2009 NCAA - Central Michigan
The Chippewas have played in three straight Motor City Bowls, led the league in attendance last fall, and Butch Jones again assembled what most are calling the top MAC recruiting class again. The 'x-factor' to get the Chippewas back to the top of the MAC in 2009, though, is all-MAC QB Dan LeFevour. The senior completed 69 percent of his passes with a 21-to-6 TD/int ratio last season and is in select company (with Tim Tebow) as the only quarterbacks in college football history to run and throw for 2,000 yards in one season. LeFevour has thrown for 9,467 yards and 74 touchdowns in his career, and ran for 2,235 yards and 32 more touchdowns. Jones wants a RB to emerge to take some of the pressure off his fifth-year quarterback. The receiving corps is the best in the MAC, and three starters return on the O-line. |
 |
Central Michigan
- Season wins over/under prediction
- Team Power ranking
- Recruiting
- Team Preview
- FREE $$$ BONUSES
Get your FREE copy NOW!
|
Ten starters return from a defense that should improve. It led the MAC in sacks, yet still placed second-to-last in major college football in passing yards allowed in 2008 - an odd stat until you think that sacks count as rushing yards lost in the stats in college. Still, the secondary was repeatedly torched against a QB with a pulse. The linebackers all return, but for a team that yielded 32 ppg last year, that might not be a good thing. What could put CMU over the top is its impressive special teams, as the Chips boast the leading punt returner in America and two veteran, solid kickers. |
| ASK the bookie? - Pray that the key components stay healthy in the first two weeks when Central visits Arizona and Michigan State. Another tough non-conference game is later, when the Chippewas visit Boston College. That game would be much better to get in September, before BC gets acclimated to its new coaches and systems. The Chips get key conference games on the road, as well, as they will play at Western Michigan and Ball State in two contests that could determine their post-season fate. CMU plays seven road games, and all of those teams were bowl-eligible last fall. That might make it tough for the Chips to reclaim the West. |
|
 |
REQUEST YOUR COPY - FREE
get your 2009 NCAA Football Preview Guide. |
|