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NCAA Football Betting Online: Over the past five seasons the Central Michigan Chippewas haven’t been great and they haven’t been terrible. The best way to say it is they’ve been average. CMU has won six or seven games and lost six or seven games. Their record over that five-year span is an average 33-31. They’ve been to four bowl games in that average stretch, but the glory days of winning three MAC titles in four years less than a decade ago seems like it’s been much longer.
2017 Central Michigan Chippewas at a Glance
Chippewas National Championship Odds: +50000
Chippewas Regular Season Win Total: 7
The Chippewas struggled to a 3-5 record in conference play and more success within the league would’ve resulted in a better overall record. The team regressed slightly in the second year under John Bonamego and 2017 will present more challenges. The biggest hurdle is the loss of four-year starting quarterback Copper Rush, who directed an air attack that ranked 26th in the nation last year.
The offense gets an overhaul in 2017. Not only will the team have a new starting QB, offensive coordinator Chris Ostrowsky is new to the job. There’s plenty to like about the offense, if the quarterback situation gets squared away. Leading receiver Corey Willis, who caught 72 balls for 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns, is back. His sidekick Mark Chapman also returns after hauling in 44 receptions.
The X-factor is explosive Devon Spalding. He’s not big, but the shifty back led the team in rushing with 758 yards while catching 31 passes out of the backfield. Jonathan Ward flashed glimpses of what he could do last season and Romello Ross returns after missing last season with an injury. The run game will have to be effective to help out the new quarterback.
And speaking of the new QB, Michigan transfer Shane Morris is a nice option. Last year’s backup Tommy Lazzaro threw zero passes, but he was in the system and learned from Rush. There’s also promising sophomore Tony Poljan. The offense will be fine and needs to prop up a defense that was ... average last season. The hope is CMU is better on that side of the ball with seven starters back. If everything goes well, the Chips could crack the 8-win barrier. If not, another six or seven victories feels about right.
2017 Central Michigan Chippewas Schedule
Week 1: Central Michigan vs. Rhode Island, Thursday, August 31
Week 2: Central Michigan at Kansas, Saturday, September 9
Week 3: Central Michigan at Syracuse, Saturday, September 16
Week 4: Central Michigan vs. Miami Ohio, Saturday, September 23
Week 5: Central Michigan at Boston College, Saturday, September 30
Week 6: Central Michigan at Ohio, Saturday, October 7
Week 7: Central Michigan vs. Toledo, Saturday, October 14
Week 8: Central Michigan at Ball State, Saturday, October 21
Week 9: OFF
Week 10: Central Michigan at Western Michigan, Wednesday, November 1
Week 11: Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan, Wednesday, November 8
Week 12: Central Michigan at Kent State, Tuesday, November 14
Week 13: Central Michigan vs. Northern Illinois, Friday, November 24
List of Central Michigan Chippewas Seasons
| Year |
Record |
Bowl Game |
| 2016 |
6-7 |
L – Miami Beach Bowl |
| 2015 |
7-6 |
L – Quick Lane Bowl |
| 2014 |
7-6 |
L – Popeyes Bahamas Bowl |
| 2013 |
6-6 |
|
| 2012 |
7-6 |
W – Little Caesars Bowl |
| 2011 |
3-9 |
|
| 2010 |
3-9 |
|
| 2009 |
12-2 |
W – GMAC Bowl |
| 2008 |
8-5 |
L – Motor City Bowl |
| 2007 |
8-6 |
L – Motor City Bowl |
| 2006 |
10-4 |
W – Motor City Bowl |
| 2005 |
6-5 |
|
| 2004 |
4-7 |
|
| 2003 |
3-9 |
|
| 2002 |
4-8 |
|
| 2001 |
3-8 |
|
| 2000 |
2-9 |
|
| 1999 |
4-7 |
|
| 1998 |
6-5 |
|
| 1997 |
2-9 |
|
| 1996 |
5-6 |
|
| 1995 |
4-7 |
|
| 1994 |
9-3 |
L – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1993 |
5-6 |
|
| 1992 |
5-6 |
|
| 1991 |
6-1-4 |
|
| 1990 |
8-3-1 |
L – California Bowl |
| 1989 |
5-5-1 |
|
| 1988 |
7-4 |
|
| 1987 |
5-5-1 |
|
| 1986 |
5-5 |
|
| 1985 |
7-3 |
|
| 1984 |
8-2-1 |
|
| 1983 |
8-3 |
|
| 1982 |
6-4-1 |
|
| 1981 |
7-4 |
|
| 1980 |
9-2 |
|
| 1979 |
10-0-1 |
|
| 1978 |
9-2 |
|
| 1977 |
10-1 |
|
| 1976 |
7-4 |
|
| 1975 |
8-2-1 |
|
Central Michigan has had a nice existence in the MAC in its relatively brief history. The Chippewas joined the league in 1975 after winning a Division II national title the previous year. Their first year in the MAC produced a second-place finish with a 4-1-1 league record and 8-2-1 mark overall. A four-year run of dominance began in 1977 when the Chips went 10-1 and 19-3 overall in two years, despite not winning a MAC title.
That changed in 1979 when the Chippewas won their first league title going 8-0-1 in MAC play and 10-0-1 overall. They also captured the league crown in 1980 with a 9-2 overall ledger. It wasn’t until a decade later, however, when the Chips experienced their first bowl game. Capturing their third MAC title the Chips represented the conference in the California Bowl, falling to San Jose State. Another conference title in 1994 allowed the Chips to play in the Las Vegas Bowl where they again were defeated.
Twelve years later CMU would taste victory in a bowl for the first time. Under Brian Kelly, the Chips would capture their fifth MAC title and defeat Middle Tennessee for the first postseason win in school history. It also started a run of three MAC championships in four years. The 2009 squad under Butch Jones had the best season in program history winning 12 games, the GMAC Bowl and ending the season ranked No. 23 in the final AP poll, a first in school history. CMU’s seven MAC titles are the most of any school since 1975.
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