2-a-Days: Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan

Central Michigan Chippewas



It's not like that went all according to plan. CMU was dealt a tough non-conference schedule, but they got pounded by each and every team (losing by an average score of 52.75 to 14.25 against Kansas, Purdue, North Dakota State, and Clemson). They did however manage to become the class of a weaker-than-usual MAC conference. What are the chances Central wins the MAC for the third year in a row, cementing their place as a MAC dynasty?


THE OFFENSE: It's not like the offense was the problem. Central Michigan torched most of the MAC on a regular basis averaging about 34 points per game. Led by Dan LeFevour, this is a balanced attack and that comes on the shoulders of LeFevour. This guy can run, pass, and make very smart decisions operating this spread offense. He was the second player (Vince Young) to throw for 3,000 yards and run for another 1,000 in the game's history, a very impressive total, and that was just as a sophomore. The junior should explode with an even more potent season. Ontario Sneed should carry the load of the running game whenever it is that he gets healthy, he should be by the season opener. Of course, don't forget about Carl Volny or Justin Hoskins, either. Volny comes in as the breath of fresh air and the pleasant surprise of the spring, but Hoskins has been a steady piece of this offense ever since transferring from Notre Dame. Central Michigan does have one of the deeper stables of RBs in the Mid-America Conference. Oh, right, Marcel Archer is pretty good as well. Bryan Anderson and Dan LeFevour have hooked up many times and they've been growing together as a pass-catch combo over the last couple seasons. Antonio Brown is also a legitimate deep threat. Andrew Hartline anchors the Chips' offensive line and should be an All-MAC candidate. The other side sports Greg Wojt who has done a solid job over the last few years. If you get the picture, this could be the MAC's best offense, but I guess Ball State may have something to say about that.


THE DEFENSE: Yikes! For all of the good things I mentioned about this team offensively, the defense is really what did them in. If the Chippewas could have gotten a lick of defensive help, we could have been talking about a 9-win regular season team. CMU's run defense was at least respectable, but that could have been because everybody was throwing on it. The pass defense was 118th in the nation, second-to-last. Frank Zombo did a good job of defending last year at DE. The now-junior should be the best defensive athlete on the team. The defensive line is pretty pedestrian and won't wow anybody. Sophomore LB Nick Bellore had a fantastic season emerging as one of the best players on the Chippewa roster. He finished 07 with 102 tackles and has tremendous potential. Calvin Hissong might see some time in the rotation switching to the LB position from a safety. This move boggles my mind because the Chips need all of the help they can get in the secondary. Moving on to that defensive backfield, it'll be up to Josh Gordy to make sure that the secondary defenders don't get absolutely torched. He's a solid player, but he doesn't have much help surrounding him.


THE SCHEDULE:

Aug. 28 Eastern Illinois
Sept. 6 at Georgia
Sept. 13 at Ohio
Sept. 20 at Purdue
Sept. 27 Buffalo
Oct. 11 Temple
Oct. 18 Western Michigan
Oct. 25 at Toledo
Nov. 1 at Indiana
Nov. 12 Northern Illinois
Nov. 19 Ball State
Nov. 28 at Eastern Michigan

The non-conference schedule this year isn't as bad as it was in 2007, opening up with Eastern Illinois. I wouldn't expect a letdown of North Dakota State proportions, but if they can get a solid victory under their belts to open things up, it will help down the road. There are pretty tough games with Georgia and Purdue, but they should give Indiana a really good go. The MAC schedule sets up perfectly with Temple, Western Michigan, and Ball State at home.

Don't Even Think About It: @ Georgia
Ehhhhh.....Maybe....: @ Purdue
Good/Probable Shot At It: Eastern Illinois, @ Ohio, Buffalo, Temple, Western Michigan, @ Toledo, @ Indiana, Northern Illinois, Ball State, @ Eastern Michigan


THE OUTLOOK: Look for the Chips to finish 8-4. They are favored to win the MAC West, and rightly so, might I add. Based on the last two performances in previous seasons, it makes sense. But I'm giving Ball State the nod when it comes to this division. The Chippewas have a somewhat favorable schedule and would win the MAC East relatively easily, but their defense won't get much better if at all. The offense will still be worth the price of admission, but there will be a few unecessary shootouts.


BOWL GAME?: Motor City Bowl (not as MAC champions).











Eastern Michigan Eagles



The Eagles may have something going on. They've had some exceptional talents pass through Ypsilanti over the past few years, but there hasn't been enough of that exceptional talent to string together a winning season. Jeff Genyk is sort of on the hot seat right now, but there aren't a whole lot of rumblings coming from Eastern to suggest that he'll get fired if the team doesn't produce immediately. How will the Eagles compete in a stacked MAC West?


THE OFFENSE: Andy Schmitt is the focus of the offense. He could become one of the MAC's brightest stars if he continues his development as a passer. He's a smart guy in the pocket and knows what do in a lot of situations. Not only can he throw well, he knows how to use his legs averaging 25 yards a game on the ground. Terrence Blevins should be the leader of the ground attack, but Genyk is still searching for the best option to replace Pierre Walker. Blevins is a big-bodied, strong runner who also has a burst of speed to spare. He's a senior now, but Dwayne Priest could steal the starting RB job if he doesn't produce. Jacory Stone will come through as the team's top target. He was last year and there's a good deal of praise coming out of Eastern Michigan camp. DeAnthony White, also a junior, really had a great season as well and was a nice surprise for the offense. T.J. Lang and Andy Fretz are the leaders for the offensive line and they provide Eastern Michigan with a nice foundation to build around. There's solid depth at this area, so Genyk does have something to work with as the Eagle O-line was 24th in sacks allowed this past season.


THE DEFENSE: It wasn't a particularly good unit, but they did do a decent job at times coming up with some decent stops to keep the team in ballgames. They were 90th in total defense, so there's some room to get better, but it'll be tough without the interior presence of Jason Jones. Trying his best to emulate his playing was Josh Hunt, who was always a pretty good partner-in-crime to Jones, but now he's the main man at DT. He is an underrated player who has done a good job, but he doesn't have Jones to take away pressure now. Daniel Holtzclaw will be starting for about his 19th season in the Eastern Michigan program. He's a mainstay in Ypsi now and one of the best players to ever pass through Eastern. He racks up tackles with the best of them and should have another great year. Jermaine Jenkins should have a decent season along Holtzclaw and adds some veteran playmaking abilities to the position. The pass defense isn't exactly what you would call great, but the safeties are solid with Jacob Wyatt and Ryan Downard. CB is not one of this team's strengths.


THE SCHEDULE:

Aug. 28 Indiana State
Sept. 6 at Michigan State
Sept. 13 Toledo
Sept. 20 at Maryland
Sept. 27 Northern Illinois
Oct. 4 at Bowling Green
Oct. 11 at Army
Oct. 18 Akron
Oct. 25 at Ball State
Nov. 1 at Western Michigan
Nov. 22 at Temple
Nov. 28 Central Michigan

I thought it was odd that the team gets back-to-back off weeks between Western Michigan and Temple, but the schedule isn't horrible. Their draw from the East includes Bowling Green, Akron, and Temple. They face Central Michigan at home whom they've had success against, and they get Army and Indiana State in the OOC slate.

Don't Even Think About It: @ Michigan State, @ Maryland
Ehhhhh......Maybe....: Toledo, @ Bowling Green, @ Ball State, @ Western Michigan, Central Michigan
Good/Probable Shot At It: Indiana State, Northern Illinois, @ Army, Akron, @ Temple


THE OUTLOOK: Eastern Michigan won't be bowling, but, and I know it sounds like this is said every year, there will be significant steps taken towards next season. If Genyk doesn't produce at least a 6-6 record in 2009, he will most likely be canned. As long as Eastern Michigan doesn't go 2-10 this year, Genyk should be back. The offense has the ability to become more potent with Schmitt and a solid offensive line to work around. While the defense will be far from special, there's the potential that they'll be good enough to win a few games. Look for a 4-8 record and Genyk makes it one more year.


BOWL GAME?: Nope.