Quarterbacks

The Mid-American Conference’s best two quarterbacks, seniors Dan LeFevour (CMU) and Tim Hiller (WMU), play for the final time in arguably the MAC’s best rivalry. While Hiller has 183 more passing yards than LeFevour, CMU’s dual-threat quarterback also is ninth in the conference in rushing with 319 yards.

ADVANATAGE: CMU. Both teams have explosiving passing attacks. The difference comes in LeFevour’s ability to move the ball on the ground.

Running backs

WMU’s Brandon West is second only to CMU wide receiver Antonio Brown with 184.2 all-purpose yards per game. He is third in the conference with 534 yards. Last week, West rushed 14 times for 153 yards and had four total touchdowns against Toledo.

For CMU, sophomore Bryan Schroeder received the bulk of the carries last week, and he will continue to split time with sophomore Paris Cotton.

ADVANTAGE: WMU. CMU will be able to run the ball with success, but most of that will be done by LeFevour. Brandon West will be the best running back on the field.

CMU offensive line vs. WMU front seven

WMU senior linebacker Austin Pritchard is fifth in the MAC with 9.3 tackles per game and senior defensive tackle Cody Cielenski is tied for seventh in the MAC with three sacks. He also has six tackles for loss. But CMU’s offensive line has gelled. CMU’s rushing offense is second in the MAC (165.2 yards per game). Losing junior center Colin Miller for the coming weeks will hurt, though.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. The Broncos are giving up 182 rushing yards per game, so LeFevour should be able to continue his success on the ground.

WMU offensive line vs. CMU front seven

All five WMU offensive lineman are more than 300 pounds, and the unit has four upperclassmen (four juniors, one senior). But WMU is ninth in the MAC in rushing offense, managing only 116.8 rushing yards per game. However, for as much as the Broncos pass the ball — Hiller is one of only three quarterbacks in the conference with more than 200 attempts — the offensive line has allowed just eight sacks.

CMU has been stout against the run, and it is especially strong at the linebacker position with juniors Nick Bellore and Matt Berning. The Chippewas are fourth in the conference in sacks (11).

ADVANTAGE: Even. CMU has played better so far this season, but the Broncos will try to win through the air, and the offensive line has been able to protect Hiller.

CMU wide receivers vs. WMU secondary

CMU junior Antonio Brown will make his plays, but senior Bryan Anderson has been inconsistent from game to game.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. The play of Anderson and junior Kito Poblah favors a CMU passing offense against the MAC’s eighth-best passing defense.

WMU wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

Junior wide receivers Jordan White and Juan Nunez have given Hiller a consistent one-two punch. White is averaging 5.8 catches and 77.4 yards per game. Nunez is averaging 5.4 catches and 77.6 yards per game.

ADVANTAGE: WMU. For as good as CMU’s secondary has looked on a consistent basis, WMU may represent the best passing attack the Chippewas have faced all year.

Prediction

For as good as CMU has been through six games, a WMU win evens the two schools’ records in the conference. A game at Waldo Stadium favors the Broncos heavily, and Hiller will have success through the air, but CMU finds a way to win a close game on the road.

CMU 31, WMU 24

Quarterbacks
Eastern Michigan took as big a blow as possible when starter Andy Schmitt went down with a torn ACL in Week 3 against Michigan. Schmitt ranks third on EMU’s career passing yardage list (5,867), tied for fourth on EMU’s career touchdown passes list (33) and is second in EMU’s career completions list (607). He completed an NCAA-record 58 passes last year against CMU, but it is now up to junior Kyle McMahon.

This is not McMahon’s first action of his career. He had 1,118 passing yards between 2007 and 2008 coming into the season, and he is more mobile than Schmitt.

Advantage: CMU. McMahon can operate the EMU offense, but LeFevour has had eight touchdowns in the past two games. LeFevour will run wild against the Eagles’ soft run defense.

Running backs

EMU running back Dwayne Priest is fourth in the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards per game (78.8). The 5-feet, 9-inch, 190-pound back has a blend of power and shiftiness that has garnered CMU’s attention.

CMU will use the mix of Paris Cotton, a shifty runner, and Bryan Schroeder, who is more north-south. Schroeder is expected to see an expanded role after missing playing time to a lower body injury.

Advantage: EMU. CMU running backs will have a prime opportunity to rack up yards against the nation’s second-worst rushing defense. But through the first five games, LeFevour has been the main rushing threat for CMU.

CMU offensive line vs. EMU front seven

Teams have not passed against the Eagles because they do not have to. EMU’s pass defense is best in the nation (89.2 yards per game), but teams do not pass often against the Eagles because they have too much success on the ground. Weakside linebacker Andre Hatchett is seventh in the MAC in total tackles, but that is expected when teams run as much against a defense as Eastern’s.

Advantage: CMU. EMU is giving up 276.8 rushing yards per game, and that trend will not end Saturday.

EMU offensive line vs. CMU front seven

The Eagles have had mixed results running the ball. Two games have yielded 50 rushing yards or less. The two other games saw totals of 172 and 179 rushing yards. When passing the ball, EMU has given up nine sacks.

CMU’s rush defense, led by linebackers Nick Bellore and Matt Berning, are third in the MAC against the run (135 yards per game). It is also third in the MAC in sacks (9).

Advantage: CMU. Expect Priest to have success running the ball, but not to the extent of Ike Nduke last week at Buffalo

CMU wide receivers vs. EMU secondary

Arizona has been the only secondary able to slow down CMU’s aerial attack. Deep secondaries at Buffalo and even Michigan State could not stop the Chippewas from spreading the ball around to different receivers. Whether it is senior Bryan Anderson, junior Antonio Brown or junior Kito Poblah, CMU has too many weapons on the perimeter.

Advantage: CMU. Do not expect the Eagles to hold CMU anywhere near 89 passing yards (EMU’s season average) even if CMU is running the ball with success.

EMU wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

EMU senior Jacory Stone is tied for ninth in the MAC with 5.75 receptions per game.

Last week, he caught eight passes for 85 yards against Temple. But CMU’s most important unit from last year is its secondary. The Chippewas have depth and continuity in the backfield from game to game.

Advantage: CMU. The Eagles will not come close to the 58 completions they had last season against CMU, but part of that is their offensive philosophy. When they do pass, they will not be nearly as successful.

Coaching

Ron English has a background which includes defensive coordinator stints at Michigan and Louisville. But whether it is because of a lack of talent or inexperience on his part, it will take a while for the Eagles to turn it around.

Advantage: CMU. CMU’s Butch Jones is 0-2 against EMU, but focus has been the theme this week. If CMU has a letdown, it is not because of preparation.

Intangibles

A home game against a winless opponent on Homecoming should favor CMU. But the Eagles have won four of the last five games in the series, including the last two. It is a rivalry which may excite EMU a little more than the Chippewas.

Advantage: Even. Everything seems to be in CMU’s favor, but the recent history certainly sways toward the Eagles’ side.

Prediction

The past five games in the series have been decided by less than a touchdown, and three of those games have needed overtime. LeFevour said to expect a close game, but it is hard to agree. This year. the close-game trend is over.

CMU 42, EMU 14

Quarterbacks

Alcorn State senior quarterback Tim Buckley presents a different element to his game CMU’s defense has not seen. Although throwing 13 interceptions compared to 11 touchdowns last season, Buckley led the Braves in rushing yards with 418.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. CMU senior quarterback Dan LeFevour is coming off a 328-yard, three touchdown performance against a Big Ten defense. LeFevour reigns supreme over Buckley.

Running backs

Buckley and freshman running back Arnold Walker (50 yards in opener against Southern Mississippi) give Alcorn State options in the backfield to run the ball in its spread offense. CMU has had little statistical success running the ball in its first two games, but statistics can be deceiving. CMU uses its short passing and screen game to supplement the run game.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Statistics aside, the talent and play-making ability in CMU’s backfield should be able to gain yardage. Southern Mississippi ran for 398 yards against the Braves.

CMU offensive line vs. Alcorn State defensive front seven

This is where CMU should dominate. Alcorn State has an undersized defensive line, with just one player more than 250 pounds (defensive tackle Randy Carter — 5 feet 9 inches, 290 pounds). Starting defensive tackle Tim Lewis is just 248 pounds.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Freshman left tackle Jake Olson has looked impressive holding off Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed and Michigan State defensive end Trevor Anderson. He should not lose a step this weekend.

Alcorn State offensive line vs. CMU defensive front seven

The CMU front seven held Michigan State to 101 rushing yards, and Buckley will be its number one concern. Although CMU lacks some size along the defensive line, Alcorn State lacks size on its offensive front as well.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Expect CMU’s improved defense to shine. Although it faces a different spread offense, it all starts up front, where the Chippewas hold a large advantage.

CMU wide receivers vs. Alcorn State secondary

Senior wide receiver Bryan Anderson and junior wide receiver Antonio Brown both made big plays on the big stage last week in East Lansing.
Three of Alcorn State’s four starting defensive backs are seniors, including cornerback Roderick Williams, who led the team with seven pass break-ups last season. It should not matter.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Along with quarterback, this may be CMU’s strongest unit. Surely, it has the most depth.

Alcorn State wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

If there is one unit CMU may be most improved, it is the defensive secondary. Senior cornerback Josh Gordy leads a unit that held MSU to just 215 passing yards and Arizona to 202 passing yards.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Defending the spread is different that defending the pro-style offense MSU implemented for much of last week’s game, but expect the positive trend to continue in the defensive backfield.

Coaching

Butch Jones is coming off probably the biggest win of his coaching career, even if he is reluctant to admit it. This is an obvious trap game for CMU, but the correct mindset is in place.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Jones just beat Michigan State. His resume ­— much like LeFevour’s — may have lacked a win against a solid BCS conference opponent. That is not the case anymore.

Prediction

ASU’s spread offense could generate some early yardage, but do not expect the Braves to hold on for long.

CMU 45, Alcorn State 7

Quarterbacks

Despite passing for just 108 yards without a touchdown against Arizona in the season opener, CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour still has the skills that scare MSU coach Mark Dantonio. MSU sophomore quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol combined to throw for 318 yards and five touchdowns against Montana State. But there is a big difference between Arizona’s defense and that of Montana State.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Despite his Week 1 struggles, LeFevour still is the best quarterback at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.

Running backs

MSU used seven different running backs in its season opener, but Dantonio said the competition is likely down to three or four. Redshirt freshman Caulton Ray had the most carries of any Spartan with 12 rushes for 71 yards. True freshmen Larry Caper and Edwin Baker had the second and third most carries for MSU, with seven and eight, respectively. Against Arizona, Bryan Schroeder led CMU running backs with 5 carries for 15 yards.

ADVANTAGE: MSU. The Spartans’ top end talent trumps CMU’s top runners, but the advantage is very apparent when comparing the depth MSU possesses. While MSU used seven backs, CMU wide receiver Antonio Brown led the Chippewas in rushing yards with 31.

CMU offensive line vs. Arizona defensive front seven

CMU coach Butch Jones said the offensive line was a strength against Arizona, and he said he was pleased with the early signs shown by new starting tackles Jake Olson and Rocky Weaver. But Arizona stayed somewhat conservative, and did not bring too many extra men on blitzes. Olson will be challenged again by another talented defensive end, junior Trevor Anderson. But the key to the MSU defense is middle linebacker Greg Jones, the preseason co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Not only does Jones play a role against the run, but MSU utilizes him in blitz packages. Jones had 14.5 tackles for loss last season.
ADVANTAGE: MSU. The Chippewas’ offensive line shows promise and, by midseason, it could be a force. But, for now, a big defensive line with an edge presence to go along with Greg Jones gives MSU the edge.

MSU offensive line vs. CMU defensive front seven

CMU’s defensive line played a sound first game against Arizona. But still, the Wildcats ran for 246 yards on the ground. Arizona used a huge size advantage to push around a smaller defensive line at the line of scrimmage. MSU can do the same. Jones said the one difference between MSU and Arizona was size. Arizona may be faster, but MSU has prototypical Big Ten size.

ADVANTAGE: MSU. Even with starting center Joel Nitchman out with a left knee injury, MSU’s starting offensive line should be able to control the line of scrimmage. CMU junior linebackers Nick Bellore and Matt Berning, who both recorded eight tackles in the opener, will have a busy day against a deep stable of running backs.

CMU wide receivers vs. MSU secondary

CMU wide receivers failed to gain any separation against Devin Ross and the Arizona secondary. While MSU has depth at this position as well, they may not have the pure athleticism. Junior cornerback Chris L. Rucker, supposed to lead the secondary this season, was flagged twice for pass interference against Montana State. CMU’s Antonio Brown, Bryan Anderson and Kito Poblah pose a much bigger threat.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Brown missed the start of the season opener because of disciplinary reasons and later fumbled a ball during a punt return. Do not expect that to happen again. Brown breaks out, and Anderson will contribute.

MSU wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

Blair White leads a reliable crop of receivers, which includes B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell. But what might be harder to defend is the way MSU utilizes its tight ends.

Three tight ends factor into the Spartans’ gameplan. Junior Charlie Gantt team up with sophomore Brian Linthicum and true freshman Dion Sims to create mismatches across the field. All three tight ends are 6 feet 5 inches, and it allows MSU to use the spread or the pro-style offense. CMU’s secondary looked much improved against Arizona, but Michigan State will provide an even bigger test than Arizona.

ADVANTAGE: MSU. The Spartans have different ways to spread the field and stretch the middle. An athletic tight end can really spread out a defense. MSU has three of them.

Coaching

After compiling an 18-17 record at Cincinnati over three years, Dantonio is 17-10 in his two years at MSU. He has been to two consecutive bowl games and is turning MSU into a legitimate Big Ten threat every year. This could be a statement game for Jones and CMU against a winning Big Ten program.

ADVANTAGE: MSU. Dantonio’s resume speaks for itself. He has brought MSU to a level his predecessors could not do.

Intangibles

MSU has home field advantage, but CMU is just 70 miles away. While Michigan State is favored by two touchdowns, this is a game CMU has had circled since the summer. Both teams have a number of home-state players involved, and many know about CMU’s back-to-back wins at Spartan Stadium in 1991 and 1992.

ADVANTAGE: Even. If MSU wins this game, it will not be because of home-field advantage. CMU has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Prediction

Michigan State is still a Big Ten team, probably the third-best at the moment. LeFevour and the offense will need to be a lot more productive this week, and the defense will have to find a way to defend MSU’s multiple offensive styles. That may be too tough to accomplish. CMU can slow the Spartans down, but the Chippewas are not sneaking up on anyone.

MSU 24, CMU 10

Quarterbacks

If there is one position CMU has a distinct advantage over Arizona, it is behind center. While CMU’s Dan LeFevour has attempted 1,307 passes in his three-year career, Matt Scott and Nick Foles — who are fighting for Arizona’s starting quarterback position — have attempted 19 passes combined. Arizona coach Mike Stoops has yet to name a starter and said both players would see playing time.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. LeFevour has the statistics and experience to cause significant damage.

Running backs

Central Michigan failed to stay balanced last season, and the graduation of Ontario Sneed leaves Paris Cotton and Bryan Schroeder as the key contributors. Arizona, on the other hand, returns two key contributors in the backfield in junior Nic Grigsby and sophomore Keola Antolin. While Grigsby ran for 1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns, Antolin had 10 touchdowns in a secondary role.

ADVANTAGE: Arizona. Arizona’s running game is a strength. CMU is more of a pass-oriented team. When Rob Gronkowski’s injury is factored in, Arizona will likely lean on its running game heavily.

CMU offensive line vs. Arizona defensive line

CMU replaces three of five starters along the line, with junior center Colin Miller and junior guard Jeff Maddux the only returning starters. UA’s defensive line returns all four starters, including junior defensive end Brooks Reed, who had eight sacks last season and 9.5 tackles for loss.

ADVANTAGE: Arizona. It is an extremely tough matchup in both tackles’ first start.

Arizona offensive line vs. CMU defensive line

The success of UA’s offensive line may come down to two players. Senior Matt Diaz will replace Eben Britton, a second-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft, and sophomore Vaughn Dotsy has high expectations to go with his mammoth 6-foot, 5-inch 335 pound frame. CMU returns a veteran core which includes senior defensive ends Frank Zombo and Sam Williams.

ADVANTAGE: Even. Arizona’s offensive line is huge, but the inexperience at quarterback and Gronkowski’s injury may force the Wildcats to be one-dimensional. That is a huge advantage to a veteran defensive line.

CMU wide receivers vs. Arizona secondary

Arizona senior safety Cam Nelson and sophomore safety Robert Golden complement second-team All-PAC 10 senior cornerback Devin Ross. But CMU boasts the one-two punch at wide receiver of playmaker Antonio Brown and steady Bryan Anderson.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. The matchup to watch will be with Devin Ross and whoever he lines up against. But when you add LeFevour to the mix, CMU should have some success through the air.

Arizona wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

Even without junior tight end Rob Gronkowski in the lineup, Arizona will be able to move the chains through the air. Junior wide receiver Delashaun Dean will be the go-to receiver.

ADVANTAGE: Arizona. Until the CMU secondary can prove it has improved from last season, it will be tough to give them the advantage against anyone.

Coaching

Despite an improved record, Mike Stoops has only had one team finish above .500. CMU’s Butch Jones has a 16-11 record over two seasons, winning eight games in each year.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Arizona may have an easier time recruiting upper-echelon talent, but Stoops’ 24-33 record at Arizona is not too pretty.

Intangibles

Arizona went 5-2 at home last season, and CMU has a long way to travel.

ADVANTAGE: Arizona. A cross-country trek always favors the home team.

Prediction

The offense should be able to score points, but Arizona’s offensive line should be able to open up enough holes for playmakers Grisby and Antolin to run through. CMU will have to keep things close early to have a chance at the end. On the road, it’s tough to say that will happen.

Arizona 31, CMU 20