The Mid-Season Report Cards are a subjective look using objective numbers with a look toward the remainder of the season as well. Teams are being reviewed in random order once they reach 6 games.
Central Michigan is the only team I haven’t gotten to yet before they played their seventh game. And since the NCAA stats site doesn’t save the week-by-week averages, the numbers are based on 7 games, not the first six, so I apologize if that offends anyone. Right, moving on.
The CMU Chippewas are out to one of their best starts ever, now 6-1 and 4-0 in the MAC. They’re now in the drivers seat in the MAC West and really looking like the premiere team in the league, with wins over Michigan State and no conference wins by less than a touchdown.
- Wins: A. Got the big win over Michigan State and have been steamrolling in the league. A 10 win season looks very possible from here.
- Offense: B+. One of the most balanced offenses in the MAC, putting up 400 yards per game, good for 43rd overall and 3rd in the MAC, but both passing and rushing offenses are ranked in the 40s as well and top 5 in the MAC. Scoring offense is leading the MAC and 15th in the country, racking up over 34 points per game.
- Defense: A. Once again, consistency against any offense and really keeping the points down- 19th overall in scoring defense, at less than 16 points per game, leading the MAC in that stat as well. Total defense is 37th overall.
- Special Teams: C+. CMU is 2nd overall in punt returns, at over 21 yards per game, but down at 90th in kickoff returns- with fewer yards than the punt returners. Punting is right around the average at 61st.
- Turnovers: C-. -1 overall, but in a strange manner- the offense is protecting the ball, with only 7 turnovers so far, but the defense just isn’t getting the takeaways- only 6 all season.
- Grading Curve: Bonus Points- the schedule hasn’t been too tough overall, but the win over Michigan State is a big one in any season for the smaller Michigan schools.
- Final Grade: A. The Chippewas are winning the big games, winning conference games, and playing well on both sides of the ball.
Remaining Games:
- at Bowling Green
- at Boston College
- Toledo
- at Ball State
- Northern Illinois
Best Case Scenario: 5-0. Boston College is their biggest threat, obviously, but they’ve certainly shown signs of weakness this year.
Worst Case Scenario: 2-3. CMU does have two good West teams left on the slate, so if both of them pulled off upsets, the season could end on a bit of a down note.
Prediction: 4-1. I think they could have a closer league game, but I think they keep rolling right into the conference championship game.