College Football Predictions – Central Michigan Chippewas 2020 College Football Preview
July 17, 2020 (original post)
October 12 UPDATE: QB David Moore eligible to play week one; TE T Poljan gone; starting OL L Goedke OFY.
2019 Recap
Record – 8-6
ATS – 9-4-1
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE.
Congrats to FIRE UP CHIPS who went from a one-win season (!) to a MAC West title in year one of the Jim McElwain experiment. Once the calendar flipped to October they went on an epic HEATER winning six of seven games, and they scored 38 or more points in each of those six victories. They were stopped cold by a scrappy Miami Ohio squad in the MAC Championship Game and then got POLEAXED by San Diego St in the New Mexico Bowl. All in all, a very nice season for Central Michigan.
Do they have what it takes to go back-to-back? Let’s dig in.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – TBD
MAC – TBD
Central Michigan 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Chips success on offense was largely attributable to their balanced attack. They were #2 in the MAC in passing offense (252 YPG) but were also able to utilize the ground game where necessary (181 YPG, #7 MAC). The big question this year is how to replace the effective play and leadership of Quinten Dormady. Back-up David Moore is suspended for the first five games and should be in the mix for the starting gig when he returns. Until then? It will be someone with almost no experience leading the charge in freshman Daniel Richardson or sophomore George Pearson. Central Michigan had a PAIR (!) of 1,000-yard rushers a season ago. Jonathan Ward is off to the NFL (Cardinals) but Kobe Lewis is back to lead the way on the ground (1,074, 5.9, 12 TD, 23 receptions LY). The best news is the LOADED WR group that is the best in the MAC. Their top-three top receivers all return (Kalil Pimpleton, JaCorey Sullivan, Tyrone Scott) and those men totaled 176 receptions, 2,352 yards, and 14 TDs LY. THE HITS KEEP COMING when you consider that TE Tony Poljan is back and he’s one of the best at his position in the MAC (33, 496, 15.0, 4 TD LY). The offensive line is a bit of concern after losing a pair of excellent players and they return just two starters to the mix.
FIRE UP CHIPS look great at the skill positions but QB is a major concern.
DEFENSE
Central Michigan boasted the #2 total defense in the MAC (363 YPG) and backstopped a really strong season for the team. They were rock solid vs the run (#2 MAC, #24 FBS) but had their problems vs the pass (#10 MAC pass defense, 25 TD passes allowed – 2nd worst MAC). Things look promising this year with the return of eight starters and solid performers at each level of the defense. The DL is one of the best in the MAC and features DE LaQuan Johnson who was 2nd on the squad in sacks LY (6). Three starters return to the front. LB Troy Brown led the team in tackles LY (also 3 INT) and is one of the best in the MAC, and note that the secondary returns every starter from a season ago. You want PENETRATION? The Chips were #1 in the MAC LY in TFL/game and #4 in sacks (30).
With so many key pieces coming back this looks like a top-notch MAC defense once again.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK could be a problem. Ryan Tice was mediocre last year and it’s unclear who will take care of FG attempts as we head to press. P Brady Buell is back (meh). PR Kalil Pimpleton and KR Kobe Lewis are both very good at their jobs.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The updated plandemic schedule has the Chips playing every other team in the MAC West and they draw Ohio (!) from the MAC East.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Ball St (Dec 5)
This game follows their two big rivalry games (W Michigan, at Eastern Michigan) and comes just before a yuuuuge season-ender with Toledo.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Central Michigan has dropped five consecutive bowl games and the last three losses have come by a combined score of 140-35.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
There’s no reason why these guys can’t contend for the MAC Championship once again. The only question (and it’s yuuuuuge) is the QB position and we can only hope that David Moore does indeed return in early October. That’s their most important month given that they deal with several division rivals. The defense is rock solid and they are well coached.
#FireUpChips!
Want more Central Michigan football ?
WEBSITE
https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/central-michigan/Board/KellyShorts-Stadium-104028/
NEWS
https://www.themorningsun.com/sports/college/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2117/central-michigan-chippewas
TWITTER
Hashtag – #FireUpChips
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