SUN BOWL -- I'm a MAC guy so I've seen Central Michigan all season and the Chips are no joke, led by national rushing leader Lew Nicholls III. They can score ... defense can be a problem. What has swayed me to take the points, though, is that Wazzu is without its top two running backs and both starting offensive tackles. I think at worst we push here.

The playing field evens for a Group of Five versus a Power Five bowl matchup when the latter is decimated by opt-outs and banished players. Washington State’s offense has been stripped of RBs Max Borghi and Deon McIntosh, plus OTs Abe Lucas and Liam Ryan. On the flip side, FBS rush leader Lew Nichols III of Central Michigan can riddle one of the nation’s most chewed-up run defenses. Motivation favors the Chippewas after they received a lifeline from the Sun Bowl when their Arizona Bowl gig was canceled. I'm on Central Michigan.

These two teams had to scramble to get this game scheduled, which, understandably, has caused line movement. With that said, the Cougars have gone from 2.5-point underdogs to seven-point favorites over the course of one week. That’s insane, but it’s also not enough. The Cougs have covered eight of 11 games and are 4-1 against the spread this year. That, of course, was in the midst of massive uncertainty in the coaching staff. This team is now stable … and will roll in El Paso.