Head Coach: Dan Enos (13-24 in three seasons)
2012 Record: 7-6 (4-4 in Mid-American Conference, fourth in the MAC West division)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Lost Leadership: QB Ryan Radcliff, WR Cody Wilson, S Jahleel Addae, DL Caesar Rodriguez, DL Joe Kinville, LT Eric Fisher, RG Darren Keyton, RT Mike Repovz, CB Lorenzo White
Key Returnees: RB Zurlon Tipton, WR Titus Davis, WR Courtney Williams, LB Justin Cherocci, LB Shamari Benton, DT Jabari Dean, S Avery Cunningham, S Kavon Frazier
2013 Offensive Outlook:
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| Central Michigan senior running back, Zurlon Tipton will be heavily leaned upon this season. Picture Courtesy: cmuchippewas.com |
Strength: The Chippewas running game should be extremely strong this season, with returning running back, Zurlon Tipton. Tipton was nearly a 1,500 yard rusher last season, but really didn't get the ball as much as he should have. However, this upcoming season, without a quarterback like Ryan Radcliff to carry the team, expect Tipton to get several more carries. As long as the Chippewas offensive line can be productive in front of Zurlon, expect him to have another very explosive season in Mount Pleasant.
Weaknesses: With Ryan Radcliff graduated, Central Michigan is looking to replace a 3,100 yard passer. Replacing Radcliff may not be the biggest issue that the Chippewas need to face, however, especially with a very productive wide receiver unit with Titus Davis, Courtney Williams, and young stud, Andrew Flory. If Cody Kater replaces Radcliff as the starting quarterback, don't expect an easy transition. Kater is a junior this season, but have extremely minimal experience at the college level. Last season, Kater threw a total of four passes, completing two of them. Despite Kater's inexperience, keep in mind he won't need to carry the entire offense. Kater has the luxury of handing the ball off to one of the top running backs in the Mid-American Conference in Zurlon Tipton. Along with Tipton, Kater will have several productive wide receivers to throw the ball to. I expect a few issues at the quarterback position for Central, especially with the tough opening game at the Big House to face the Michigan Wolverines, but if Kater gets comfortable, he has the weapons around him to make the Chippewas one of the MAC's most explosive offenses.
2013 Defensive Outlook:
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| Central Michigan linebacker, Justin Cherocci will look to build off of a very productive season as a sophomore. Picture Courtesy: zimbio.com |
Strength: The strength of the Chippewa defense has to be the linebacking core. Led by Justin Cherocci and Shamari Benton, the CMU linebackers are some of the best in the MAC. Cherocci and Benton were one of the top linebacker duos in the MAC last season, combining for 256 tackles. Along with the tackles, comes the veteran leadership of Cherocci and Benton. Cherocci was an All-MAC third team performer last season as a sophomore, and ranked 19th nationally in tackles with 132. Along side of him, Shamari Benton who ranked 24th nationally with 126 tackles, and was named Little Caesars Pizza Bowl lineman of the game. Also, during five games last season, Benton recorded double digits in tackles. This season, both players are coming back with a bowl win under their belt, and there is no ceiling on what this duo can do together this season.
Weakness: The defensive weaknesses for the Chips this season are at the cornerback position along with the leadership questions. Losing Lorenzo White and Jahleel Addae to graduation is a big blow to the secondary as a whole, especially in Addae's case. Jahleel Addae led the team last year in interceptions with four. Addae's four interceptions wouldn't be as big of a deal if the team had more than just thirteen during their thirteen game season. Now, it's up to Avery Cunningham and sophomore, Kavon Frazier to step up at the safety positions. Cunningham had 88 tackles and two interceptions playing along side of Addae last season at safety. Frazier on the other hand, was in sparingly at the safety position. Despite the lack of time Frazier received at safety, he still made quite an impact. As a true freshman, Frazier recorded 36 tackles and an interception against Eastern Michigan which he returned 49 yards for a touchdown to help lead the Chippewas to a bowl bid. The safety positions shouldn't be an issue for the Chips this season, but the cornerback spot will be. Jarret Chapman and Jason Wilson should be the main corners once again this season, but both of them were shut out of the interception category last season. Cornerbacks who can't force turnovers and interceptions become crucial in close games when you need that playmaker in your secondary. Truthfully, this may not be as big of an issue as it's made out to be, but it is nearly the only slight weakness that I see in this Central defense this upcoming season.
Bottom Line: It should be a pretty decent year for the Central Michigan Chippewas if they can find their signal caller at quarterback. With playmakers returning such as Zurlon Tipton, Titus Davis, and Courtney Williams on offense, and tremendous linebacker play once again this season, the Chips should be able to duplicate or even improve on last season's seven wins. If the Chippewas are only able to win five or six games this season, they'll at least hope for one of their victories to come on November 16 at Western Michigan.
Schedule/My Predictions:
August 31 - @ Michigan - L 17-45
September 7 - New Hampshire - W 34-14
September 14 - @ UNLV - W 35-24
September 21 - Toledo - L 21-38
September 28 - @ NC State - L 17-31
October 5 - @ Miami (Ohio) - W 31-24
October 12 - Ohio - L 20-35
October 19 - Northern Illinois - L 35-38
November 6 - @ Ball State - W 28-24
November 16 - @ Western Michigan - W 35-34
November 23 - UMass - W 38-14
November 29 - Eastern Michigan - W 45-17
My Predictions: 7-5 (5-3 Mid-American Conference)
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