Preview - Spartans 2009 Game 2: Central Michigan University
SpartyMSU is starting our Early look at each Spartan Game...
and how the Spartans will March to 12 - 1 in 2009
Central Michigan Chippewas
September 12, noon: in East Lansing
Mt. Pleasant is 68 miles from East Lansing, and Ann Arbor is 64 miles away… I feel closer the Chips than I do to the arrogant asses in Ann Arbor, that’s for sure. But, We don't want to beat them any less either.
CMU Chips have been to Three Straight Bowl appearances, and likely to make it a forth (unless Western Michigan has anything to say about it…) Last December they played Florida Atlantic, in a shoot out.. a very exciting game: 24 – 21. I think they are aching to get back and win in the post season… That’s more recent Bowl games than the Spartans…
This game makes me a little nervous.. Not that I think the Chips will win, but that they can and will hang in there with the Spartans. Plus they did beat the Spartans twice.. I know.. its as hard to say as it is to read.. they beat us twice in the 90’s… The beating was ’91 and ’92.. and I’m still sore about it.
Spartans are going to be coming off a win against Montana State, CMU will have completed a game against Arizona.. Arizona is a better team than Montana State… CMU’s learning curve in higher than the Spartans at this point in the season.
You can’t take CMU lightly.. Dan LeFevour is Pre-Season one of the Top 5 quarterbacks in the nation. This kid is getting great press. In their Magazine, ESPN featured CMU Signal caller LeFevour with other senior quarterbacks: Max Hall (BYU), Tim Tebow (Florida), Todd Reesing (Kansas), Daryll Clark (Penn State) and Colt McCoy (Texas). Also in Phil Steele's College Football Preview 2009, LeFevour is listed as the fourth best quarterback in the nation behind McCoy, Tebow, and Sam Bradford (Oklahoma). He is the real deal… As well as the Chips passing sensation, he was their leading rusher with 592 yrds in 2008.
All this being said.. Lets not get ahead of ourselves… Yes, SpartyMSU likes CMU.. and Yes, SpartyMSU thinks Michigan State will handily beat Central Michigan…
What do the Chips have going for them… Besides Mr. Dan ?
Running Backs.. Not really… LeFevour was the leading rusher last year…a close second was the Graduated RB O. Sneed.. CMU rushed for 1738 yrds., but passed for over twice as much at 3767, averaging 289 / game.
But who will run the ball in 2009?.. will they rely on the QB again ?.. Probably not. But all are relatively untested: Paris Cotton, Bryan Shroeder, Jahleel Addae, Volny, Redd.. so far (from what we can research) its anyone’s guess who will line up in the back field..
Receivers.. If LeFevour can deliver the ball, if the line gives him time, he does have a crop of decent catchers. Antonio Brown (998 yrds in 2008), Bryan Anderson, Kito Poblah, Jean Pitts.. all have decent Hands..
Now, the reasons for the Big ifs.. If LeFevour can get the ball to the receivers, this is dependent on the Chips “O” line.. Unfortunately for the Chips, they graduated key players.. they lost 2 OT and the Center, plus OG Joe McMahon dropped out of school. They have all kinds of fix ‘in up to do. Replacing them is going to be difficult this year. Replacements include Jeff Maddux and Allen Ollenburger at the Guards who have had 27 starts between them. Jake Olson (Fr) and Rocky Weaver (Soph) at OT. But after this thin group… in the depth chart behind them.. Zip.. Zot. Nada.. No one. If they have injuries.. who’s going to fill in ? Note: Rocky was a TE until Spring. He’s 40 Lbs lighter than most OT…
In a CMU Blog Drew Ellis wrote that (http://sunsportsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-football-season.html ) even they are concerned: “ the big concern is at offensive line, yet the line will be anchored by two 3-year starters. Colin Miller and Jeff Maddux are reliable and senior Allen Ollenburger has playing experience to go on, but the two tackle positions, which are arguably the most important, are dominated with inexperience.”
Spartans Anderson and Neely should be able to pressure, hurry LeFevour all day… toss in a couple blitzes, they will pass pressure all day… plus they most likely will be banged up form playing Arizona (first PAC 10 team ever).. Their scoring chances dwindle.
Even if Dan L. gets the ball out and aimed at a receiver, the Spartan secondary is a strength this year, they are more than ready to give Levour a few ints. to start the season.
Suffice it to say, the Chip front 5 is less than it was last year and that’s being very.. very kind. And it is a BIG guess if the All Star QB will have time to deliver the Ball.. And playing against the Spartan “D”.. they don’t stand a chance, and LeFevour wont get the ball away too often…. He won’t be getting many points on the board.
Chips “D” stat: all 10 TEN tacklers are back this year…. That might be important…. The “D” line for the Chips is better off than the Offensive side of the ball. DT Frank Zombo (6’4” – 280) and Sam Williams (6’3” – 240) helped led the Chips to a 14th in 2008 for NCAA sacks. But they pass “D” was 118th. Kind of Jeckle and Hyde routine… After Zombo, there is little else for the Chips to be excited about. MSU’s “O”-line should have no trouble protecting Nicol and Cousins and open some holes for the running game. Note: Zombo might move to NT before the season begins…
The Chips will probably lead the MAC.. Get to another Bowl, but won’t beat the Spartans. Spartans have too much depth, and talent. Chips will hang in there and compete to be sure… . But, this isn’t the early 90’s.. Spartans win.
Game Prediction:
Spartans 42
CMU Chips 24
Sparty On !!!!
Categories: Football, Ramblings
Tags: Big Ten 2009 Michigan State University CMU Dantonio MSU Spartans
Very nice article. You much more informed on the Chippewas than most of the opponents we will face this year.
I don't want to say "in our defense" because its cliche and I really don't need to defend the team, they can do what they can, but Dan even with a weak o-line will be able to create room and open plays up more with his feet alone. His RB's aren't the most experienced, but they are fast, they are tough and there are a LOT of them to come at you.
The defense, especially the secondary is weak, but they are young and gaining more experience by the day. The linebacking core is very underrated...you did not mention Nick Bellore at MLB, but by the end of the game, you will know his name, he is a beast.
The Chippewas strengths are the offense and our ability to score, unfortunately our biggest weakness is giving up just as many points.
Good luck to the Spartans, this will be a game for the ages.
Prediction:
MSU - 38
CMU - 41 (Final-OT)
First, CMU is only down two starters on the OL, at both tackle spots. Miller was the starter at C the last two seasons until he got hurt, Ollenburger has started several games, and Maddux also was a starter. The confusion is understandable, as CMU was forced to juggle its OL all season due to injuries in '08. The group that gave up 7 sacks to IU -- in a CMU win -- last season had only two starters playing, and that was not Lefevour behind center. We gave up a total of 23 sacks in the other 12 games.
Also, Jean Pitts is done with football courtesy of an injury. However, CMU has receivers with some experience beyond the top three. Sean Skergan, for one, has a TD catch to his credit.
CMU will be fine at RB. Schroeder was hurt early in the season but had a 100yd rushing game against WMU to his credit. Cotton averaged 4.0yd in limited action. Volny is not a rookie, and the new backs are potentially more talented. And yes, LeFevour is like a RB in the open field. Last season, he was slowed by gimpy ankles. I wouldn't count on that happening again.
Defense: front seven was fine and should be again. Zombo had nine sacks, while Sam Williams had several more. Our secondary resembled a M.A.S.H. unit, with 7 guys lost for the season. This season, we should reap the rewards of getting younger players some reps.
MSU will be a tough game for us, no doubt, but never think it will be easy. The team was riddled with injuries at most positions last fall and is disappointed in how they finished the season. And very motivated!
Westland Chris,
Thanks for the update. Like I said in a reply earlier, But, I continue to hear about injuries even now to the team. I am concerned about the game.,No question. Chips are a good team, and like many articles have said, D.L. only makes them better at all positions. I want to read more about the Chips fall practices, but, at this point, still think it will be a Spartans victory.
I am concerned about the CMU game, almost more than I am against the Fighting Irish in South Bend. CMU is the real first game of our season, and with the Chips forecasted to be in the Top 40 in the nation (or better) this is not an easy game. The game will be close.. but come on.. a Chip win in OT ? please…..
This is going to be a much closer game than you think. You guys lost a lot from last year. You lost Ringer who was essentially your entire offense, Wiley at S, and two OL. Let's not forget you're going to be starting an unproven QB who will be playing in just his second FBS game ever. I know you're high on both QBs but neither one has done a thing yet and there most likely will be some growing pains.
Also I would take our pass defense statistics with a grain of salt. We had around 10 injured players in our secondary last year, and most of those were season ending. It was patchwork at best. That being said even with a healthy secondary I still think we'd only be around 70-80 in the country, but that probably would have won us 4 more games last year.
As far as the game goes, it will be interesting. I could see it going either way, but I wouldn't be shocked if Central comes away with the W and I would't even call it an upset. If you look at just the starters from the two teams I would say it's about an even match. The difference is MSU has much more depth than Central.
QBs - CMU
RB - Push (throwing in Lefevour here)
WR - CMU (Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson are two of the best in the country)
OL - MSU
DL - Push
LB - MSU
DB - MSU
It should be a fun game to watch!
No questions it will be a great Game, and even beter tailgates... But, if what you say is true, the only other game that might cause you concern in BC... again, if you are correct, possibly 3 looses to Az, MSU, and BC, and then go undefeted in the MAC and head to the 4th straight Bowl. AZ might end up 3rd in the PAC 10, MSU 3rd in Big Ten, and BC in the Top 30 of the Nations as well.
If CMU stay healthy this year, they can finish top 25, but they must beat, Az, MSU and/or BC. But, not sure that'll happen.
Sept. 12.. will be a great afternoon.. can't wait to crack open that first beer in the parking lot !