Central Michigan Preview

Time:  3:30 EST
Location: Big House
TV:  BTN
Weather: 87 with 40% chance of thunderstorms
Line:  Michigan -31


The Chips won their last 5 out 6 games last year including The Little Caesars Bowl, so Brady Hoke will keep his team honest and prepared for Central.  Central also had the NFL's #1 draft pick in offensive lineman Erik Fisher.  Someday he and Jake Long can have a beer and talk about playing in the Great Lake State and being #1 draft picks in the overall draft.  The Wolverines shouldn't have much of an issue getting up for the first game of the year as they been hitting each other for a month and probably ready to hit someone else.

I have a feeling that both squads will want to run the ball.  Michigan will rely on Fitzgerald Toussaint who is back after a terrible leg injury late in the season last year.   Central's top rusher is Zurlon Tipton who nearly ran for 1500 yards last season.   CMU has a large and experienced offensive line and they will try to run the ball and protect their new QB Cody Kater.  I'm willing to bet Central will try to get creative and test the Michigan Safeties deep.  Scoring early and often will be Central's goals.  They would love to be in the game at the half and roll the dice in the third and fourth quarters.

Tale of The Tape

Michigan Everything vs. Central Everything = Michigan being a 31 point favorite


Michigan didn't have the luxury of playing a winnable game last year in the opener as they travelled to Dallas to meet the National Champions.  This year they do and hopefully this game gets out of hand early so we can see some young guys play and prepare for ND in a week. 

Michigan has been known to start the season slowly in openers and hopefully they have learned from their mistakes.  Keeping Central in this game with turnovers or quick 3 and outs will only give the Chips confidence.  If Central is in the game, former MSU QB and now Central head coach Dan Enos will get "creative" with some play calls.   Look for fake punts or anything that could rattle the young Wolverines.

Sing Hail to the Victors if...............

• Everyone stay healthy
• Devin has a nice day throwing the ball and stays clean
• Fitz goes for 100 yards by half time
• Derrick Greens gets at least 5 carries
• The defensive only gives up field goals
• Shane Morris gets some experience

Chomp Those Chips if....................

• Central thinks they are playing MSU
• The Chips game plan confuses the Michigan Defense
• Central scores the first touchdown early
• They hang around due to Michigan turnovers

Vegas thinks Michigan should win this game in a laugher.   Hoke hasn't lost in The Big House yet and Michigan is 31-1 against the MAC (thanks RR and Toledo).  The threat of thunderstorms reminds me of Hoke's first game as head coach when they called the game early because of lighting and Michigan's big lead. 

We will finally get chance to see Big Al's offense run by Devin Gardner who has a huge ceiling and would make a great NFL QB if he has a couple good years in Ann Arbor.   I just hope he protects himself if he runs or scrambles, the thought of losing him is pretty much a death blow to the season's goals.

Players to watch:  Drew Dileo with some nice catches and a touchdown.  Norfleet taking a punt or kickoff for a TD and Frank Clark getting more than one sack when Central feels like they have to throw the ball. 

This game could be the first step in what could be a Big Ten Championship Season.   Let's hope it's a successful step!

Michigan 41  CMU 12


GO BLUE!