College Football Predictions – Central Michigan Chippewas 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 6-7
2016 ATS – 5-8
Fire up Chips !
Central Michigan finished up another season with 6+ wins and some victories over pretty good competition. Sure, the Oklahoma St finish was just a bit sketchy, but they did outgain the Cowboys significantly. Beating Ohio and Northern Illinois was nice. Sadly, they lost their bowl game for the 3rd consecutive season, but on the bright side it was a 57248 STAR MEGALOCKS BOWL STEAMER SPECIAL. Are they dangerous enough this year to threaten for the MAC West crown ? Let’s find out.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
MAC – TBD
West Division – TBD
OFFENSE
QB Cooper Rush had too many interceptions last season but he threw for over 3,500 yards and kept the Chips in almost every game. This season they will have a new man under center and that will probably be Michigan transfer Shane Morris. MEGALOCKS MAC INSIDERS will keep a close eye on the situation during the remainder of fall camp. Information coming out of practice has been very HUSH HUSH so far.
The WR group is one of the best in the MAC and it includes 2nd Team MAC performer Corey Willis (72, 1091, 9 TD). There is more good news. The running game should be much improved with an offensive line that brings back 5/5 (!) starters and a legit #1 RB in Devon Spalding. They recently lost TE Tyler Conklin to an ankle injury and there is no timetable for his return. Despite the inexperience at QB this feels like a pretty good offense.
DEFENSE
Central Michigan allowed 30 points per game last year and finished T8th in scoring defense in the MAC. They did not do anything particularly well but were very scrappy and finished 3rd in the conference in opponent red zone conversion percentage. This year the Chips bring back six starters and have some very nice pieces. DE Joe Ostman was a 2nd Team MAC performer and tallied 9 sacks and 13.5 TFL last year. MLB Malik Fountain led the team in tackles (1st Team MAC) and CB Amari Coleman had 4 INT and 15 PBU (1st Team MAC). We think this defense is going to take a step forward in 2017.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Chips will introduce a new PK this season but that should be a good thing. They were horrendous on FG attempts in 2016. The return units need to get better.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
September 30 – at Boston College. This game pops up in a MAC sandwich (Miami Ohio, Ohio) and playing the Eagles means 60 minutes of pounding.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Chips last won the MAC in 2009. The coach ? Your pal, BUTCH JONES.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 8.5
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the CHIPPEWAS a 8.5 ATS Value Rating (Excellent) this season.
Most of the pieces are in place for a good season. We think the QB play will be the deciding factor in terms of whether or not they contend for the MAC West title. The offensive line is experienced and the offense will be better with more balance. The defense will be improved as well. We do worry about the schedule as they have seven road games many of which are a bit nasty.
HC John Bonamego is 13-13 so far in his time at Central Michigan. They had a down year ATS in 2016 but we feel this team could be a sneaky money-maker despite a demanding schedule.
Want more Central Michigan football ?
Website
http://www.cmuchippewas.com/sports/m-footbl/cmu-m-footbl-body.html
Forum
Free
http://scout.com/college/central-michigan/Board/KellyShorts-Stadium-104028
News
http://bleacherreport.com/central-michigan-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/central-michigan-chippewas
http://www.themorningsun.com/cmu-chippewas
http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/
Hashtag – #FireUpChips
Accounts
https://twitter.com/CMU_Football @CMU_Football