Central Michigan ended the 2022 season 4-8, but many of the Chippewas’ games were competitive.
In head coach Jim McElwain’s four years at CMU, that was his first losing season. In Year 5, the Chippewas are aiming to bounce back and show they are still a team to be taken seriously in the MAC.
But does CMU have the roster to compete with the rest of the conference?
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Central Michigan Football’s MAC Title Odds
Central Michigan’s odds to win the MAC are +2000, via BetMGM.
Central Michigan Football’s Over/Under Win Total
Central Michigan’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at -130 and Over 5.5 at +110.
Central Michigan Football’s Schedule
9/2 at Michigan State
9/9 vs New Hampshire
9/16 at Notre Dame
9/23 at South Alabama
9/30 vs Eastern Michigan
10/7 at Buffalo
10/14 vs Akron
10/21 at Ball State
10/31 vs Northern Illinois
11/7 at Western Michigan
11/15 at Ohio
11/24 vs Toledo
Bold indicates MAC contests.
Key Central Michigan Football Returners
2022 All-MAC 1st Team
DB Donte Kent
3rd Team
OL Deiyantei Powell-Woods
LB Kyle Moretti
KR De’Javion Stepney
Deiyantei Powell-Woods Helping Pave The Way For Central Michigan’s Offense
The Chippewas return most of their starting offensive line from a year ago. Central Michigan was in the top half of the MAC for most rushing yards per game (160.4) and the least amount of sacks allowed (31).
Deiyantei Powell-Woods, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior, played primarily at left guard and made the all-conference second team last year. Davis Heinzen, a 6-5, 289-pound redshirt sophomore, and Brayden Swartout, a 6-7, 296-pound junior, were CMU’s primary starters at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, and both return.
Many of Central Michigan’s top playmakers on offense are no longer on the team. But the Chippewas were no better than seventh in the MAC in scoring offense (24.8 points per game) or total offense (368.5 yards per game) so maybe changes on that side of the ball could be productive.
Quarterback Daniel Richardson, who led CMU with 1,988 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions, transferred to FAU. Lew Nichols III, who led CMU with 616 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last year and led the FBS with 1,848 rushing yards the year before, was drafted by the Packers. Carlos Carriere, the team’s leading receiver with 520 yards, 45 catches and two touchdowns in 2022, signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent this offseason.
Jase Bauer is the only other quarterback on the roster who threw more than 10 passes for CMU last year. The redshirt sophomore totaled 435 yards, one touchdown, and five picks while completing 35 of 59 passes in six games.
Marion Lukes is the team’s returning leading rusher, as he recorded 323 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. CMU’s top two receivers from last year have moved on, but Jalen McGaughy was third with 313 yards and two touchdowns on 20 catches, and he is back. CMU also added Wisconsin transfer wide receiver Stephan Bracey Jr.
De’Javion Stepney, a defensive back, was an all-conference kick returner who also is back. He should be able to set up CMU’s offense with favorable field position.
Donte Kent Sets The Tone For Central Michigan’s Defense
The Chippewas were in the top half of the MAC in 2022 for total defense (374.5 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (28.2 points allowed per game). But they will still want to make some improvements if they want to be competitive in the conference.
But it’s not too difficult to believe that will happen, considering 11 of CMU’s top 14 tacklers from a year ago are back.
Donte Kent, a 5-11, 185-pound junior defensive back, was an all-conference first-teamer a year ago. He was second in the league with 15 pass breakups to go with 51 tackles.
Kyle Moretti was the team’s leading tackler in 2022. The 6-2, 229-pound junior linebacker tallied 95 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks last year.
Thomas Incoom was one of the best defensive linemen in the MAC last season, but he is now with the Denver Broncos. CMU will need to find a way to pressure the quarterback without him, as he was second in the MAC with 11.5 sacks and 18.5 TFLs last year.
Central Michigan Football Season Prediction
CMU isn’t going to win the MAC, nor will the team win more than five games.
CMU signed the top recruiting class in the MAC, so the future could be bright for this program. But that probably won’t help the Chippewas much in 2023.
Earning more than a single non-conference victory will be difficult, for starters. The Chippewas have to travel to Michigan State, Notre Dame, and South Alabama, and even that last matchup is going to be a tough test as the Jaguars are expected to be among the best Sun Belt teams in 2023. CMU, however, should defeat New Hampshire of the FCS in the Chippewas’ home opener.
CMU’s MAC schedule will also be daunting. The Chippewas will face Eastern Michigan and reigning conference champion Toledo at home as well as Buffalo and Ohio on the road. Those four squads are in the top five in MAC Championship odds.
The middle portion of Central Michigan’s conference slate could go a bit better. The Chippewas play Akron at home, Ball State on the road, Northern Illinois at home, and then at Western Michigan. I believe CMU will win at least three of those four games.
But even if that happens, and even when factoring in an upset over one of their other four tougher MAC opponents or a win over South Alabama, that still leaves Central Michigan with just five victories.
Going above .500 doesn’t seem likely for CMU in 2023.
