Motor City Bowl: Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan Preview

Florida Atlantic Owls got a bowl bid at 6-6 after winning an overtime game to end the regular season. The Central Michigan Chippewas lost another high-scoring game to end the year at 8-4. Now both teams will be trying to pick up a win December 26 when they battle at Ford Field in the Motor City Bowl. Oddsmakers currently have the Chippewas listed as 7-point favorites versus the Owls, while the game's total is sitting at 68. Florida Atlantic came back in the dying seconds and then prevailed in overtime with a 57-50 victory over Florida International in Week 14. Florida Atlantic covered the 4.5-point spread, and the combined 107 points sailed OVER the posted total of 50.5. Rusty Smith threw five touchdown passes and finished with 389 yards passing in the win. Central Michigan lost to Eastern Michigan 56-52 as an 11-point favorite in their last game. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (64). Dan LeFevour threw for 378 yards with four touchdowns and an interception for Central Michigan and Antonio Brown had seven receptions for 172 yards with a TD. Team records: Florida Atlantic: 6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS Central Michigan: 8-4 SU, 6-5 ATS Florida Atlantic most recently: When playing in December are 2-1 When playing on turf are 6-4 After outgaining opponent are 6-4 When playing outside the conference are 4-6 Central Michigan most recently: When playing in December are 2-1 When playing on turf are 8-2 After being outgained are 6-4 When playing outside the conference are 3-7 A few trends to consider: Florida Atlantic is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida Atlantic's last 10 games Florida Atlantic is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games Central Michigan is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Central Michigan's last 6 games