The (4-7) Central Michigan Chippewas and (7-4) Eastern Michigan Eagles take the field on Friday for a matchup between MAC West division opponents. CMU lost 12-10 to Western Michigan last week, and EMU defeated Kent State 31-24. Kickoff between the Michigan directional programs will be at noon EDT. Eastern opened as a 1.5-point spread favorite, but the line has shifted to two points in favor of Central. The game total is 55 points scored.
Central Michigan was picked to finish third in the MAC West this season, receiving four first-place votes. It hasn't gone to plan for the Chippewas, who kicked off 2022 with a 1-5 record, with the lone victory over FCS program Bucknell. Since then, CMU has managed to win three of its past five, yet the loss to Western last week likely puts it out of bowl consideration. Central led 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, but WMU stole the win with a safety and field goal in the last four minutes.
The two teams traded 50-plus-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter, but those were the only visits to the end zone for either team. Central Michigan was outgained by over 100 total yards, lost the time of possession battle, and turned the ball over twice in the defeat. WMU stuck to the ground game on a snowy field, rushing 47 times for 255 yards (5.4 yards per carry). CMU attempted fewer passes than WMU, but freshman quarterba ck Jase Bauer completed only six passing attempts for 94 yards and an interception. With the weather in mind, CMU decided to play the mobile Bauer in place of sophomore Daniel Richardson (1,988 pass yards, 15 TDs, and 5 INTs).
Central Michigan averages 159.0 rush yards, 220.8 pass yards, and 25.3 points per game. Sophomore Lew Nichols III leads the team with 596 rushing yards and 6 TDs on the ground, and senior Carlos Carriere paces the receiving unit with 509 yards and 2 TDs. The defense is surrendering 27.3 points, 148.9 rush yards, and 220.8 pass yards per contest. CMU's -1.5 turnover margin per game is second-worst in the country, besting only Rice (-1.8). While he has yet to intercept a pass, sophomore DB Donte Kent has been a standout in pass defense.
With 1?5? pass breakups, Donte Kent leads the ????!#FireUpChips?????? pic.twitter.com/YwQHZlkJOS
— CMU Football ( @CMU_Football) November 18, 2022