(MAC) Central Michigan Preview
The Chippewas are looking to use this season to agin some ground on the likes of Northern Illinois in the MAC. It is not all that long ago that they were the top programm in the league using the running and passing of Dan Lefevour to not only win in the league but also scare the bigger programs that dot their schedule.
The latter might be a stretch this season but with a slew of returning plaayers they should be bowl eligible when the season comes to a close, maybe more.
Toledo Rockets
- Coach: Dan Enos
- 2013 Record: 6-6
- Gambling Odds to win championship: 75/1 (Field)
- Gambling Odds to win (MAC) conference: 35/1
Strengths
Continuity on offense should enable this team to improve on some less than stellar production last season. The Chippewas return 9 starters on this side of the ball including all 5 members of the offensive line. There might be a bit of a battle at the QB position between Cooper Rush and Cody Kater but either gives them a player with experence.
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Whoever ultimately gets the opportunity under center willl have the luxury of having Titus Davis split wide this season. He is considered the top pro propsect in the league and the best CMU receiver since a guy named Antonio Brown. His specialty is getting behind the defense and beating teams deep.
The defense has to be better this season and even though it does not have as many returning pieces to build around it has a solid foundation in LB Justin Cherocci and DE Blake Serpa. Cherocci has been a tackling machine ever since he set foot on campus and Serpa is enough of a presence on the edge to make the preseason All MAC team.
Weaknesses
Is there a QB controversy brewing in Mount Pleasant? Last season Kater won the job but then broke his collarbone.Rrush filled in admirably for a freshman but Kater is still around creating a potential dilemma at the position. Those kinds of situations are never good for the overall healthy of a team.
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CMU has to get better upfront on defense. They gave up way too many yards on the ground and are hoping that some extra beef in the middle will be the answer. They have two 300+ pound defensive tackles in the middle but the whole defense needs to be committed in this area to make a difference.
No matter who is at quarterbback this season they need to do a better job protecting the ball. Cooper Rush (great name) threw too many interceptions last seadson and this team is not good enough to fall behind in the turnoverr battle. They were -5 last year. If they can flip that than maybe they can improve on their over all results.
Prediction: 6-6
2014 Central Michigan Schedule:
- Aug 28 – Chatanooga
- Sep 6 – @Purdue
- Sep 13 – Syracuse
- Sep 20 – @Kansas
- Sep 27 – @Toledo
- Oct 4 – Ohio
- Oct 11 – @Northern Illinois
- Oct 18 – Ball State
- Oct 25 – @Buffalo
- Nov 1 – @Eastern Michigan
- Nov 15 – Miami (Oh)
- Nov 22 – Western Michigan
The Chippewas are looking to improve on last year’s .500 season but it is going to be tough. They actually have some softies on the non-conference schedule(Kansas and Purdue) but their league schedule has some tough road outings.
The key will be not forgetting about CMU after the middle of their schedule likley has 5 straight losses. This team should finish strong to become bowl eligible. A good spot to back these group will be at EMU.
They are still a lot better than the Eagles but might be the underdog.
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