Central Michigan at Purdue

The Motor City Bowl features Purdue vs C. Michigan, two teams that met earlier in the season in a game that went decisively in favor of Purdue 45-22. So what has changed to make us like C. Michigan? Lots. Purdue got out of the gate very fast starting 5-0. Then came the two games on the schedule vs. Michigan and Ohio State - both losses. The Boilermakers recovered, winning their next two to stand at 7-2. They were poised for a good finish and big Bowl at perhaps 10-2. It never happened! Purdue lost the last three games, making their finish 2-5. The limp into this minor Bowl game, wondering what could have been. How do you get motivated for a team you beat by 23 at home and actually led 38-0, especially when it is more like the Disappointment Bowl? We have seen teams such as this in the past show no interest, and find themselves in a battle. The good news is that C. Michigan moved the ball in that first game to the tune of 465 yards on the road. C. Michigan has played much better, having won four of their last five to get here. They are excited and looking for revenge! Purdue has done a horrible job as a favorite of 3.5-10 points, as they have fallen on 10 of their last 14 in that role. They are 1-6 SU and 1-5-1 ATS in their last six Bowl appearances. C. Michigan on the otherhand is 23-7 ATS in their last 30 overall. The public is all over Purdue, as this one looks easy, but the line keeps falling, showing larger chunks of money towards CMU. We like the motivated dog here vs an unmotivated opponent.