2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 8 - CMU at Akron
-
MAC Fearless Predictions &
Conference Page
- FREE EXPERT COLLEGE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
- Get Tickets For This Game
Follow Us @CFBNews
Like Us
Facebook | E-mail Us
Oct. 29 Central Michigan 23 … at Akron 22
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) AKRON, Ohio -- Central Michigan survived an Akron rally to win 23-22 on Saturday after a two-point conversion attempt by the Zips failed as time expired.
The Chippewas (3-6, 2/3 Mid-American Conference) led 23-16 before Akron mounted a potential game-tying drive. After a Central Michigan punt, the Zips drove 56 yards and scored as time expired on a 9-yard pass from Clayton Moore to Marquelo Suel. Moore's two-point conversion pass fell incomplete.
The win gave Central Michigan its fifth straight win in the series.
Anthony Garland put Central Michigan ahead 20-0 after a 26-yard touchdown run with 12:33 remaining in the third. The lead was 23-9 after David Harman kicked his third field goal of the game, a 32-yarder with 8:57 to play in the game.
Moore, who threw two touchdown passes to Suel in the final 2:57, passed for 228 yards. Suel had 11 catches for 112 yards for Akron (1-7, 0-4).
Central Michigan (2-6) at Akron (1-6) Saturday , Noon ET
Here’s The Deal … Central Michigan travels to the Rubber Bowl to play the Akron Zips for the first time since the 2007 season. The Chippewas won that meeting 35-32 in Akron.
Thanks to a brutal schedule that included BCS conference opponents Kentucky, Michigan State, and NC State, CMU finds itself with a 2-6 record. The Chippewas have fared much better in conference play, handing Northern Illinois its only conference loss, and remaining competitive against the top teams in the West division. Last week, Central jumped out a 20-3 third quarter lead before a furious Ball State rally handed them their third conference loss of the season.
Aside from a 36-13 victory over VMI, Akron fans have had very little to cheer about this season. After finishing 1-11 in Rob Ianello’s first season, the Zips find themselves in the MAC East cellar again this season. However, Akron has gotten better every week, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Last week, the Zips played Ohio University even for most of the first half before imploding on defense in a 37-20 loss.
Even though both teams are out of contention for a bowl game, there is still plenty at stake. The best thing a team can do in a rebuilding year is to end the season on a winning streak, which will energize the program for the 2012 season.
Why Central Michigan might win… The Central Michigan passing game will come out firing on all cylinders. It took the Chips a few weeks to get their aerial assault working, but they now rank 29th in the nation in passing yards per game. Over the past four games, they have been virtually unstoppable, averaging 354 yards per contest. Last week, CMU turned in its best performance of the season, completing 30 of 45 passes for 436 yards against a Ball State team that is 3-1 in MAC play.
They should continue to roll again this week against a porous Akron defense that ranks 101st nationally in passing defense, and 113th in scoring defense. The Zips had their worst game of the season last week, allowing 556 yards – with 344 of those yards coming through the air.
With Central Michigan surging on offense, and Akron’s defense giving up season highs in passing yards each of the last two weeks, CMU Head Coach Dan Enos has to like his chances on Saturday.
Why Akron might win… The Akron offense continues to get better each week, and with that improvement, the offense will start to turn things around. Incompletions plagued the Zips early in the season, as they failed to complete 50% of their passes over the first four games. They have corrected this over the past few weeks, hitting at least half of their passes in two of the last three games. Last week, Akron had one of its better passing games of the season, hitting 17 of 33 for 168 yards and zero picks.
This improvement will carry over into this week. Part of the reason that the Zips struggled in the passing game early on was because they played against some of the better pass defenses in the country, including Ohio State and Temple. This week, Akron faces a CMU squad that has already surrendered 300 yards passing in three different games this season, and has allowed opposing QB’s to hit 60% of their passes.
With CMU’s defense struggling, and Akron’s improvement in the passing game, the Zips should have their best performance of the season.
What To Watch Out For: Central Michigan junior QB Ryan Radcliff is the heart and soul of the Chippewa offense. As the unquestioned leader of the team, CMU will put the ball in his hands, and ask him to win the game. Radcliff has played at an all-MAC level over the past four weeks, throwing for over 1,400 yards, against better than average defenses. Last week, Radcliff continued his mastery over opposing defenses, completing 30 of 45 passes for a season-high 436 yards. Central Michigan will need a similar performance from him this week in order to beat Akron.
Akron will also rely heavily on its QB as well. While not necessarily a household name yet, Clayton Moore has had a solid season so far, improving his accuracy every week. Moore’s athleticism causes problems for opposing defenses because he can make plays with his arm and his legs. Moore put on a display of his skills last week against Ohio University, leading the team in rushing with 48 yards, and hitting 13 of 26 passes for 125 yards passing. If the Zips give Moore time throw, he will lead Akron its first victory in conference play.
What will happen: Both offenses will come out firing on all cylinders, looking to take advantage of suspect defenses. Akron will keep the game close in the early going, but Central Michigan simply has too much talent for the Zips to keep up with. Radcliff will have another huge day, and CMU will pull away in the second half for a decisive victory, improving to 2-3 in MAC play.
CFN Prediction: Central Michigan 41 … Akron 24
- Click For Latest Line From ATS:
Central Michigan -9 .O/U: 50
- Get Tickets For This Game
- FREE EXPERT COLLEGE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
|