(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Welcome MAC fans one and all! Today, it is my distinct pleasure to continue previewing the 2009 Mid-American Conference Football season with a look inside the Chippewas of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. It should be known that my parents are alumni of CMU and I will be a senior Chippewa very soon.
That being said, the following is an unbiased look inside the Chippewas locker room.
2008 Record: 6-2 MAC (8-5 overall)
Key Losses:
- WR Joe Bockheim
- RB Ontario Sneed
- OT Andrew Hartline
- OT Greg Wojt
2009 Key Games:
- Eastern Michigan (Home, Oct. 10)
- Western Michigan (Away, Oct. 17)
- Ball State (Away, Nov. 18)
Analysis:
Much of the 2008 CMU Chippewas team will be returning for 2009, especially on offense. Highly-touted quarterback Dan LeFevour and his receiving corps consisting of the big Bryan Anderson and speedy Antonio Brown are back and ready to rack up the yards. Kito Poblah is also returning to play receiver, providing LeFevour with a nice third-read option.
Experienced running backs are missing from the roster though. Ontario Sneed and Justin Hoskins have moved on to bigger and better things, leaving three freshman and two sophomores to fight for the starting job. Sophomore Cotton Paris will likely get the job.
The CMU defense was just plain horrible in 2008, ranking 118th out of 119 Division I Football programs. Unfortunately for Chippewa fans, this trend should continue. Much of the 2008 starting defense is returning in 2009, including the poor secondary. Fortunately, Central Michigan's good pass rush is also coming back in '09.
Bottom Line:
A solid pass rush is no good unless the secondary can keep the ball in front of them. Look for an explosive offense and mediocre defense again this year from Central Michigan.
Predicted 2009 Record: 7-1 MAC (8-4 overall)
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