Central Michigan Preview (Game Five)

[catdaddyp]

QB:

The Chips have mostly used a two-quarterback system with former Northern Arizona transfer Angel Flores as their main rushing threat and redshirt sophomore Jadyn Glasser as a passing option. Against Miami(FL), CMU tossed senior Marcus Beaman into the mix as well. When the Chips do pass, it’s usually a quick and fairly short outlet, as only 15 attempts have been thrown beyond 10 yards this season. The Chips utilize their run game and short passing options by using a lot of pre-snap motion and misdirection to create opportunities to methodically move the ball down field.

 

Flores has thrown for 123 yards on 33 attempts, while completing 57% of his passes. He’s also thrown two interceptions, with zero touchdowns, and has been sacked 4 times. Flores has run for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns on 63 rushing attempts.

 

Glasser has thrown for 112 yards on 29 attempts, while completing 62% of his passes and has the same touchdown to interception ratio as Flores. Glasser has been sacked 5 times.

 

Beaman hasn’t had as many opportunities and has thrown for 40 yards on 8 attempts.

 

RB:

Holy Cross transfer Jayden Clerveaux is the starter at running back, with Liberty transfer Vaughn Blue as the main backup, though the Chips will rotate in multiple backs. Clerveaux and Blue have combined for 244 yards on 49 attempts. Keep in mind that is less than Flores’ rushing total at quarterback. 

 

WR:

Langston Lewis is a former All-MAC wide-out that hasn’t done much this season. In fact, the entire receiving corps have been less than impressive, albeit with limited opportunities. No receiver has more than 7 receptions or more than 46 receiving yards. There have been zero receiving touchdowns on the year.

 

TE:

Four different tight ends will be utilized depending on the formation and down. They are usually not counted on for anything more than blocking, but sophomore Myles Peters does have 3 receptions for 14 yards.

 

OL:

The offensive line is big and experienced, with all five starters being seniors. However, they have been next to terrible in pass protection and are built for the run game.

LT - Jacob Booth (6’5 295) (Sr.)

LG - Jacob Russell (6’4 300) (Sr.) - Former Valparaiso Transfer

C - Losini Maka (6’2 315) (Sr.) - Georgetown Transfer

RG - John Iannuzzi (6’4 320) (Sr.) - Former Columbia Transfer

RT - Martin Koivisto (6’7 295) (Sr.)

 

DL:

JUCO transfer Jaxson Cherry and Cornell transfer Max Van Fleet are the starters on the interior, but will also bump outside depending on the alignment. Sophomore JJ Douglas and senior Korva Demma start on the edges. These four have amassed 42 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.

 

LB:

Junior Xavier White and Central Washington transfer Brett McCalla are the starters at linebacker. The duo has combined for 60 total tackles. Weber State transfer Mayson Hitchens also plays a high amount of snaps.

 

DB:

Bethune-Cookman transfer Matthew McKenzie and Campbell transfer Donovan Philord are the starters at cornerback. Junior Jaion Jackson starts at nickleback, while Wyoming transfer Justin Taylor and Northern Colorado transfer Darrell Bryant start at safety. Bryant and Taylor each have an interception on the year.

 

ST:

Sophomore Caden VanHuis is 2 for 3 on field goals and 5 of 6 on extra points. Former Illinois transfer Declan Duley is averaging nearly 43 yards per punt, with a long of 63 yards.

 

 

Keys on Offense:

The CMU defense has actually been fairly stout. It’ll be on the Zips offense to get ahead early and maintain a lead. There likely won’t be as many offensive opportunities due to the fact that the Chips want to use up the clock and limit opposing team’s possessions.

 

Keys on Defense:

Despite Akron’s struggles against the pass, CMU isn’t going to hurt anyone through the air. The Chips are going to try to run, run, and run some more. The Akron defense will likely face one of its most physical challenges this week and can’t wear down as the game progresses.

 

Final Thoughts:

I picked CMU to win in the preseason, but due to the Chips still struggling to find a suitable quarterback, I’m going with the Zips this game. The CMU offense can be downright anemic at times. Defensive line depth is my biggest concern for Akron, so that is an area to keep an eye on. Weather is another factor here - the sloppier the conditions, the better off CMU will be. Hopefully, it’ll be a clear fall day.

 

Edited Monday at 04:57 PM by catdaddyp

[exit322]

The 10-day forecast in Mount Pleasant says dry and mostly cloudy.

 

Akron's defense seems like it's been pretty OK against the run and (especially Game 4) had some "minor" issues against the downfield pass.  CMU might play into Akron's strengths.  Definitely feels like a winnable game.

[Zips1991]

I've been expecting a win in this game due to CMU's lack of passing offense which will (hopefully) prevent them from taking advantage of our biggest weakness (DBs). However, I'm less confident now after the Broughton injury and Roggow struggles last week.

Vegas has CMU as 5.5 points favorites.

[ZippyRulz]

This game will tell a lot about the remaining MAC season and bowl eligibility.  I'd call it a must-win.

 

[csims0917]

Sounds like if we can shut down the run and prevent the big plays, we should be able to pull of this one. Would be huge momentum swing going into the homecoming game 2-3 vs 1-4

[Zippy87]

16 hours ago, ZippyRulz said:

This game will tell a lot about the remaining MAC season and bowl eligibility.  I'd call it a must-win.

 

 

Yeah, if they don't win this one, it's hard to see them winning 5 of the next 7 to become eligible. 

[ZippyDoo]

It's playoffs baby.  That's how I think they need to approach the season.  The best players need to play unless injured of course. and every game that is "winnable" must be won.  No excuses can be accepted and none should be given.  Miami and Western in my opinion are the two "hardest" games remaining on the schedule.  I think every other game, except Western (it would take a perfect game on the Zips part and a lot of help) on this schedule is winnable.  I'm still waiting to see about UMASS but this team should be able to win every other game and this conference schedule this year should be the one that they go 6-2.  If this team does NOT finish at least 6-6 overall, that is three conference losses, then I would consider this year a failure, but again in my opinion looking at the rest of the conference, I really think that 7-5 is obtainable.  

 

I'm not starting the whole fire Joe Moe or anything like that.  I'm just stating that our conference schedule is not that difficult this year and I do believe that we have the talent to win enough games to be bowl eligible.  The coaching staff has had four games now to judge talent and to see what works and what doesn't.  If they continue to play the same players and refuse to make changes then we can expect the same results and that falls on them.  Hopefully, the coachable things have been addressed.  From Cat has said, this week the team can focus on stopping the run.  Central Michigan is Akron's super bowl.  That's all they should be worried about right now.  It's the most important game of the season.  

[exit322]

10 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

Central Michigan is Akron's super bowl.  That's all they should be worried about right now.  It's the most important game of the season.  

 

I like this approach.  Enter each game with a "we must win," possibly also because I'm not convinced 6-6 gets a bowl game with some bowl consolidation.