Free College Football Picks Today: Toledo Rockets vs Central Michigan Chippewas 10/1/22

Two of the Mid-American Conference’s top scoring offenses are set to meet at Glass Bowl on Saturday, as the Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-3, 0-2 Away) travel to face the University of Toledo Rockets (2-2, 2-0 Home) to open their MAC schedules. The Rockets are seven-point favorites, and the total is 56.5. Central Michigan is coming off a 33-14 loss at the hands of No. 14 Penn State at Beaver Stadium last Saturday. Daniel Richardson was 26 of 45 for 235 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lew Nichols III ran 13 times for 67 yards. Carlos Carriere caught 11 passes for 111 yards. Toledo lost 17-14 to San Diego State at Snapdragon Stadium last Saturday. Dequan Finn threw for 254 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. Jacquez Stuart carried 14 times for 54 yards. DeMeer Blankumsee hauled in eight receptions for 112 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Chippewas won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 26-23 overtime victory in October. Richardson threw two touchdowns for Central Michigan.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Chippewas are averaging 30.8 points per game so far this season, third in the MAC, and they are facing a Rockets defense that has surrendered 26.0 PPG (2nd). Meanwhile, Toledo has scored 31.8 points a game this season, best in the conference, and Central Michigan is allowing 32.3 PPG (4th). The Chippewas rank 21st in the nation in passing yards per game (302.0) and 85th in rushing (144.5). They will be facing a tough test through the air, as the Rockets are 16th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (165.8). Against the run, Toledo is 112th (187.0).Toledo is 99th in the country in passing yards per game (206.3) and 55th in rushing (176.5). Central Michigan’s defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Chippewas are 116th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (283.8). Against the run, the Chippewas are 46th (115.0).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Richardson has thrown for nine touchdowns (4 INT) and 281.0 yards per game to lead Central Michigan in passing. In two away games this season, he has six TDs (3 INT) and an average of 329.5 yards passing. Nichols III leads the team in rushing with an average of 81.3 yards a game over four games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Carriere is the Chippewas’ leading receiver with 85.0 yards a game and one TD. Finn has six passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 195.2 yards per game through four games to lead Toledo. In two home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 194.0 yards. Finn also leads the team in rushing with an average of 63.0 yards per game. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Blankumsee has been a key target in the Rockets’ passing game, averaging 58.8 yards per game through four appearances.