Preview - Spartans 2009 Game 2: Central Michigan University

SpartyMSU is starting our Early look at each Spartan Game...
and how the Spartans will March to 12 - 1 in 2009

Central Michigan Chippewas
September 12, noon: in East Lansing

Mt. Pleasant is 68 miles from East Lansing, and Ann Arbor is 64 miles away…  I feel closer the Chips than I do to the arrogant asses in Ann Arbor, that’s for sure.  But, We want to beat them any less either.

CMU Chips have been to Three Straight Bowl appearances, and likely to make it a forth (unless Western Michigan has anything to say about it…)  Last December they played Florida Atlantic, in a shoot out.. a very exciting game:  24 – 21.  I think they are aching to get back and win in the post season… That’s more recent Bowl games than the Spartans… 

This game makes me a little nervous.. Not that I think the Chips will win, but that they can and will hang in there with the Spartans.  Plus they did beat the Spartans twice.. I know.. its as hard to saw as it is to read.. they beat us twice in the 90’s… The beating was ’91 and ’92.. and I’m still sore about it.

Spartans are going to be coming off a win against Montana State, CMU will have completed a game against Arizona.. Arizona is a better team than Montana State…  CMU’s learning curve in higher than the Spartans at this point in the season.

You can’t take CMU lightly.. Dan LeFevour is Pre-Season one of the Top 5 quarterbacks in the nation. This kid is getting great press.  In their Magazine, ESPN featured CMU Signal caller LeFevour with other senior quarterbacks: Max Hall (BYU), Tim Tebow (Florida), Todd Reesing (Kansas), Daryll Clark (Penn State) and Colt McCoy (Texas). Also in Phil Steele's College Football Preview 2009, LeFevour is listed as the fourth best quarterback in the nation behind McCoy, Tebow, and Sam Bradford (Oklahoma). He is the real deal…   As well as the Chips passing sensation, he was their leading rusher with 592 yrds in 2008.

All this being said.. Lets not get ahead of ourselves… Yes,  SpartyMSU likes CMU.. and Yes,  SpartyMSU thinks Michigan State will handily beat Central Michigan…

What do the Chips have going for them…  Besides Mr. Dan ?

Running Backs.. Not really… LeFevour  was the leading rusher last year…a close second was the Graduated RB O. Sneed.. CMU rushed for 1738 yrds., but passed for over twice as much at 3767, averaging 289 / game.

 But who will run the ball in 2009?.. will they rely on the QB again ?.. Probably not.  But all are relatively untested: Paris Cotton, Bryan Shroeder, Jahleel Addae, Volny, Redd.. so far (from what we can research) its anyone’s guess who will line up in the back field..

Receivers.. If LeFevour can deliver the ball, if the line gives him time, he does have a crop of decent catchers. Antonio Brown (998 yrds in 2008), Bryan Anderson, Kito Poblah, Jean Pitts.. all have decent Hands..

Now, the reasons for the Big ifs.. If  LeFevour can get the ball to the receivers, this is dependent  on the  Chips “O” line..  Unfortunately for the Chips, they graduated key players.. they lost 2 OT and the Center, plus OG Joe McMahon dropped out of school.  They have all kinds of fix ‘in up to do. Replacing them is going to be difficult this year.   Replacements include Jeff Maddux and Allen Ollenburger at the Guards who have had 27 starts between them.  Jake Olson  (Fr) and Rocky Weaver (Soph) at OT.  But after this thin group… in the depth chart behind them.. Zip.. Zot. Nada.. No one. If they have injuries.. who’s going to fill in ?  Note: Rocky was a TE until Spring.  He’s 40 Lbs lighter than most OT…

In a CMU Blog Drew Ellis wrote that (http://sunsportsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-football-season.html  ) even they are concerned: “ the big concern is at offensive line, yet the line will be anchored by two 3-year starters. Colin Miller and Jeff Maddux are reliable and senior Allen Ollenburger has playing experience to go on, but the two tackle positions, which are arguably the most important, are dominated with inexperience.”

Spartans  Anderson and Neely should be able to pressure, hurry LeFevour all day… toss in a couple blitzes, they will pass pressure all day… plus they most likely will be banged up form playing Arizona (first PAC 10 team ever).. Their scoring chances for dwindle.

Even if Dan L. get the ball out and aimed at a receiver, the Spartan secondary is a strength this year, they are more than ready to give Levour a few ints. to start the season.

Suffice it to say, the Chip front 5 is less than it was last year and that’s being very.. very kind.  And it is a BIG guess if the All Star QB will have time to deliver the Ball.. And playing against the Spartan “D”.. they don’t stand a chance, and LeFevour wont get the ball away too often…. He won’t be getting many points on the board.

Chips “D” stat: all 10 TEN tacklers are back this year….  That might be important….  The “D” line for the Chips is better off than the Offensive side of the ball.  DT Frank Zombo (6’4” – 280) and Sam Williams (6’3” – 240) helped led the Chips to a  14th in 2008 for NCAA sacks.  But they pass “D” was 118th.  Kind of Jeckle and Hyde routine…  After Zombo, there is little else for the Chips to be excited about.   MSU’s “O”-line should have no trouble protecting Nicol and Cousins and open some holes for the running game.  Note: Zombo might move to NT before the season begins… 

The Chips will probably lead the MAC.. Get to another Bowl, but won’t beat the Spartans.  Spartans have too much depth, and talent. Chips will hang in there and compete to be sure… .  But, this isn’t the early 90’s.. Spartans win.

Game Prediction:
Spartans  42
CMU Chips 24

Sparty On !!!!