The Central Michigan Chippewas (6-4) sit in third place in the Mid-American Conference, looking for a pair of wins for a chance at a spot in the conference championship.
CMU travels to Kent State (4-6) on Wednesday to face the Golden Flashes, who seek consecutive wins for the first time this season.
Let’s dive into this Central Michigan vs. Kent State prediction for Wednesday’s battle, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. Use PrizePicks CFB to win real-money rewards if your picks are right.
Central Michigan vs. Kent State Prediction, Wednesday NCAAF Picks
- Since Central Michigan lost to Michigan by 60 points on September 13, the Chippewas have won five of their last seven games.
- Inside MAC play, Central Michigan owns a 4-2 record. However, both losses came on the road to Akron and Western Michigan.
- CMU and Kent State haven’t squared off since 2021, as the Chippewas won that matchup, 54-30.
- The Golden Flashes have alternated wins and losses in their last six games. Kent State outlasted Akron last Tuesday, 42-35, marking their second league win scoring 42 points.
- Kent State has yielded at least 31 points in six games, but only once at home against Buffalo on September 13.
- The Golden Flashes are 3-3 in conference play, an incredible improvement after an 0-8 showing in MACtion last season.
- Central Michigan lost to conference leader Western Michigan on November 1 in a 24-21 heartbreaker. The Chippewas led 21-14 in the fourth quarter before the Broncos scored the final 10 points in the last 9:01.
- In the four previous instances after Kent State scored at least 21 points, the Golden Flashes responded with 14, 10, 10, and 13 points.
Central Michigan Chippewas
- The Chippewas have fared well in the passing game, but not so much in their rushing attack. CMU ranks 42nd in EPA/pass, but sits 119th in EPA/rush.
- Defensively, Central Michigan is excellent in EPA/pass, ranking 32nd in the country. However, the Chippewas can’t stop the run, falling to 109th in EPA/rush.
- Last season, CMU finished in the top-45 in several key rushing metrics according to GameonPaper.com. But they have slipped to 119th or worse in four of the same advanced rushing stats in 2025.
Kent State Golden Flashes
- Kent State’s offense ranks 135th in the country in EPA/rush and rushing success rate.
- The Golden Flashes have scored the 14th-fewest points in the nation with 204. However, there are four MAC teams that have put up less points than Kent State.
- The only worthy offensive metric for Kent State is placing 57th in EPA/pass, compared to 114th in 2024.
Central Michigan vs. Kent State Prediction, Wednesday NCAAF Picks
Below are the top CFB DFS picks for Wednesday night’s battle between Central Michigan and Kent State.
Kent State QB Dru DeShields Projection: 191.5 Passing Yards
- The freshman is coming off the best performance of his young career, throwing for 317 yards and 5 TDs in a 42-35 triumph over Akron.
- His previous season-high came in a Week 3 loss to Buffalo, when he racked up 279 yards in a 31-28 home defeat.
- In his last two home starts, DeShields compiled 148 yards against UMass and 160 yards against Bowling Green. The Golden Flashes won each time and he threw a total of 5 TD passes.
- According to PFF, Central Michigan’s five worst defensive grades this season came on the road.
Central Michigan QB Joe Labas Projection: 152.5 Passing Yards
- Labas posted a season-high 247 yards in last Wednesday’s 38-19 victory over Buffalo.
- In each of the past two games, the senior has completed a pass for at least 75 yards. In a 24-21 defeat to Western Michigan on November 1, Labas threw for 152 yards, but one of those completions went for 77 yards.
- In his first five games against MAC opponents, Labas finished with 152 or fewer passing yards before his bust-out against Buffalo.
- Kent State has allowed five of six opposing conference QBs to throw for more than 173 yards.
Central Michigan WR Langston Lewis Projection: 48.5 Receiving Yards
- Lewis has exploded the last two games, racking up 111 yards against Western Michigan and 118 yards against Buffalo.
- Prior to this pair of incredible performances, the junior picked up a total of 184 receiving yards in the first eight games.
- Lewis was on the receiving end of those two long passes from Labas the past two games. He hauled in a 77-yard TD catch in the loss to Western Michigan, followed by a 75-yard TD reception in last week’s win over Buffalo. Both TDs came on the first play of each respective drive.
- In an October 25 victory over UMass, Lewis brought in a 48-yard catch. That reception totaled one fewer yard than his receiving yards output in the previous three games combined.
- In the last five games, Kent State’s defense has yielded at least 50 receiving yards to nine different players.
Central Michigan still has an opportunity to play for the MAC championship in early December, but can’t afford a slip-up against Kent State on Wednesday night.
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