The Eastern Michigan Eagles 1-10, are one of the worst football programs in the FCS. You would gave a hard time arguing that any program is worst. The Eagles have only finished .500 once since 1996, with their last winning season coming in 1995 during the Charlie Batch era.

Central Michigan comes in at a very solid 6-5. The Chippewas, has three loses to nationally ranked teams Oklahoma State, Michigan State and Toledo, to go along with close defeats to Syracuse and Western Michigan.

Central Michigan leads the Mid-American Conference in total defense, so don’t expect too many points from Eastern Michigan.  On offense, Central Michigan will hope to air the ball out with a passing attack that ranks second in the conference.

The only chance I see that the Eagles keep this game close is due to rain in the forecast tomorrow, however the rain is expected to clear up around kick off time.  If this turns into a ground game, one side will be asked to perform out of character. Central Michigan has the worst rushing attack in the MAC by far, averaging only 94 yards on the ground a game.  Unfortunately for the Eagles, their defense may not be strong enough to capitalize on the Chippewas deficiencies running the ball.  If the Chippewas are forced to run, they will be doing so against an Eastern Michigan defense that is allowing 324 rushing yards a game, which is dead last in the nation.

Eastern Michigan does rank number one in the conference for passing defense, however this shows where stats can be deceiving.  When you combine the Eagles inability to stop the run with the fact that they usually lose big, there isn’t much need for opponents to put the ball in the air.

A big point spread and potential rain are the only things keeping this from being a lock.  Despite the records, I expect Central Michigan to be motivated for their rival at home. I’m going in on Central Michigan -24.

(Central Michigan 35 Eastern Michigan 10)

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Washington State at Washington

The Apple Cup will be a battle between the Washington defense and Washington State offense.  Washington needs the win here to become bowl eligible, but this is a rivalry game, so motivation shouldn’t be an issue for either side.

I really like Washington State, and the Cougars are 6-0 against the spread as underdogs and 5-0 against the spread on the road this season. Washington State has risen up to every challenge during the last seven games, barely dropping one game during that span to Stanford, on a last second missed 43 yard field goal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyeodbfH5nc

Despite the fact that Washington State’s passing attack plays into the strength of Washington’s defense, I see the Cougars winning this game. Based on all spreads currently having Washington as at least a touchdown favorite, it’s even more reason to love the Washington State Cougars +8.

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This match-up features two of three the youngest head coaches in the FBS, P.J. Fleck, of Western Michigan, 34 and Matt Campbell of Toledo, 35. The future is bright for Campbell and Fleck, currently both are being rumored as a candidate for some soon to be open power five conference head coaching jobs. Ironically both coaches also share the same birth day of November 29th, one will have a happier birthday than the other.

Toledo has a lot at stake in this game, and I’d assume most fans of mid-majors outside of Kalamazoo or DeKalb, are probably pulling for the Rockets.  A Toledo victory would keep hopes of a New Years Day bowl alive, as the Rockets are currently ranked 24th in the College Football Playoff rankings. A Toledo win also means a rematch in the MAC Championship game and second chance for arch rival Bowling Green, who the Rockets defeated 44-28 on November 17. A Toledo loss would send the Northern Illinois Huskies to their sixth consecutive MAC Championship game.

Kareem Hunt hopes to lead Toledo to the school’s first MAC Championship game since 2004.

Western Michigan is very capable of ruining what has been a great season thus far for Toledo and Matt Campbell.  Two weeks ago the Broncos were rolling at 5-0 in the MAC before back-to back losses to Bowling Green and Northern Illinois. At 6-5, the Broncos will be looking to get the losing taste out of their mouths and improve their bowl position. Western Michigan also lost to Ohio State and Michigan State earlier this season. In this series, the Broncos have dropped five straight contest to the Rockets including 20-19 in overtime last season.

Both teams, run the ball well, but Toledo does a much better job of stopping the run.  The Rockets rank 13^th in the nation is rushing yards allowed a game, while the Broncos rank 96^th.  Not being able to stop the run played a big role in Western Michigan’s loses to both Northern Illinois and Bowling Green.  Toledo’s rushing attack is ranked number one in the Mid-American Conference. In what could be a chilly and wet Friday afternoon at the Glass Bowl, I see Toledo wearing Western Michigan down late in the second half, with standout running back Kareem Hunt leading the way.

Do not count Western Michigan out by any stretch of the imagination, but as long as Toledo protects the football, I think a rematch with Bowling Green is on the horizon.

The spread is Toledo -8, I think the Rockets cover, but as for me personally I am not going in at those odds. I’m going with Toledo at the Money line or in an adjusted spread. I like the Rockets, but I like them better at -6.5.

Toledo MONEYLINE 

(Toledo 30 Western Michigan 21) 

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Tulsa at Tulane definitely may not seem like one of the sexier match-ups of rivalry week, but if you want to win some money you should be paying attention.  At 5-6, Tulsa needs this game to become bowl eligible in Philip Montgomery’s first season as head coach.

Tulsa is a good offensive football team, averaging 35 points a game, including putting 38 points on the Oklahoma Sooners earlier this season. Tulsa has play makers on offense, led by wide receiver Keyarris Garret.

But as good as the Tulsa Golden Hurricane offense has been this season, the defense has been terrible (ranked 124th in nation for yards allowed per game), which is why Tulsa comes in with a losing record.

Despite the defensive deficiencies of Tulsa, Tulane’s defense isn’t much better and the Green Wave lack the Golden Hurricane’s firepower on the offensive side of the ball.  Tulane ranks 115th in the nation with 18 points scored a game, and in order to beat Tulsa, Tulane will need to put a lot of points on the board.

Tulane will have a hard time stopping Tulsa, who is playing for a bowl berth and is overall a better team. Much better than the six points that Vegas is currently giving Tulane. Last week SMU a 1-9 three point favorite rolled over Tulane by 28.  This game is senior day for Tulane in New Orleans, but it won’t matter.

Tulsa -6 rolls to victory and into a bowl game.

(Tulsa 38 Tulane 21)

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