2014
Central Michigan
College Football
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Odds and Schedule
Central Michigan continues to churn out mediocre seasons under head coach Dan Enos, who is now in his fifth season with the team. If the Chippewas can figure out their problem at quarterback, this is a team that could feature in a bowl Game.
Sophomore Cooper Rush is the returning starter at QB, but he only got that position after the opening Game starter Cody Kater busted his collarbone after only six pass attempts. The two will battle it out in the fall, and hopefully before the season, the Chips will have their guy. Rush wasn’t bad as a freshman, but his 15 TDs and 15 INTs could’ve been better. Whoever does get the job will have probably the best receiver in the Conference to work with in Titus Davis (61 receptions, 1,109 yards, 8 TDs). The stud WR could’ve left early and been drafted into the NFL last year, but decided to stay.
The rushing Game could also improve with all five starters returning on the offensive line. That seems to be an area CMU is always known for. Running back Saylor LAvalli (807 yards) will get carries right out of the gate and has plenty of experience from last season.
This group only scored 23.3 points per Game last year, but could see that number increase with a little more work.
The Chips lose a couple big names on the defensive side, but still return six starters from last year’s mildly successive unit. Senior linebacker Justin Cherocci is a complete beast and has 253 tackles in the past two seasons. The secondary got beat often last year, but have enough experience back there that they should be fairly improved. Getting to the QB is still an issue for the line though and Louis Palmer will need to step up on the end.
The Schedule isn’t all that kind for the Chippewas, but a lot of MAC teams are dealing with new QBs and they could fight with the top teams in the West. That’s something CMU has struggled with in the past few years, staying competitive against good teams.
Central Michigan will have a big home non-Conference Game facing Syracuse and will have to at least keep that Game within striking distance. It’d be nice if they could grab a road win against weaker big Conference teams in Purdue and Kansas.
In MAC play, road Games at Toledo, Northern Illinois and Buffalo will be tough and could prevent them from reaching a bowl Game again even with seven wins. Once again, the Chippewas will finish in the six- or seven-win range unless the offense breaks loose. If whoever wins the QB battle can find consistency with his playmakers, a bowl Game is possible.
Check out 5 dimes sportsbook for the latest MAC odds for the 2014 season.
2014 Central Michigan Football Schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Chattanooga
Sept. 6 at Purdue
Sept. 13 vs. Syracuse
Sept. 20 at Kansas
Sept. 27 at Toledo
Oct. 4 vs. Ohio
Oct. 11 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 18 vs. Ball State
Oct. 25 at Buffalo
Nov. 1 at Eastern Michigan
Nov. 15 vs. Miami (OH)
Nov. 22 vs. Western Michigan