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2009 Central Michigan NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

cmu 61609 While Central Michigan played second fiddle to Ball State in the MAC West last season, it still managed to notch its third straight bowl appearance. Another bowl this season means MAC history. Find out if the Chippewas can make it happen in this 2009 college football betting preview. Take advantage of our special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

Offense – The Chippewas averaged 29.5 points per game last season (38th in the nation) and there’s no doubt that they will once against put a quality offense on the field. But this unit has a chance to be great if it can find a ground game other than quarterback Dan LeFevour. LeFevour is the star of the offense, passing for 2,794 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushing for 592 yards and six more touchdowns, but he could use some help. Defenses key on him and they look to lay the wood on him every time he runs the football. The team is counting on the running back duo of Bryan Schroeder and Paris Cotton to take some of the pressure off of LeFevour and to keep opposing defenses a little more off balance. When the Chipps do go to the air, they are in good hands with their top three receivers returning. Antonio Brown is coming off a 93-reception, 998-yard, and seven touchdown season to lead this group. Bryan Anderson and Kito Poblah are speedsters who enable the Chipps to stretch the field. The offensive line is counting on converted tight end Rocky Weaver and redshirt freshman Jake Olson to hold their own at the two tackle spots.

Defense – The Chipps return 10 starters on this side of the ball. With all that experience, it’s hard to think they can’t improve on some disappointing 2008 numbers. Basically, this unit just has to do a better job against the pass. Central Michigan allowed 287.2 yards per game through the air in 2008 (118th in the nation). The defensive backfield managed only eight interceptions last season and allowed opposing QB’s to complete 63 percent of their attempts. I expect a breakout season for safety Eric Fraser, who had two of those eight picks, and the rest of the unit should be improved as well.

The linebacker position figures to be a major strength for the Chipps, led by middle linebacker Nick Bellore. The kid is a machine with the ability to make plays all over the field. He led the way with 148 tackles, 73 of them solo, last season. Defensive end Frank Zombo is the top returning sack guy with nine a season ago and Sam Williams is a steady end opposite him. Besides the defensive backfield, the CMU’s biggest need is on the defensive interior. Junior Sean Murnane and sophomore Josh Allison are expected to team up at the tackle positions.

Prediction: 1st MAC West – Heading to Arizona and then Michigan State to start the 2009 season could put Central Michigan in a 0-2 hole, but don’t lose faith in the Chipps as they will be just fine once league play starts on September 26th. The Chippewas have a chance to do something very special this season as they are gunning for their fourth straight bowl appearance – something no other team in the MAC has ever done. I think they pull it off behind an experienced defense and a potent offense and they do it with a overall MAC championship. Bet the MAC at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

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Jimmy Boyd’s NCAA football picks have your back this season!

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