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MAC Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas
By Nick Gerogosian | July 22, 2008
Coach: Butch Jones, 2nd season (8-6)
2007 Record (MAC): 8-6 (6-1) Lost 51-48 to Purdue in the Motor City Bowl
Dan LeFevour (left, Icon SMI) is just one of two D-IA (FBS) college QBs to ever rush for over 1,000 yards and pass for over 3,000 in one season. Perhaps that’s why the junior signal caller was voted the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007. LeFevour is the architect to the MAC’s top scoring team last season and the ‘Chip scoreboard will be lighting up again this fall. Behind him is senior Brian Brunner, quite possibly the best backup QB in the league. LeFevour is a top-3 QB for fantasy purposes nationally, along with Ball State’s Nate Davis and Florida’s Tim Tebow.
At runningback, Notre Dame transfer Justin Hoskins and proven veteran Ontario Sneed continue to produce. Toss in Marcel Archer and Carl Volny and CMU is one of the MAC’s most productive rushing teams. It’s difficult to pick just one player for fantasy owners but as a unit, this is deepest and most talented set of RBs in the MAC.
For wideouts, CMU has the best one-two punch anywhere with Bryan Anderson (90 receptions and 10 TDs in ‘07) and Antonio Brown (102 catches, and 6 TDs). Each had 1,000-yard seasons. Look for Kito Pblah to have a bigger role this season. TE Rocky Weaver may be more a part of the offense this season.
Andrew Aguilla is a solid PK and the ‘Chips do have some weapons on special teams. .
A very weak defense last year (111th in scoring defense and 109th in total defense) graduated two outstanding LBs. Red Keith was a fixture for the ‘Chips and led the team in tackles four straight seasons including a career high of 148 last year. Also gone from the LB corps is Ike Brown who had a 106 tackles last season including 10 tackles for loss. Add to the defensive losses D-lineman Steven Friend, a 3rd team all-MAC pick a year ago. This year’s projected starting defensive line may be the smallest in DI-A (FBS) as they average just 6-2, 255 per man. That will not cut it against the SEC and Big Ten teams they will face this season. Add this nugget above to the porous pass defense; opponents completed over 65% of their passes against the ‘Chips in 2007.
Notes:
Central Michigan is looking for the rare “MAC 3-peat,” something that hasn’t been done since Marshall turned the trick in the late 1990s. The ‘Chips return the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year in Dan LeFevour along with eight starters from the league’s most high flying offense (average 35-points per game in 2007). From a fantasy point of view, LeFevour and several wideouts should be ‘must-haves’ while there is tremendous potential on other offensive players. Stay away from the defense though. From a win/loss standpoint, CMU will post another winning season and may earn one of the MAC’s contractual bowl bids for the third straight year.
Topics: College Football, MAC, Nick Gerogosian, Preview |
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