Motor City Bowl braces for retread

The long-awaited rematch takes place tonight in Detroit.

Well, there has to be someone who wanted to see Purdue and Central Michigan play for a second time this season. The wish will be granted in the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field.

Purdue, which blitzed Central Michigan, 45-22, thus covering the spread as the 21 1/2 -point favorite in the first encounter on Sept. 15, is favored to do so again, although the Chippewas, fresh off their second consecutive Mid-American Conference title, could make things more interesting this time.

After losing three of its first four, Central Michigan, which defeated Middle Tennessee State, 31-14, in last year’s Motor City Bowl, finished by winning seven of nine.

Meanwhile, the Boilermakers, who began the year 5-0, have lost three in a row and five of their last seven.

As in the first game, points should be plentiful. The Chippewas, who are led by quarterback Dan LeFevour, have scored 35 or more points eight times, but, to say the least, do not have a stout defense. Central Michigan has given up 466 points, including 70 to Clemson in an October loss.

Nor was Purdue a stone wall late in the season. In their last three games, the Boilermakers surrendered 101 points.

The fact Central Michigan is an underdog does not bode well, however. According to Docsports.com, the Chippewas have been the ‘dog in four games this season and have covered the spread only once.

North Carolina, which has won 11 games to open the season, is the current future book choice to win the 2008 NCAA basketball tournament.

According to the website Vegasinsider.com, the Tar Heels, who opened at 5-1, are now favored at 7-2 to win the title for the second time in four years under Coach Roy Williams.

UCLA, a Final Four participant each of the last two seasons, opened as the 4-1 favorite and remains at that price.

Memphis is next at 9-2, the same price at which the Tigers opened, and Kansas, which began at 8-1, is currently 7-1.

USC, which has played a very tough preseason schedule, has taken a lot of action. The Trojans, who have never won a national championship in basketball, opened at 60-1 but are now 20-1. Longshot players might want to consider Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara. The 49ers are 250-1 and the Gauchos are 500-1.

Horse racing

Santa Anita, which begins its winter-spring season today, has added a new exotic wager to its extensive menu.

The Super High Five, which is a $1 minimum bet, will be offered on the last race daily and requires a player to pick the first five finishers in order. On days where nobody is able to do so, the entire pool, minus the normal takeout, will be carried over to the next racing day. How much the new bet will handle remains to be seen.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com