2015 Quick Lane Bowl: Preview, Predictions for Central Michigan vs. Minnesota
The Central Michigan Chippewas and Minnesota Golden Gophers will square off in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit.
Though the game was slated to feature an ACC team, Central Michigan (7-5, 6-2 MAC) will help fill the league's lack of bowl-eligible teams and represent the Mid-American Conference.
Minnesota (5-7, 2-6 Big Ten) will appear in postseason play for the fourth consecutive season, but the program hasn't won a bowl game since 2004. The Gophers beat CMU 30-10 in 1987 during the only meeting between the schools.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 28. ESPN2 will broadcast the clash.
Keys to Victory for Central Michigan
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Don't Let a Cooper Rush Mistake Hurt
While Cooper Rush hasn't thrown more than one interception in any game this season, opponents have picked him off in 10 of 12 games.
That trend suggests he'll make at least one ill-fated pass, which is a reasonable expectation anyway. But Central Michigan needs Rush to avoid the killer mistake, lest the Gophers score a cheap touchdown.
Fortunately for the Chips, Minnesota has regularly failed to capitalize on takeaways. The team has managed just 37 points on 17 turnovers, which includes two pick-sixes.
Rush will probably cede possession once or twice. CMU can't afford to let that hurt.
Eliminate Mitch Leidner's Running Ability
Mitch Leidner isn't a focal point of the Minnesota offense, but the Gophers are more likely to compete when he has success on the ground.
During seven losses, the junior quarterback managed just 12.7 yards per game. That even included 30-plus-yard days against Top 15 schools in Michigan and Iowa. However, Leidner averaged 32.4 throughout the program's five victories.
He's not a terrific passer, so Central's idea game plan is turning Minnesota into a one-dimensional, backfield-driven offense.
Keys to Victory for Minnesota
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Establish a Productive Balance
The Minnesota offense lacks an elite difference-maker. Shannon Brooks, Rodney Smith and KJ Maye are decent weapons, but they're not particularly explosive on a regular basis.
Central's 16th-ranked defense will provide yet another test for the Gophers, who average just 22.6 points per game.
Although Leidner has progressed nicely in 2015, again, he's not a game-changing quarterback. Minnesota needs Leidner to be productive while keeping the pressure off him with a strong running game.
Win the Money Down
One of the biggest differences between a win and loss for the Gophers is third-down success—or lack thereof—defensively.
Minnesota has allowed 33.7 percent to be converted during its victories, while opponents have gained the necessary yardage 47.3 percent of the time in losses.
Central Michigan, on the other hand, sports a respectable 43.6 clip that is relatively consistent no matter the split.
"Get 'em off the field" may not be easy, but that's exactly what the Gophers need to do.
Players to Watch for Central Michigan
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Jesse Kroll, Wide Receiver
Rush's favorite target is senior wideout Jesse Kroll, who leads CMU with 59 receptions and 856 yards. Kroll has snagged at least five catches in eight games and topped the 100-yard barrier three times.
But he's not a model of consistency.
In the four outings Kroll didn't tally at least five receptions, he only managed 2.3 catches for 22 yards and one total touchdown.
Which Kroll will show up? We all can recognize which one the Chippewas need.
Kavon Frazier, Safety
The second-team All-MAC safety was a busy man during the 2015 regular season, and Kavon Frazier will be an active piece against Minnesota.
He's registered a CMU-best 103 tackles, adding four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Frazier has even blocked a punt.
Although Minnesota's offense is among the nation's worst at creating explosive plays, Frazier is the last line of defense. If he gets caught out of position, the Gophers will break their ugly trend.
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Players to Watch for Minnesota
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KJ Maye, Wide Receiver
Yes, Minnesota lacks a big-time playmaker, but Maye offers the closest resemblance.
The senior entered his final college year with 34 catches, 417 yards and one touchdown in his career. This season, Maye has notched 65 receptions for 706 yards and four scores.
Most importantly—even though the team lost each one—Maye's best performances of the year came against Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska.
He has regularly helped the Gophers stay in the game on the scoreboard. Perhaps Maye's final college appearance will be the one where he pushes them to a win.
Eric Murray, Cornerback
Briean Boddy-Calhoun may be the wider-known name, but Eric Murray could be the better NFL prospect.
Quarterbacks rarely test the senior, so his stats aren't particularly flashy. He's registered 64 total tackles, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one interception. But make no mistake—opponents know exactly where Murray is at all times.
Central will probably cycle Kroll, Anthony Rice and others through the Murray gauntlet looking for the best matchup. However, there's no guarantee the Chips will find it.
What They're Saying
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Central Michigan
Last year, CMU traveled to the Bahamas for its postseason appearance. A warm venue was a reasonable preference, but Taylor DesOrmeau of Central Michigan Life noted Frazier said he'll take any bowl game as a blessing.
"Everybody doesn't get to play in three bowl games out of their four-year career, so it's just a blessing to go to a bowl game," Frazier said. "There's always some favorites that we have, like we want to go somewhere warm, but really anywhere we go is just a blessing."
Minnesota
Since the Gophers finished 5-7, the school had to decide if it wanted to apply for a waiver to receive a bowl bid. According to Joe Christensen of the Star-Tribune, the extra practice time appealed to Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys:
"If you were a veteran team and had a bunch of veteran kids coming back, you'd go, 'Well, talk about it.' But the situation we are in, with how many young kids we have coming back and how many young kids we redshirted in the offensive line and in secondary and all that, I think it would be a big help.
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Prediction
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In 2014, Central Michigan scored 34 straight points in the fourth quarter—including a ridiculous 75-yard, three-lateral touchdown as time expired—before missing the two-point conversion and falling 49-48 to Western Kentucky.
The Chips won't need the heroics this year.
Murray grabs an interception, but Rush throws three touchdowns and leads the program to its third bowl victory in the last four tries. Minnesota's limited offense dooms the team during a comeback attempt.
Central finishes the season 8-5, while the Gophers end an emotional year at 5-8.
Prediction: Central Michigan 27, Minnesota 20
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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