The Central Michigan Chippewas have been stuck in mediocrity the last two year and the pressure is building on head coach Dan Enos, who is just 19-30 in 4 years at CMU. He better produce this year as they have 19 starters back and have been rated as the 4th most experienced team in the nation. Preview & schedule are below.
The Chippewas were expected to have one of the best offenses in the league last year, but injuries took those chances away and they ended up averaging just 23.3 ppg. This year they have QB Cooper Rush back after being thrust in as a starter after Alex Niznak went down with injury He was inconsistent when in there, throwing for 15 TDs and 15 INTs last year. Rush will have back Titus Davis, who may be the best WR in the MAC after grabbing 61 balls for 1109 yards and 8 TD’s last year. He could have an even bigger year, especially with Rush having a year under his belt. Courtney Williams and Andrew Flory complete a solid trio of WRs for this team. Saylor Lavallii is back at RB to spearhead a very average ground attack, after he rushed for 807 yards and 5 TDs last year. Not much depth in this group, but he will be running behind and OL that is very solid, with 9o career starts returning. The Chippewas had good and bad days on defense last year, unfortunately their bad days were really bad as they allowed 43 ppg in their 6 losses, compared to allowing just 14.2 ppg in their 6 wins. This year they 8 starters back on this side of the ball and overall should be an improved group. Justin Cherocci is back after leading the team in tackles last year with 121, which include 4 sacks and 5.5 more TFL. He helps to form a solid LB corps, even though they lost Benton, who had 111 tackles, 2 sacks and 8.5 TFL last year. The line has 3 of 4 starters back, including Letrrrius Walton, who had 1 sack and 8.5 TFL last year, while the secondary is very athletic and deep and may be the best unit on this defense.
The Chippewas are one of the most experienced teams in the nation this year and it should make them a dangerous team in the MAC. Their offense needs another WR to step up, but still they should at least top 28 ppg this year. The defense looks to be vastly improved and should not allow 43 ppg in their losses again this year. Overall I would expect them to allow 24 ppg or less. The Chips get Ohio/ Ball State, Miami and W. Michigan at home, while road games vs Toledo, Northern Illinois and Buffalo will be challenging. Still this is a team that has the talent to win 7 or 8 games vs the schedule and they may just challenge Northern Illinois and Toledo in the MAC West. KEY TREND: 15-2-2 ATS as conference favorites of less than 7.
2014 Central Michigan Football Schedule
Aug. 28 Chattanooga
Sep. 6 at Purdue
Sep. 13 Syracuse
Sep. 20 at Kansas
Sep. 27 at Toledo
Oct. 4 Ohio
Oct. 11 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 18 Ball State
Oct. 25 at Buffalo
Nov. 1 at Eastern Michigan
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 15 Miami Univ.
Nov. 22 Western Michigan
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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