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July 23, 2008

Getting to know Central Michigan


Image: Georgiadogs.com

Central Michigan might have raised a few Bulldog eyebrows because of their bowl performance against Purdue (51-48 loss). The offense, which averaged 34.8 points per game last season, is particularly intriguing because quarterback Dan LeFevour returns as one of only two players in NCAA history to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

Hmmm...returning 16 starters and a ton of offensive firepower....could this be a dangerous team coming into Athens?

A look closer reveals that they averaged only 22.75 points per game against BCS teams in four match-ups (Kansas, Clemson and Purdue...twice). Most of those points came against a Purdue squad that was ranked 50th-75th nationally in every major defensive category of interest.

As Sportsline.com's CMU preview shows, these guys have a defense that teeters around keystone cops territory. Last year, they gave up 303.5 yards passing per game (118th in nation), 460 total yards per game (109th in the nation), and 36.93 points per game (111th in nation). They lost three key performers from a defense that struggled, and their returning defensive line averages 246.5 pounds.

Points Allowed Defensively Last Season:
    vs. Kansas: 52 points
    vs. Purdue (regular season): 45 points
    vs. North Dakota State: 44 points
    vs. Ball State: 38 points
    vs. Clemson: 70 points
    vs. Kent State: 32 points
    vs. Eastern Michigan: 48 points
    vs. Akron: 32 points
Or put it another way...we have absolutely no idea who is going to start along the offensive line for Georgia against CMU. Trinton Sturdivant, Justin Anderson and Clint Boling all look at risk for this game, but it may not matter.

This is the perfect defense to face if you are breaking in young wide receivers and a patchwork offensive line. Particularly against a pass rush that finished 94th in the nation in sacks last year.

Are you at all nervous?

See Also:PWD

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm fairly certain someone on the Dawgvent mention that Sturdivant & Bean would not be suspended for any games. They would just be running a whole lot.

Anonymous said...

I'm always nervous. Hopefully the players and coaches are more nervous. Whenever I expect a blowout, we get some gut-wrenching nail biter.

Andrew said...

We are a completely different team now, but I can't stop thinking about that Colorado game in '06...

Anonymous said...

Central Michigan? Are we scared of Central Michigan? I wouldnt be scared of Michigan this year. I'm sure Central Michigan has a good team, and their offense was pretty good last year, but why should the fact that they almost beat Purdue last year concern us? We would have beaten Purdue like they stole something, just like we did Hawaii. Their defense is horrible. Their offense may be a bit underprepared for what UGA can bring to the table. Plus, it's going to be a little bit hotter in Athens than those corn fed Midwestern boys are used to enjoying.

I'm not scared of Central Michigan. Given the tremendous beatings we put on Brandon Cox, Tim Tebow, and Colt Brennan last year, I'm scared FOR Central Michigan. Bring a lot of ice and ace bandages, fellas. It's going to be a loooooooooooooong day for the Chippewas.

and if that sounds arrogant, well...it ain't braggin' if you can do it.

Anonymous said...

Yep, Dan LeFevour = Jared Zabransky in 05!! Get ready for a beat down. Now, I doubt we put 70 on them like clemson did last year, unless the Evil CMR show up. But I'm guessing 45-17. I doubt Knowshon even breaks a sweat in this game.

Anonymous said...

No. Next.

Anonymous said...

Wow - some of my Bulldog compadres have a short memory. Were you not in Nashville - with our heels in the endzone on the brink of losing to Vandy? How about watching Troy run up and down the field? ANYTHING can happen...

Anonymous said...

Appalachian State

Never overlook an opponent.

Anonymous said...

Michigan didn't overlook App. and Richt certainly isn't going to overlook any team.

Sometimes teams just end up bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Anonymous said...

Fair enough. Let's look at Michigan and App St. A bunch of corn fed midwestern boys trying to chase more speed than they'd ever seen in the Big Slow Ten. Does anyone seriously thing Central Michigan is going to be faster on offense than UGA is on defense?

UGA was sleeping on Vandy, and almost paid for it, but Troy? Troy scored garbage points to make the game seem closer than it really was.

Dan LeFevour should go ahead and call Tim Tebow, Brandon Cox, and Colt Brennan now, so he can find out what the optimum physical therapy program will be for himself the week after we beat him like he stole something.

Anonymous said...

I highly doubt we'll be sleeping on Central Michigan, but it won't be because of App. State.

It's my understanding from some fellow Michigan fans that Lloyd Carr was bad about not having his teams in game shape at the beginning of the season. Maybe they are just grumbling, but it makes sense. I watched a rerun of the Michigan-App. State game and the Mountaineers were blowing by the Wolverines many times in the second half.

We will definitely be in game shape from Game 1.

 
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