Central Michigan at Georgia (09/06/2008)

For Saturday’s free play in college football, we’ll take Central Michigan plus the points against second-ranked Georgia.

Frankly, I’m just not sold on the Bulldogs like most everyone else is. Don’t get me wrong – they’re a very deep, talented and experienced squad. But I have to believe Georgia’s players read all the press clippings in the summer about how great there are, and that’s gotta have an affect on 18- to 22-year-old kids.

I’m not saying Georgia loses this game to Central Michigan – I just don’t think it’s going to be a four-touchdown blowout, that’s all. In addition to Georiga’s potential overconfidence, I think the Chippewas can put up a decent fight. The two-time defending MAC champs have 16 returning starters, including versatile QB Dan LeFevour, who had 27 passing TDs and 19 rushing TDs last year. (Last week against Eastern Illinois, LeFevour went 21-for-31 for 217 yards and three TDs, while adding 42 rushing yards, in a 31-21 win.)

Also, this isn’t the first time this experienced Central Michigan squad has knocked heads with a formidable foe. Last year, the Chippewas faced Purdue (twice), Kansas and Clemson. Yes, all three destroyed the Chips in the regular season (Purdue won by just three in a bowl game), but now with another year under their belt and a possible Top 25 spot on the horizon, I expect Central Michigan to give a much stronger effort here.

Throw in the fact that Georgia, which is 1-5 ATS in its last six as a double-digit favorite, has a legitimate revenge game on deck against South Carolina, and I’ll take the generous points with CMU, which has cashed in 24 of its last 34 lined games.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN