NCAA Football
Central Michigan Preview
Mt. Pleasant has been a place of sustained football success for awhile now. However, its ability to continue that trend is up in the air this year. Central Michigan have had to replace their quarterback and multiple positions on the defensive side, along with question marks at wide receiver and on the offensive lines. There is one place where there are no questions, and that is running back, where junior Jonathon Ward is big and speedy. This combination allowed him to run to a thousand yard season in his sophomore campaign. If there is to be success for the Chippewas, he must continue his performance from last year, and possibly improve some as the offense will have to go through him.
One Big Question?
The offensive line for Central Michigan has always been a problem spot. This year is no different, as another wave of new faces try to plug up the line for Ward and whoever takes over the QB position.
Prediction
I give them the benefit of the doubt, being in a division with two clear favorites, because they have the ability to beat out most of the major news projections. I have them at 8-4, with losses to Kentucky, Northern Illinois, Michigan State, and Toledo.
Game To Watch
Kansas is a rare oddity in my predictions, as its one of the few times I have a group of five team favored over a power five team. Call that a statement about how far group of five teams have come, or a statement on how bad Kansas football really is. The fact is that there is nothing to make me believe a Central Michigan team that upset a highly touted Oklahoma State team two years ago can’t beat a lowly Kansas.
Upset Alert
Akron won the East last year in dramatic fashion. While a lot of places have them down, I believe they will be one of the top teams in the east. Spurred on by being the beast team in the Cleveland area, they could upset the Chippewas on their way to battle Ohio for the MAC East title.
