Football season is finally upon us. After a pandemic-shortened 2020 in which the Central Michigan football program played six games, this year feels a bit more normal with the return of fall football.
The Chippewas have high expectations heading into head coach Jim McElwain's third year with the program, and despite the loss of star running back Kobe Lewis, those expectations have not waivered.
Let's take a dive into the upcoming opponents and try to predict the future!
Week 1: at Missouri - 4 PM on SEC Network (Saturday, 9/4)
Mizzou quarterback Connor Bazelak is back with the Tigers after some growing pains in 2020, but proved to be a strong passer when given time in the pocket. That does not bode well for the Chippewas and their lack of experience in the middle of the defensive line. The loss of Robi Stuart could prove to be big right away to start the season. However, CMU is experienced in the defensive backfield and the offense, presumably led by Washington transfer Jacob Sirmon, should help keep this one close. In the end the Tigers will pull it out.
Score: Missouri 31, CMU 24
Week 2: vs. Robert Morris - 3 PM on ESPN3 (Saturday, 9/11)
Playing in front of a home crowd with the finalized Champions Center for the first time the Chippewas will be pumped up. Last year the Colonials only played 3 games, losing all 3. The Chippewas offense will find a rhythm in this one, and they will run away with things early.
Score: CMU 38, Robert Morris 17
Week 3: at LSU - 7:30 PM on SEC Network (Saturday 9/18)
CMU will head to Baton Rouge in week 3 to take on SEC powerhouse Louisiana State. The Tigers are coming off of a 5-5 season during the pandemic after winning the National Championship in 2019. The Chippewas haven't faced an opponent this tough since playing at Wisconsin in 2019, and the task will be just as tough. There will be stages of the game where CMU competes with LSU, but ultimately won't be able to keep up with the high-powered Tigers.
Score: LSU 44, CMU 21
Week 4: vs. Florida International - Time/TV TBA (Saturday, 9/25)
Out of a nine-game schedule in 2020, FIU lost 5 games while seeing the other 4 get cancelled. The Panthers also lost their last 2 games of 2019, putting them on a 7-game losing streak heading into 2021. Both teams should have found their rhythm by the time they reach the end of September, and the Chippewas will be looking for a big win in front of the home crowd on Family and Friends Weekend in Mount Pleasant.
Score: CMU 44, FIU 20
Week 5: at Miami (OH) - 3:30 PM TV TBA (Saturday, 10/2)
CMU has not beaten Miami since the 2014 season, with their most recent matchup coming in the 2019 MAC Championship in which the Chippewas lost 26-21. While the home team may be favored in this one, CMU will be looking for some revenge in a big way. Many of the players on the roster played in that MAC title game, and will take that with them onto the road for the first victory away from Kelly/Shorts Stadium of the season.
Score: CMU 27, Miami (OH) 24
Week 6: at Ohio - 3:30 PM TV TBA (Saturday, 10/9)
Last season the Chippewas squared off with the Bobcats in the season opener winning 30-27. Kobe Lewis ran for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game. Lewis won't be able to take the field this time around after suffering a knee injury which will likely keep him out for the entire year. This game will be a battle without a doubt and Athens is a tough place to play. CMU falls in the final minutes of this one despite being ahead most of the game.
Score: Ohio 31, CMU 27
Week 7: vs. Toledo (Homecoming) - 3:30 PM TV TBA (Saturday 10/16)
CMU has only beaten Toledo once since the 2009 season. Yes, you read that correctly. That lone win came in McElwain's first season with the Chippewas. This will be the second time CMU takes on the Rockets during its homecoming game in recent years, only this time they will look to flip the script in front of what is expected to be a big crowd. While Toledo is projected to win the MAC West this season, CMU will fly a little higher in this one pulling away at the end.
Score: CMU 31, Toledo 21
Week 8: vs. Northern Illinois - Time and TV TBA (Saturday, 10/23)
CMU has dominated the last two matchups with the Huskies winning by 30 and 38 points, respectively. Look for much of the same this year as the Chippewas start to get on a roll while NIU continues to struggle in what has been a tough stretch for the program.
Score: CMU 41, NIU 17
Week 9: at Western Michigan - 7 PM on ESPN2 (Wednesday, 11/3)
For the first time in 2021 we get some weekday MACtion, and against the program's biggest rival in the Broncos. The Chippewas have only beaten WMU once since the 2013 season, and this year McElwain will look to get his first win in 3 tries over the Broncos. CMU is desperate to turn the tide in this rivalry, and they will do just that in 2021 under the lights on national television.
Score: CMU 31, WMU 27
Week 10: vs. Kent State - 7 or 8 PM on ESPN2 (Wednesday, 11/10)
The second installment of the November weeknight games comes to Mount Pleasant for a matchup with the Golden Flashes of Kent State. While this isn't the same Kent State team we've seen over the years, much better in fact, the Chippewas will feed off of playing at home in front of a crowd under the lights. True freshman wide receiver Finn Hogan breaks out in a big way to help CMU pull away.
Score: CMU 38, Kent State 21
Week 11: at Ball State - 7 PM on ESPN2 (Wednesday, 11/17)
The Cardinals enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent history in 2020, going 7-1 including a MAC Championship win and a bowl game victory over #19 ranked San Jose State. 5th year senior Drew Pitt is back at quarterback this year along with seniors Yo'Heinz Tyler and Justin Hall at wideout. This is a good football team, and one that will be a tough out each week. After getting on a nice roll, the Chippewas will need everything to work well to keep up in this one.
Score: CMU 28, BSU 24
Week 12: vs. Eastern Michigan - Noon on ESPNU (Friday, 11/26)
CMU closes out the season on Black Friday and will be looking to complete the Michigan MAC sweep with a win over Chris Creighton's Eagles. Expect CMU to run away with this one in the home finale, winning their 6th game in a row to end the season.
Score: CMU 38, EMU 20
With a final record prediction of 9-3, the Chippewas will put themselves in position to potentially play in the MAC title game (Saturday, Dec. 4 at Noon) for the second time in three seasons. Toledo and Western Michigan will be crucial games, as those teams pose the biggest threat to the Chips at the top.
Let's play some football!
