Michigan Football: Central Michigan at Michigan — Staff Predictions
Posted at 7:00am — 8/31/2013
Michigan Football: Central Michigan at Michigan — Staff Predictions
GBMWolverine Readers:
Here is our take for the game today. What is your predictions … agree or disagree with us? Come to the message board and make your prediction.
Doc4Blu:
Good weather, very good talent. better depth, tougher kids, just no experience. The coaches will feel as if they are babysitting at times.
Central Michigan 10
Michigan 34
Apr 13, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
ErocWolverine:
Going to be a great day back in Michigan Stadium. The opener is always special and to see the stadium, the tailgating, the band, and of course those winged helmets come to the field is always a special event.
For the game, I believe it will be close early on, but Michigan should pull away before halftime and in the second half Michigan should have a comfortable lead.
Think Michigan wins without showing to much, but also showing fans that Michigan is back in the a big way, the old Michigan has returned, not complete yet, but getting very close now.
Central Michigan 13
Michigan 35
Mike Fitzpatrick (The Michigan Man Podcast):
Let me start by saying I feel good about this game. Central is a good team, and will provide Michigan a solid test. On offense they are led by Zurlon Tipton, who most Michigan fans don’t know about, but NFL scouts do. He is a big strong running back. The receivers are solid, the o-line good, but they are breaking in a new Quarterback. CMU colorman Brock Gutierrez told me he likes Cody Kater, and thinks he is a very promising and mobile kid. On D is where Central has struggled. This is supposed to be the best front Dan Enos has had in his four years, the linebackers are ok, and the secondary is fair.
As Brady said earler this week, we aren’t holding anything back because of Notre Dame next week. We will do what we do! While most of us would like to see a blowout so we can relax, and that could happen, my gut tells me we’re going to struggle some. I still have no idea how fluid this offense is, or if we’ll even know after this Saturday. I look for a balanced attack, strong on tackle to tackle power run plays, and play action in the passing game. I think the offense will be ok this week, it will just take time to get in synch.
On D I expect an aggressive and solid performance. Like Yostmeister, I think we are more than solid everywhere, but I do think we lack the lateral speed at the outside backer positions. That could be a problem next week, but I don’t think it will be on Saturday. So enjoy the opener at the Big House. Don’t get too down in the dumps if the boys don’t put up 50 on the Chips. I’ll be happy if we come out of Saturday healthy (especially at QB) and with a victory. GO BLUE!
Central Michigan 14
Michigan 31
Apr 13, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
SKWDCOP:
Hoke and Company have not lost a game at the Big House yet. This will be an excellent chance for us to see whether the Michigan front four can generate a pass rush without a lot of blitzing. Do not get me wrong there will be blitzing as it is one of DC Greg Mattison’s calling cards, but can the Wolverines get to QB Cody Kater without it, and do so against a very well-coached line all at or above 300 lbs. If not we could see the CMU offense with RB Zurlon Tipton, and a host of returning receivers cause a lot of problems for the maize and blue. But I simply do not see that happening, the Michigan win streak string at home will continue; however, expect the Chips to make a game of it in the first quarter to half.
Central Michigan 17
Michigan 42
WerlsWolverine:
Michigan wins and everybody sings “The Victors”.
Central Michigan 17
Michigan 35
There are many questions to be answered with this year’s Michigan team… but I doubt that many of them will be definitively answered in this game. CMU is not a bad football team and by most accounts should play Michigan tough at least through the first 40 or so minutes- only because Michigan’s youth and inexperience will allow that to happen.
Michigan will have a huge depth advantage and outguns the Chips at the skill positions. That is about as deep as I’ll get on the roster-but CMU does trot out a good RB talent and has some size on defense. Losing an experienced QB and a #1 first round NFL pick on the O-line will be hard to recover for Dan Enos.
For Michigan, look for the transition to the power running game and play action to the tight ends that didn’t fit with the scheme arranged for DRob. Losing a top flight receiver in practice will not be a factor in this game… but in two weeks…
On defense, the same can be said for losing a top LB. Personally, I feel this is Michigan’s soft underbelly still, with a distinct lack of lateral speed. CMU will try to exploit it with dump passes to backs going 1 on 1 in coverage. The secondary will be revamped ( more injuries) and will need to support. If the d-line doesn’t get controlled pressure, CMU will move the ball- even with a youngster under center.
In the end, the Chips will get worn down not so much by a stellar defense, but by an efficient and time consuming Michigan offense.
Central Michigan 17
Michigan 37
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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