If the TCU/Boise game the other night was the mid-major championship, then what is this game between Sun Belt Champion Troy and MAC Champion Central Michigan? The mid-major NIT? Who knows, but I will say I am very excited to watch this game. Both teams have dynamic offenses, led by experienced, savvy and playmaking senior quarterbacks. While the TCU/Boise game showcased that ‘yes, mid majors do have defense’ tonight’s game ought to have a decided offensive bent. Gamblers who bit hard on Monday night’s Over, should be able to recoup their losses this evening. I cant imagine a shortage of points this evening.
For me, its also a sad night of football. It’s the swan song of one Dan LeFevour, the CMU quarterback. It’s been a blast watching this kid for four years. Not to mention gambling on him. During his four years, the CHIPS have been one of the better ATS teams in the land. Allow me to go through some of my personal highlights of the LeFevour Era in Mt Pleasant.
- He found playing time right away, subbing in and never looking back, in his first ever college game against Boston College in 2006. It was a Thursday night game, the opening day of football that season, and it was a rare home game for a MAC school over a BCS league team. The Chips gave them all they could handle, losing by 31-24, but covering the 11-point number. LeFevour threw for 221 yards and run for another 72 yards.
- The back to back MAC Championship games they won over Ohio and Miami during his freshmen and sophomore seasons. The Chips were laying just a field goal in both games. It was easy money and the CHIPS rolled to a pair of blowout wins.
- The 2007 rivalry game with Western Michigan, one of the most bizarre games I’ve watched, let alone bet on. It was 10-7 after three quarters, but the teams combined for 48 points in a fourth quarter for the ages. The Chips lost a 10-point lead, but scored the game winning points on a goal line sneak by LeFevour on the final play of the game. This was one of those classic Tuesday night November games in the MAC. And, frankly, if its revealed that not everything was on the up and up about it, it would not surprise me in the least. But, I wont be refunding any Books money, thats for sure.
- The 28 points he engineered in the third quarter of the 2007 Motor City Bowl, a classic shootout with Purdue. The Chips were down big at the half, but LeFevour wiped the defecit out in the third quarter alone, throwing two and running two touchdowns. While the Chips lost, LeFevour was brilliant that night. And, it brought this blogger a big win on the side and the total. This is really one of my favorite games of all time.
- That is, if the 2009 CMU/Sparty game isnt. We all know what happened here. LeFeveour moved the ball all day on MSU. The two TD head start via the point spread was never in doubt. But, CMU basically had the ball the whole second half and they won it at the end because MSU couldnt recover an on-sides kick or not jump offsides. Part of Mike Valenti’s soul died a bit that day. That’s alwyas a good thing.
Really, the kid’s whole career at CMU has been a highlight for me. I cant recall the last MAC team that for four solid years running was easy money against the Vegas line the way Central has been with LeFevour at QB. The Chips are 34-14-2 ATS with LeFevour as a starter. There’s no way I am fading that. There’s time for one last dance.
The Pick: CMU -2.5, 1 Unit……..Troy brings their own stud quarterback, so this wont be easy. But, the bottomline is both teams bring in good offenses. Only one, however, brings in a defense and thats Central. The Chips are pretty good across the board on D, but Troy gives up yards like a sieve. Am I worried that the MAC have lost their last eleventy billion bowl games in a row? Not really. The Chips arent your standard MAC team. Besides, BG blew out Troy this season and I think CMU is a much better team.
