however. CMU leads the MAC in scoring defense, surrendering just 16.9 points per game, while Toledo is allowing a league-high 37.4 points per game.
Power rankings have CMU 22 points better in this matchup giving them the edge. My offshore has this at -17.5 and 61 as of 6 AM CST. As I looked over these teams’ common opponents, I found the W. MICH game very interesting. Here are some of the stats:
W. MICH. completed 40 of 66 against CMU BUT only 17 of 282 against Toledo. Having only that stat in front of me and not having seen either of the 3 teams mention play this year, I am curious as to why they were able to pass so effectively against CMU but not Toledo. I am assuming the reason is the rushing stats listed next.
In the rushing department, W. MICH. Had 26 rushes for 87 yards against CMU and 31 for 252 against Toledo.
CMU has had 7 turnovers this year whereas Toledo has had 15.
One stat I really liked was that CMU was able to pass for 34 of 47 and 352 yards in their game against Michigan State. I believe they’ll top that stat tonight.
The average “yards per catch” of all the teams Toledo has played is 12.2 with the lowest average going to Ball State at 9.4 and the best average belonging to W. Mich. At 16.6.
And probably the BEST stat:
CMU has out-scored its nine opponents by a total of 96 points (173-77) in the first half. The Chippewas have out-scored opponents by a combined 64-19 in the first quarter and 109-58 in the second quarter and CMU has led games by an average score of 19.2-8.6 at halftime in 2009. CMU has held six of its last seven opponents scoreless in the first quarter.
My first wager was CMU -10 for the 1st half. Once my book post their 1st Quarter lines as well as their proposition bets, I’ll be looking for 1st quarter totals, sides, and maybe a prop bet on who scores first and how quickly.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2 tonight with a 7:05 CST kickoff.
Good Luck to All!!!