College Football Predictions – Central Michigan Chippewas 2019 College Football Preview
2018 Recap
Record – 1-11
ATS – 5-7
Well, that was ugly.
The Chips booked just their second losing record since 2011 and they did it in style. They won a single game all year and that was a 17-5 thriller vs Maine. The team was inexperienced and struggled mightily at the quarterback position.
They turn to Jim McElwain to lead the program and hopefully things won’t take too long to get back in order. What can we expect out of the Chippewas this year?
2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #6
MAC – #10
Central Michigan 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
There’s a PRO TIP that most people are aware of, and it goes something like this; Don’t look directly at the sun or you might damage your eyes. Well, the same could have been said about watching the Chips play offense last year, as they only managed to score 15.0 PPG (#128 FBS).
The QB play promises to be a lot better this year, but it’s unclear who will grab the starting gig as we approach press time. Tennessee transfer Quinten Dormady is the favorite to start under center in week one but we’ll have to see how things go during fall camp. Our MAC INSIDERS don’t believe there is a #1 RB on the roster but at least they have depth. Their top-three rushers from a season ago are all back for duty. The WR corps looks like a BLACK HOLE and former QB Tony Poljan is projected to be the Chips’ starting TE. The best news might be that the OL returns four starters, although they did allow an UNSEEMLY 37 sacks in 2018. Hopefully the transfers from Power 5 schools (Michigan, Iowa St) will pay dividends.
The Chips will take a step forward with better QB play and improved coaching but they still appear to be one of the weaker offenses in the conference.
DEFENSE
Central Michigan has been playing good defense over the past number of years and have allowed fewer than 30 PPG in five of the last six campaigns (27.3 PPG LY). Things look grim heading into this season as they only return three (!) starters and two of their top-nine tacklers. Among the departures are star LB Malik Fountain who led the MAC in tackles a season ago (155) and ace DE Mike Danna who transferred to Michigan (9.5 sacks LY). THE HITS KEEP COMING! Not many folks realize that the Chips had a pair of excellent CBs on last year’s squad that were both taken in the NFL draft.
It seems like a waste of time to analyze things in too much detail as so many new faces are slated for starting roles. There’s only one returning starter in the front seven and the sack total is sure to plummet (28 LY). It feels like DESTINY that the Chips will allow more than 30 PPG in 2019.
SPECIAL TEAMS
We have good news to report! You know we love ourselves some robot FG kickers and the Chippewas have a beauty in Ryan Tice who connected on 14/15 FG attempts last year including an impressive 7/8 from 40+ yards. They need to work in a new punter and they could use more explosiveness in the return game.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The out-of conference docket has two guaranteed BLOODBATHS (at Wisconsin, at Miami) but also sports a couple of nice opportunities (Albany, New Mexico St).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Miami (September 21)
The next two games on the schedule are the two biggest of the year (at Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan). If they have any sense whatsoever they will take their beating (and $$ for playing the game) and move on to MACTION.
Season Win Total
Over 4 +120
Under 4 -140
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean to the under. It’s hard to imagine them getting to five wins, even if they punch both of the out-of-conference FREE SQUARES.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Central Michigan’s legendary head coach “Wild” Bill Kelly (Kenneth Kelly) won seven conference championships during his 16-year tenure from 1951-1966. Now you know how their home field got it’s name (Kelly-Shorts Stadium). Where does the “Shorts” come from you ask? The stadium was originally named Perry Shorts Stadium in honor of R. Perry Shorts who was a generous donor to the program. Amaze your BACKSTABBING BOSS with those trivia bombs.
MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Negative
This should be interesting. The QB situation is an unknown and the defense looks like it may plummet into the depths of the MAC. We have faith that HC McElwain can get these guys to be competitive, but it’s probably too much to ask it for to happen in year one.
Central Michigan has been a 50-50 proposition ATS over the past ten years but we are going to stay clear for the foreseeable future.
We wish them luck. FIRE UP CHIPS!
Want more Central Michigan football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.cmuchippewas.com/sports/m-footbl/cmu-m-footbl-body.html
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/central-michigan/Board/KellyShorts-Stadium-104028/
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2117/central-michigan-chippewas
http://bleacherreport.com/central-michigan-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/central-michigan-chippewas
https://www.themorningsun.com/sports/college/
TWITTER
Hashtag – #FireUpChips
Accounts to follow