Head Coach: Jim McElwain is entering his 6th season as the head coach of the Chippewas with a 29-28 record. He brought the Chips to a MAC championship twice but the last 2 years have been their worst, so he’s hoping to right the ship there. McElwain is well known because he’s been involved in some very strange controversies. The doppelganger shark picture, the death threats that didn’t exist and most recent Connor Stalions being spotted on their sideline last year and investigation that somehow took nearly a year.
Program Outlook: Did you know? Central Michigan is actually the northern most team in the MAC. You wouldn’t realize it without checking a map but they’re located pretty far up in the mit. Despite the far north and cold location this is a program that wins. They joined Division 1 in 1975 and didn’t suffer their first losing season until 1992! Overall they have the 30th highest winning percentage of all D-1 programs. Winning is the expectation here, but Central Michigan also deserves praise for the sustained success, it isn’t easy to do especially in the MAC.
How does the 2024 Roster look?: There’s some experience back for the Chips this year. The offense will see a change though, no longer do the Chips have the former Idaho Head Coach dream team of Paul Petrino and Robb Akey as coordinators. Petrino has left after the offense disappointed the last 2 years and currently the Chips do not have an offensive coordinator. There’s probably a plan that McElwain is keeping close to the chest but it’s funny to think they’re going into the season without an offensive coordinator. Their QB will be Bert Emmanuel Jr who is an electric playmaker that can run and has a powerful arm, he started early last year but got hurt. The big thing Bert Emmanuel Jr has to work on is being more consistent throwing the ball, and what should help is a veteran group of receivers just about everyone of note is back. They have a solid duo of backs and with an experienced group back up front Central Michigan is expected to have one of the better offensive lines in the MAC. Central Michigan will need the offense to be strong because the defense wasn’t great last season and lost a lot of top contributors to the portal. They’ll need to figure out the pass rush with a lot of key guys gone, but the portal did at least help them replenish a little bit. They’ll be able to hold up pretty well against the run at least. The secondary at least kept one of its stars in the versatile Donte Kent, he might be the best player on the team and can play any position in the secondary. They’ll need a few more guys to step up around him though.
Screenshot from fbschedules.com1
2024 Schedule Thoughts: The non-conference schedule for Central Michigan State isn’t bad. Central Michigan almost exclusively schedules FCS opponents from the Northeast every season, I can’t figure out why this is but definitely let us know if you happen to know why. Their northeastern FCS team of choice this year is Central Connecticut State who struggled their way to 3-8 in the NEC last year, they likely won’t put up a fight. The other non-conference games could be a challenge they play at FIU and nobody waltzes into Pitbull stadium and comes out with a victory (or will they?) Illinois will be a test but it’s also a winnable game, unfortunately if they win no one will notice because it’s buried away on Peacock, but that is also good news if they lose. They also face San Diego State at home and the Aztecs are implementing a new offense so that will be interesting to see. Their MAC schedule is tough, they’re in a pod with the other Michigan programs who could both be solid but Central Michigan’s draw is rough they face just about everyone that could potentially win the conference, both favorites (Toledo and Miami) on the road is particularly tough. There’s for sure a path to returning to a bowl game but the schedule makes it really difficult to contend for the conference.
Vegas Projection: Central Michigan’s win total is set at 5.5 with the odds geared toward the over. Vegas sees a return to a bowl despite a tougher schedule but not much more.
2024 Best Case: Bert Emmanuel Jr proves to be a revelation for the Chips and leads them to contention. They roll past their opening game and even manage to take down FIU in Pitbull stadium. Central Michigan makes a statement by taking down Illinois on the road. The Chips carry the momentum to win the next 4. That sets up a huge showdown at Miami who is quietly a huge nemesis, but Central Michigan manages to find their way to their first victory over the RedHawks since 2014. They beat Bowling Green the next week before their run ends at Toledo. Still, Central Michigan finishes the season strong to set up a grudge match with Toledo in the MAC championship. This time the Chips get revenge to finally return atop the conference again. Central Michigan closes out the season with a strong bowl performance to finish 13-1. Finally they are back on top.
2024 Worst Case: Perhaps the foundation is starting to crack. They win the opener but fall victim to the first game at Pitbull stadium and are blown out by a motivated FIU. Central Michigan is beaten by Illinois the next week and trouble is really apparent when they drop a home game to Ball State and are blown out by San Diego State. Central Michigan only wins one game the rest of the way and suddenly it’s back to the drawing board trying to figure out how to contend again.
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