Central Michigan Chippewas vs New Mexico Lobos Prediction, 9/5/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Central Michigan Chippewas vs New Mexico Lobos

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Location: University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Lobos (-10.5)

Total/Over-Under: 46.5

The New Mexico Lobos (9-4 last year) will go up against the Central Michigan Chippewas (7-6 last season) at University Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026. New Mexico opens this matchup as 10.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 46.5.

The Central Michigan Chippewas wrapped up their season with a 7-6 record. The last time they took the field, the Chippewas went up against the Northwestern Wildcats and took a loss by a final of 34-7. At the end of the game, they had 60 plays which totaled 269 yds. The Central Michigan Chippewas ended up rushing 34 times and had 91 yds, which is an average of 2.7 yards per attempt. When it came to stopping the run, the Chippewas gave up 77 yards on 26 tries, which is 3.0 yards per run surrendered. Central Michigan surrendered 20 pass completions on 35 tries for 236 yards, and a completion percentage of 57.1%.

The Chippewas earned 4,297 total yards for the prior year. Central Michigan compiled 16 touchdowns through the air and 17 touchdowns via the ground. They gave the ball to the opposition 16 times. Central Michigan had 220 1st downs, and they were called for 78 penalties for 633 yards. Offensively they averaged 163.5 yds via the ground game, which had them sitting 60th in the country. When talking about putting the ball in the endzone, the Central Michigan Chippewas were sitting at 22.5 PPG.

When it comes to yards through the air, the Chippewas gave up 2,722 yds which ranked them 62nd in D-1. In their 13 games played, they conceded 209.4 yards per outing via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 58.1%. They relinquished 355.1 yards per outing putting them at 53rd in the country. They gave up 18 touchdowns through the air in addition to 18 running touchdowns. They gave up an average of 4.3 yards per rush and 145.7 yards on the ground per game last season. In total, they allowed 1,894 yards via the running game in 13 contests. The Chippewas sat in 55th in Division 1 when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 23.5 points per game.

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The Lobos ended the season having earned a 9-4 record. In their last game, the Lobos took a loss by a final score of 20-17 when they faced the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Lobos ended up finishing with 204 yards and they ran 66 plays (3.1 yards per play). New Mexico ended up running for 3.1 yards per tote, totaling 116 yards on 38 carries. New Mexico allowed 32 rushing attempts for 105 yards (3.3 yds per rush). The Lobos secondary gave up a completion percentage of 64.3%, relinquishing 147 yds on 18 out of 28 passing.

When looking at putting points on the board, the Lobos ranked 73rd in the nation averaging 27.1 PPG. The New Mexico Lobos averaged 356.8 yards/outing, which had them ranked 90th in college football. The New Mexico offense accrued 634 yds of penalties on 75 infractions, which ranked 75th in D-1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They tossed 10 interceptions while losing 13 fumbles and they obtained 252 1st downs. Last season, the Lobos racked up 2,662 passing yards not to mention averaging 204.8 throwing yards per game, which had them ranked 92nd in the nation. They had an average of 152.1 yards per game via the rush and ran for 1,977 yards for the year.

New Mexico surrendered a total of 1,466 rushing yards (112.8 yards per contest) in addition to 14 touchdowns rushing last year. They surrendered 20 touchdowns via the pass and 229.2 yards per game, which had them ranked 88th in college football. Overall, they allowed 290 points in total. They had 8 fumbles recovered and 9 interceptions last year. The Lobos defense took part in 846 plays, which ranked them 69th in D-1. The Lobos gave up 22.3 points per contest, which had them in 46th in college football.

Who will win tonight's Chippewas/Lobos college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Lobos -10.5

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