Game # 7: vs. Central Michigan Chippewas

[LoyalZIP]

In 2017, Joe Moorhead was the best offensive coordinator in college football with Penn State, and Jim McElwain was on his way out as head coach at Florida. On Saturday, they face off at Infocision Stadium in Akron, OH as head coaches of 1-5 (0-2 MAC) MAC teams. It's one of the more interesting storylines of the college football week, that most people are totally oblivious to.

 

While CMU has been disappointing this year, McElwain was a tremendous hire and took the Chips fro 1-11 to MAC West champs in 2019. He's got a pretty stable roster, but they've struggled big time this year, especially early in ball games (sound familiar?). Daniel Richardson is one of the better QBs in the league, and RB Lew Nichols is probably the best returning overall player in the MAC from last year, they've vastly underperformed so far. Remember, they spanked Wazzu in their bowl game last year, a rare impressive bowl performance by a MAC team.

 

A look at their early-game struggles:

 

Week 1 @ Oklahoma State: Trailed 37-7 in the 2nd quarter before rallying back in the 4th quarter to lose 58-44

Week 2 vs. South Alabama: Gave up an early TD (missed PAT) then scored to take a 7-6 lead. Wound up giving up 25-unanswered points to take a 31-10 deficit into the locker room

Week 3 vs. Buckenll: Really bad, currently winless FCS team. They won 41-0 and covered the 40.5pt. spread! But it was knotted up at 0-0 until a CMU TD pass with 4 minutes before half

Week 4: @ Penn State: Actually not a bad performance overall. But they trailed 14-0 mid way thru the 1st quarter before scoring a couple times to make it 14-all. Ended up losing 33-14.

Week 5: @ Toledo: The Chips score first! 3-0 after a Marshall Meeder FG (more on him later). Then Toledo ties it up, and then scores 4 unanswered TDs to end the half with a 31-3 lead.

Week 6: vs. Ball State: No early struggles in this one, for the most part. They led 10-0 before a BSU TD in the 2nd quarter. They lose at home 17-16, giving up just 236 yards of offense.

 

The aforementioned kicking game has been an unmitigated disaster. Meeder and Josh Rolston are a combined 11-14 on XPs, and 3-9 (!!!!!!!!!) on Field goals. They're a combined 3-5 on 40-49 yarders and haven't made one from 30-39. Rolston hit a 44-yarder in the loss to Ball State last week.

 

Coming into this season, I would have picked CMU as a top 3 MAC team. They brought back a lot of guys from a really good team. As we know, that doesn't necessarily always mean success, just ask the 2021 Ball State Cardinals, who brought back nearly the entire 2020 championship team, including Justin Hall, one of the best players in league history. They thing that sticks out to me is CMU's inability to run the ball with consistency. I thought that would be the thing to give them a chance to win this league, but Lew Nichols, who gained nearly 2,000 yards last year, is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

 

This team has struggled mightily. I'm talking about CMU. And Akron. Both teams know who their opponent is. I would say everyone on the CMU sideline feels and knows they're better than they are, and certainly better than Akron. I would happen to agree with them. But as Joe has said, it's a new era here, and I don't expect the Zips to roll over and play dead. 

 

The line opened at CMU -13. The metrics must really like CMU, because that seems like a no-brainer to take the points. With that said, the growing pains will continue in some way or another. And OU may have exposed the defense to the rest of the league, showing them how to beat the Zips. However, Akron will have the better receivers, and maybe even the better QB as Joe has made DJ into one of the most efficient QBs in the league, which is hard to believe. This is a winnable game for Akron. I don't expect them to win it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're in it for 60 minutes and have a chance at the end. Now with that Jinx, CMU will open up with 3-straight TDs out the gate and hit 5 field goals of 50+ 😂

 

Go Zips!

[AkronAlumnus]

Akron is one of the worst teams in the country. CMU will cover and then some.

[clarkwgriswold]

CMU is better than their record indicates.

 

UA is, unfortunately, just what their record indicates.

 

Another long afternoon at Infocision.

 

The Beacon has a big ad today from UA giving a free ticket to any area high schooler.  They really need to go back to the $10 ticket they had for homecoming.

[LZIp]

Did some reading on CMU message boards last night. Looks like they lost their OC and OL coach from last years teams as well as most contributing WRs. They aren’t happy with their QB, WR, and kicking (as Loyal Zip indicated). It would appear that if we focus on stopping the run wehave a chance as the WRs don’t seem to be a huge threat, meaning our disappointming secondary shouldn’t be giving up huge back breaking plays (knock on wood).

[Lee Adams]

1 hour ago, LoyalZIP said:

In 2017, Joe Moorhead was the best offensive coordinator in college football with Penn State, and Jim McElwain was on his way out as head coach at Florida. On Saturday, they face off at Infocision Stadium in Akron, OH as head coaches of 1-5 (0-2 MAC) MAC teams. It's one of the more interesting storylines of the college football week, that most people are totally oblivious to.

 

While CMU has been disappointing this year, McElwain was a tremendous hire and took the Chips fro 1-11 to MAC West champs in 2019. He's got a pretty stable roster, but they've struggled big time this year, especially early in ball games (sound familiar?). Daniel Richardson is one of the better QBs in the league, and RB Lew Nichols is probably the best returning overall player in the MAC from last year, they've vastly underperformed so far. Remember, they spanked Wazzu in their bowl game last year, a rare impressive bowl performance by a MAC team.

 

A look at their early-game struggles:

 

Week 1 @ Oklahoma State: Trailed 37-7 in the 2nd quarter before rallying back in the 4th quarter to lose 58-44

Week 2 vs. South Alabama: Gave up an early TD (missed PAT) then scored to take a 7-6 lead. Wound up giving up 25-unanswered points to take a 31-10 deficit into the locker room

Week 3 vs. Buckenll: Really bad, currently winless FCS team. They won 41-0 and covered the 40.5pt. spread! But it was knotted up at 0-0 until a CMU TD pass with 4 minutes before half

Week 4: @ Penn State: Actually not a bad performance overall. But they trailed 14-0 mid way thru the 1st quarter before scoring a couple times to make it 14-all. Ended up losing 33-14.

Week 5: @ Toledo: The Chips score first! 3-0 after a Marshall Meeder FG (more on him later). Then Toledo ties it up, and then scores 4 unanswered TDs to end the half with a 31-3 lead.

Week 6: vs. Ball State: No early struggles in this one, for the most part. They led 10-0 before a BSU TD in the 2nd quarter. They lose at home 17-16, giving up just 236 yards of offense.

 

The aforementioned kicking game has been an unmitigated disaster. Meeder and Josh Rolston are a combined 11-14 on XPs, and 3-9 (!!!!!!!!!) on Field goals. They're a combined 3-5 on 40-49 yarders and haven't made one from 30-39. Rolston hit a 44-yarder in the loss to Ball State last week.

 

Coming into this season, I would have picked CMU as a top 3 MAC team. They brought back a lot of guys from a really good team. As we know, that doesn't necessarily always mean success, just ask the 2021 Ball State Cardinals, who brought back nearly the entire 2020 championship team, including Justin Hall, one of the best players in league history. They thing that sticks out to me is CMU's inability to run the ball with consistency. I thought that would be the thing to give them a chance to win this league, but Lew Nichols, who gained nearly 2,000 yards last year, is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

 

This team has struggled mightily. I'm talking about CMU. And Akron. Both teams know who their opponent is. I would say everyone on the CMU sideline feels and knows they're better than they are, and certainly better than Akron. I would happen to agree with them. But as Joe has said, it's a new era here, and I don't expect the Zips to roll over and play dead. 

 

The line opened at CMU -13. The metrics must really like CMU, because that seems like a no-brainer to take the points. With that said, the growing pains will continue in some way or another. And OU may have exposed the defense to the rest of the league, showing them how to beat the Zips. However, Akron will have the better receivers, and maybe even the better QB as Joe has made DJ into one of the most efficient QBs in the league, which is hard to believe. This is a winnable game for Akron. I don't expect them to win it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're in it for 60 minutes and have a chance at the end. Now with that Jinx, CMU will open up with 3-straight TDs out the gate and hit 5 field goals of 50+ 😂

 

Go Zips!

Was checking the stats for CMU and Akron in MAC only games. CMU has really struggled offensively. 16.5 ppg. Rushing avg. 2.6 ppg. Passing 231 yds/game. Completion at 51.2%. Conversely, only giving up 27.5 ppg.

We all know what Akron is doing on offense and...not doing on defense. If Akron can continue to control the ball not turn it over and put up points they have a punchers chance IF thats a big IF they can stop CMU on the ground and not have DB's chasing WR's all over the field. Joe usually comes up with something offensively. If the D side can at least make CMU have to use long drives to score, this MIGHT be the 'break through game' for Akron.

They won't win by 13 if they win but...

[Blue & Gold]

 

[kreed5120]

On 10/11/2022 at 10:54 AM, clarkwgriswold said:

 

The Beacon has a big ad today from UA giving a free ticket to any area high schooler.  They really need to go back to the $10 ticket they had for homecoming.

 

I honestly don't think it would help much. Students can get in for free and they still don't show up

[clarkwgriswold]

42 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I honestly don't think it would help much. Students can get in for free and they still don't show up

I'm trying to appeal to cheap middle aged men (like me!).

[Zipmeister]

Zips by 14.

[Spin]

2 hours ago, Zipmeister said:

Zips by 14.

That’s the attitude!!!
 

What are you drinking?

[Captain Kangaroo]

On the old MAC bard there was a CMU fan who went by the name CHIPPEWA ENEMA. He posted there for a lot of years...maybe still does?

 

The name still makes me laugh 20+ years after I first saw it. The all CAPS is the cherry on top. 😂

[ZippyRulz]

so we're going with the all-gold unis this week then?

[LoyalZIP]

Happy Gameday Eve! How does everyone feel about the noon start? I'm not really picky either way when it comes to kick times, but getting to the stadium early in the morning has always felt a little strange to me. I'm a big fan of 2:00pm, early enough to be out of there in time to get settled in to watch the late games but late enough to get a decent night of sleep AND a nice long tailgate. 

 

Anyway, I'm going back and forth on this game. I truly believe that Akron can and should be in it for 60 minutes and have a chance to win the game at the end (much like BG), but like Vegas, I'm a lot higher on CMU than I probably should be. CMU, outside of that 2018 season (again, the last FBS team that Zips fans saw Akron beat at home), has been one of the most consistently successful MAC programs over the last 25 years. Akron has only beaten them once since 2003, which was also the last time Akron won in Mt. P. (I know, not relevant this week). Even the 2005 Chips came to the Rubber Bowl with Brian Kelly and spanked the Zips. I look at this year's CMU team the same way I'm looking at Oklahoma--They can't be that bad, right? But sometimes, they are. Unfortunately, the Zips in most cases are indeed that bad.

 

With that said, Akron looks like a Division 1 football team once again. I thought the Liberty game may have been a fluke, but after a couple MAC games now, you can see they are far more competitive and match up with the opponent physically so much more. And while the defense has been bad for much of the year, it has shown flashes of being able to make plays, and like many others I feel they're put in position to be successful more often than not, they just aren't where they need to be skill-wise. The turnover numbers are what show this the most. As I said earlier this week, turnovers aren't luck, they're about position and effort, and then making the play. KJ Martin's pick against BG was just that--he played through the play and they were able to capitalize on a rare miss by the BG QB. 

 

I'm ready to admit that Akron has a good MAC offense. With that said, it can be one dimensional. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but establishing a true rushing attack is something that will need to be done in order to consistently compete and win football games. Any good MAC team over however many years has been good because they can run the ball. Even offenses like BG in 2015 or Kent the last few years that identify as throwing teams have rushing attacks to add a dynamic that makes them essentially unstoppable*. I like Price's development so far, he seems to have gotten over the dropsies, but I would like to see the line come together to get a better push and create some holes in the middle. Maybe some option with Irons too. Either way, I am confident that the offense can move the ball. They just need to be consistent and score TDs in the red zone far more often. 

 

So, CMU has a new OC that their fans hate, lost a couple stud O-linemen, and have a QB that is good-not-great to pair with one of the best backs in the country, who hasn't gotten much going. I would love to see Akron force CMU to win through the air. Richardson is no Rourke after all. And I want to see the DBs step it up. I like the defensive front and feel they are able to stop the run, but if they fail to stuff it early, I expect a very long afternoon at Infocision. I am looking forward to the matchup on the field and the duel between the two proven head coaches, that's going to be cool thing to see!

 

At the very least, it feels great to have a head coach that isn't obviously in over his head. I grew to resent the previous coach because he sounded like he didn't know what he was talking about, and that's exactly what it looked like on the field. That's not the case anymore, and that itself at least makes me feel better. Go Zips!

 

 

[GoZips86]

I agree @LoyalZIP, I prefer the later in the afternoon kickoffs. I used to not really be thrilled about 3:30, but then once I got used to it I prefer it. I will say though, tailgating before a 12pm game has a certain feeling to it. Not sure what it is, but with the crisp fall air its a delight. 

 

Anyways, I am not really "caring" about this game in a sense of getting myself worked up like I tend to do. I really want the Zips to win, and I hope they play well. However, I am going to go and try to focus on the nice football weather, and the fact that the Zips are playing right in front of me. This season is flying by, and although the win column hasn't been what any of us have wanted, I am going to focus on the good. With that, I don't have anything to report on predictions and such. I hope for a win, but am going to enjoy the live football atmosphere regardless.

 

However, I will freak out if I see ANOTHER wide open perfect pass be dropped again. That's unacceptable and I cannot be leisure about that LOL.

[LoyalZIP]

22 minutes ago, GoZips86 said:

I agree @LoyalZIP, I prefer the later in the afternoon kickoffs. I used to not really be thrilled about 3:30, but then once I got used to it I prefer it. I will say though, tailgating before a 12pm game has a certain feeling to it. Not sure what it is, but with the crisp fall air its a delight. 

 

Anyways, I am not really "caring" about this game in a sense of getting myself worked up like I tend to do. I really want the Zips to win, and I hope they play well. However, I am going to go and try to focus on the nice football weather, and the fact that the Zips are playing right in front of me. This season is flying by, and although the win column hasn't been what any of us have wanted, I am going to focus on the good. With that, I don't have anything to report on predictions and such. I hope for a win, but am going to enjoy the live football atmosphere regardless.

 

However, I will freak out if I see ANOTHER wide open perfect pass be dropped again. That's unacceptable and I cannot be leisure about that LOL.

 

That's a great perspective to have. The tin lining of the last 3 years is that we won't be seeing football nearly that bad anymore. On top of that, when 2020 robbed us of a shot at a MAC tournament title in basketball and the chance to be at Infocision in the fall, I come to appreciate each game more and more for the sole fact that I love Akron and I'm lucky to watch my alma mater play in one of the nicest facilities in the country for really cheap. And no matter how many beatdowns and losses we've seen at Infocision, there's still no place I'd rather be on a beautiful fall Saturday. Just imagine how it would feel if there was a nice crowd and consistent winning over MAC competition!

[LoyalZIP]

Preview from Hustle Belt

 

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2022/10/13/23402850/central-michigan-chippewas-at-akron-zips-football-game-preview-week-7-2022

 

 

[Lee Adams]

19 minutes ago, LoyalZIP said:

Preview from Hustle Belt

 

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2022/10/13/23402850/central-michigan-chippewas-at-akron-zips-football-game-preview-week-7-2022

 

 

For the Zips to win: The Defense has to finally play at the line of scrimmage. Can not let CMU get a running game going that it hasn't had all season. Don't allow CMU receivers to get 'underneath' the CB's and run across the field on slants and posts. Obviously, that would cut down on some of the chunk plays that the D has been giving up.

The offense has to score early. Joe has some solid RB's,use them. Don't make Irons throw the ball 40-50 times. If Irons is healthy, get him moving,options,draws.

If Akron has to start chasing points again they are gonna turn the ball over. CMU defense is not giving up much.

Who wins? Hell I don't know!

[Let'sGoZips94]

Can't wait to head down to the Info here in a few hours. This will actually be my oldest daughter's first Akron sporting event (I forgot we had tickets to the Guardians game the same day as BUGS). Time to immerse her in Zips fandom!

 

I believe someone said the Team Shop was well stocked with new "A" gear - I'm hoping that's still true. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Blue & Gold]

21 hours ago, Lee Adams said:

For the Zips to win: The Defense has to finally play at the line of scrimmage.

[LoyalZIP]

 

[zipsrule]

We'll start with the ball.  Let's get the offense rolling.

[zipsrule]

Touchdown Zips 

[LZIp]

Thats the start we need!

[LZIp]

That kick...ugh.