Central Michigan College Football Preview, Best Players, Top Transfers, Season Prediction, Win Total 2024

Central Michigan Chippewas Preview 2024

Central Michigan is supposed to win.

It’s supposed to win, go to bowl games, and be in the mix for the MAC Championship, and it hasn’t been.

The 2021 team was all of that. It didn’t win the conference title, but it pulled down nine victories including a Sun Bowl win over Washington State.

The 2019 team was all of that. It lost the MAC Championship and bowl game, but went 8-4 before that in a strong season.

Head coach Jim McElwain started great with a strong first three seasons, and then came the last two years with injuries and inconsistencies accounting for a 9-15 run with way too many losses in winnable games. Seven of those 15 defeats came against teams that finished with losing seasons.

But this year’s Central Michigan team should survive a few big losses through the transfer portal, the starting 22 is good enough, and if QB Bert Emanuel Jr. can stay healthy and play up to his upside, the team should should win, go to a bowl game, and be in the mix for the MAC Championship.

Central Michigan Preview 2024: Offense

- The offense stalled a bit too much, especially in the middle of the season. The running game was okay, and overall the O wasn’t bad among MAC teams, but keeping the chains moving was a problem.

The Chippewa attack should do a bit more with Bert Emanuel Jr. running it. Former QB Jase Bauer left for Sam Houston, and while Iowa transfer Joe Labas is a nice option, Emanuel is the dangerous all-around talent who can take the production up a few notches - he can run for first downs, and …

- The receiving corps is loaded with veterans. Tyson Davis, Jesse Prewitt, and Chris Parker - the top three receivers from last year - all return. Combine them with some good depth, a few transfers, and the receiving ability of the backs, and there should be more from the passing game.

- Emanuel should be the team’s most dangerous runner, but the 1-2 punch of Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey can handle the work. They’ll combine for over five yards per carry and around 1,200 yards behind what should be one of the MAC’s best lines.

There isn’t a ton of size, but there’s experience with strong tackles Davis Heinzen and Brayden Swartout - he’s the best of the front five - outside, and senior fireplug Dominic Serapiglia in the middle.

Central Michigan Preview 2024: Defense

- It’s been a while since the Central Michigan defense was anything great. Last year’s version didn’t come up with enough takeaways, and overall it allowed 407 yards and 31 points per game. Making things worse, a slew of the top producers from last year were grabbed through the transfer portal, but …

- The secondary kept around a few of its stars. Excellent safety Trey Jones left for Texas A&M, but Donte Kent continues to be one of the best all-around defensive backs in the MAC able to work at any spot. The transfer portal is helping the other way with a slew of options coming in including Brenden Deasfernades from Iowa to work at corner or nickel.

- Most of the key pass rushers are gone - including Quindario Lee to Houston - but Wayne State transfer Jaden Davis is a quick pass rusher who should be big from the start at one edge spot. The tackles are okay - Jacques Briston and Jonah Pace should hold up against the run.

Jones led the team in tackles and new San Diego State linebacker Kyle Moretti was second from his spot in the middle of the linebacking corps - CMU needs playmakers here. Fernando Sanchez and Justin Whiteside are quick all-around tacklers on the outside.

Central Michigan Key To The Season

Complete more passes.
The Central Michigan defense will continue to struggle a bit, but the offense needs to do its part to help. As much as the D struggled, it wasn’t awful on third downs. On the flip side, the offense had a hard time moving the chains partly because it was so bad at hitting the midrange passes.

Overall the QBs connected on just 56% of their throws , going 0-4 against FBS teams when completing fewer than 53%. Just keep things moving.

Central Michigan Key Player

QB Bert Emanuel Jr., Soph.
The 6-3, 220-pounder has the size, the creativity, and the speed. The son of former NFL WR Bert Emanuel, he’s dangerous when he takes off, but the passing has to be sharper and he has to be healthy after missing most of last year. If it all comes together, Central Michigan can be a player in the MAC title chase. However …

Central Michigan Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss

Top Transfer In: QB Joe Labas, Jr.
If Emanuel struggles or if there are more injury issues, the Chippewas have their No. 2 option. The 6-4 junior didn’t see a whole lot of work in his three years at Iowa, but he was under center for the bowl win over Kentucky to end the 2022 season - even if it was against a depleted defense. At the very least he’s a nice insurance policy.

Top Transfer Out: S Trey Jones, Sr.
The team’s leading tackler and one of the best defensive backs in the conference over the last few years, Jones is now a part of what should be a killer Texas A&M defense. He’s not alone, though - losing LB Kyle Moretti (San Diego State) and end Quindario Lee (Houston) hurts almost as much.

Central Michigan Key Game

at Miami University, Oct. 26
There aren’t any divisions in the MAC anymore, and Central Michigan catches the worst break of having to play both Toledo and Miami University on the road. It can lose one of these two and still be in the mix for the MAC title, but it’ll be a tall task if it loses both.

The Chippewas haven’t beaten the RedHawks since 2014, and they get them first and the Rockets a few weeks later.

Central Michigan 10 Best Players

1. Donte Kent, S Sr.
2. Bert Emanuel Jr., QB Soph.
3. Marion Lukes, RB/KR Sr.
4. Brayden Swartout, OT Sr.
5. Jesse Prewitt, WR Jr.
6. Da’Raun McKinney, CB Sr.
7. Tyson Davis, WR Sr.
8. Davis Heinzen, OT Jr.
9. Jaden Davis, DE Sr.
10. Dominic Serapiglia, C Sr.

Central Michigan 2023 Fun Stats

- 1st Quarter Scoring: Opponents 82, Central Michigan 31

- Field Goals: Opponents 15-of-22, Central Michigan 7-of-14

- Fumbles: Central Michigan 16 (lost 4), Opponents 7 (lost 3)

Central Michigan 2024 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen

Can the Chippewas beat the teams they’re supposed to?

Last season they would’ve gone bowling if they won two of their last five games, but they dropped winnable dates to Ball State and Western Michigan. They were in that situation because they got rocked earlier by a bad Buffalo team.

In all four of the seven loses were to teams that won four games or fewer.

It’ll take an upset somewhere on the road and an almost perfect run at home to get to six wins, but this year’s team can do it if the main men stay healthy.

The Chippewas will be a bit more consistent offensively, but it might come down to the regular season finale at Northern Illinois to get to six wins.

Set The Central Michigan Win Total At … 5.5

Likely Wins: Central Connecticut

50/50 Games: Ball State, Bowling Green, at FIU, at Miami University, Northern Illinois, Ohio, San Diego State, at Toledo, Western Michigan

Likely Losses: at Illinois