College Football Predictions – Central Michigan Chippewas 2018 NCAA Football Preview
2017 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 7-6
FIRE UP CHIPS managed to grind out another decent season that included wins over Ohio and Northern Illinois. It’s hard to believe, but a (-8) turnover margin in a bowl game does not usually lead to good results, and Central Michigan sadly ended the campaign with a 37-14 loss to Wyoming.
It’s not usually good policy to underestimate the Chippewas. Let’s see if they have what it takes to be players in the MAC West this year.
2018 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #6
MAC – #11
Central Michigan Chippewas 2018 Outlook
OFFENSE
Sugar Shane Morris was inconsistent last season but he still managed to throw for well over 3,000 yards and 27 TDs. This year FIRE UP CHIPS must break in a new QB in sophomore Tony Poljan who only threw 21 passes in 2017. Poljan will be without the top four (!) receivers from last season’s team and that is a huge concern to our CENTRAL MICHIGAN INSIDERS. The offensive line returns only a pair of starters and they are just one season removed from allowing 38 sacks. We are happy to see RB Jonathan Ward return for duty as he was one of the most underrated MACTION players in 2017 (1,019 yards rushing, 10 TD, 48 receptions, 3 TD).
Central Michigan averaged 28.5 PPG last season (#5 MAC) but we think they will struggle to reach that figure in 2018.
DEFENSE
Let’s deal with the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM first. FIRE UP CHIPS will definitely miss star DL Joe Ostman (1st Team MAC) who tied for the FBS lead in sacks last season (14). They return six starters to the stop unit this year including leading tackler Malik Fountain (2nd Team MAC) and four players that had at least seven TFL in 2017. The DL adds a couple of transfers including LARGE AND IN CHARGE DL Marcus Griffin from Arizona. We worry about a secondary that only returns one starter and suffered some key departures.
Central Michigan allowed 27.5 PPG last year (#7 MAC) and we forecast a similar placement this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH.
The Chips averaged a measly 5.5 yards per punt return and PK Michael Armstrong hit just 2/6 FG from 30+ yards last year. The positive spin is that KR Jerrod Davis is back and he did a fine job in 2017 (26.6, 1 TD).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s not going to be easy to get to six wins. They have out-of-conference road dates with Kentucky and Michigan St (BODY BAG GAME) and trips to Northern Illinois and Toledo in MACTION ACTION.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Kansas (September 8). Seriously. No, we are serious. A yuuuuge game with Northern Illinois is on deck and the Jayhawks just might be a bit more trouble than you think.
Season Win Total
Over 4.5 -115
Under 4.5 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Hmm. Neutral stance for the moment. We definitely think the Chips are in for a tough year BUT the win total seems a bit low.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Central Michigan is one of just six FBS teams to boast a #1 pick in BOTH the NFL draft (OL Eric Fisher) and CFL draft (WR Mark Chapman). SHOCK the WORLD at your next MEANINGLESS OFFICE MEETING with that beauty.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the CHIPPEWAS a 3.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season.
This feels like a season to reload. The offense does not appear to be explosive enough to win games on their own, and that means that the defense will have to perform significantly above expectations in order to allow FIRE UP CHIPS to make a bowl game. A division crown seems out of the cards. Then again, these guys are tougher than twelve year-old beef jerky so you can never count them out. Just use caution when backing them vs the point spread.
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/
TWITTER
Hashtag – #FireUpChips
Accounts to follow