2019 NCAA Division I College Football Team Previews: Central Michigan Chippawas

Central Michigan Chippawas
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
Coach: Jim McElwain (0-0 @ CMU, 44-28 overall) 1st season at CMU
Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (Capacity 30,255)

CSJ Projections:
10th: MAC (6th MAC West)
9th: Michigan
121th: FBS
56th: Group of Five
161st: Division I

2018 In a Sentence: Last season was incredibly disappointing for all associated with CMU as the Chippewas posted just a 1-win season (1-11 overll & 0-8 MAC) that cost Coach John Bonamego his job.

Biggest Shoes to Fill: CB Sean Murphy-Bunting was the 39th pick overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The press corner was an All-MAC selection in 2018 and won CMU’s Defensive Player of the Year award after posting 37 tackles, three for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2018.

Courtesy of CMU Athletics

Key Player: RB Jonathan Ward had a productive 2017, rushing for over 1,200 yards. Unfortunately, injuries held the now-senior back in 2018, amounting just over 200 yards on the ground. He has fully-recovered for 2019, however, and his return will look to improve the Chippewa offense.

Fearless Prediction: With a lot of youth on defense and lack of firepower on offense, the expectations are not going to be very high. However, CMU under new Coach McElwain, who has a history of turning programs around (at Florida & Colorado State), should at least get 3-4 wins this season.