Dec 23, 2006, 16:10 GMT
Detroit, MI - The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will make their first-ever bowl appearance as a Division I-A school when they clash with the Central Michigan Chippewas in the Motor City Bowl.
It was a banner season for the Blue Raiders as the team collected a share of the Sun Belt Conference title thanks to a 6-1 ledger inside league play. The six conference wins were the most for MTU since joining the league back in 2001, which ironically was the last time the Blue Raiders claimed the league championship. It was not a smooth ride to the postseason for the Blue Raiders as the team suffered through many peaks and valleys. During the first six weeks of the season MTU exchanged wins and losses and it was not until late October that the team really caught its stride. After six games, MTU was just 3-3 on the year, but a four-game winning streak pushed the Blue Raiders overall record to 7-3, earning them a shot at their first bowl game. Unfortunately the regular season did not end on a good note, as the Blue Raiders dropped their final two games of the year, losing to South Carolina (52-7) and Troy (21-20).
As for the Chippewas they have also had a banner year and have a chance to post their first 10-win season since 1979. Unlike the Blue Raiders, the Chippewas have a little bowl experience. CMU has played in two previous bowls with the most recent coming back in 1994, when the team suffered an embarrassing, 52-24 setback to UNLV in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Chippewas did not get off to the best start this year, as the team suffered losses in three of their first five games. Fortunately the Chippewas were able to right the ship, winning six of their last seven games en route to a 8-4 regular season record and the West Division title of the Mid-American Conference. CMU captured the MAC title with a dominating victory over Ohio University a little less than a month ago at Ford Field, where this game will be played.
The Blue Raiders were not a dangerous team offensively, but the unit did just enough to produce victories. MTU closed out the regular season averaging just 23.5 ppg behind only 282.7 total ypg. The Blue Raiders only collected 137 ypg on the ground during the season and sadly enough the team was worse through the air, averaging just 145.7 passing ypg. MTU did not possess a dominate running back all season, but instead the team had two capable tailbacks that caused problems for opponents. Eugene Gross finished the season with 845 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 4.4 ypc. DeMarco McNair was also a threat out of the backfield for MTU, as the running back rushed for 563 yards and six touchdowns on just 128 carries (4.4 ypc). As mentioned before, the passing attack was actually worse than the ground game. Clint Marks was less than impressive this season, as the quarterback threw for only 1,666 yards and eight scores against seven interceptions. A main reason for Marks' struggles is the lack of a reliable receiver. Only one player had over 20 receptions and that was Bobby Williams, who only hauled in 33 catches for 357 yards and one score.
The team's efforts on the defensive side of the ball are the real reason why Middle Tennessee is in its first bowl game. The Blue Raiders allowed just 22.6 ppg on the year, while holding the opposition to just 325.7 ypg. The defensive unit was tremendous against the run all season, surrendering just 117.8 ypg on the ground, while holding the opposition to just 3.5 ypc. Unfortunately the team some issues against the pass, as teams threw for an average of 207.8 ypg. One of the bright spots for this defense was that it had no trouble making big plays, which is one of the reasons why this was possible the most dangerous unit in the SBC. MTU forced 27 turnovers in 12 games and also recorded 33 sacks on the year. J.K. Sabb was without a doubt the leader of this unit, as the linebacker paced the team with 67 tackles and 14.5 TFLs and also tallied four sacks. Erik Walden was a quarterback's nightmare, as the defensive lineman posted 12.5 TFLs and a team-best 9.5 sacks, while defensive end Tavares Jones added 9.5 TFLs to go along with 5.5 sacks. Although the unit had some trouble against the pass, safety Damon Nickson was tremendous on the season, collecting a team-high five interceptions.
Unlike their counterpart, the Chippewas were solid on offense this season, as the team averaged an impressive 29.6 ppg, while producing 380.2 total ypg. The team only churned out 127.8 ypg on the ground, but the unit's real success was its passing attack, as the Chippewas averaged a whopping 252.4 ypg through the air. Dan LeFevour was sensational in his freshman season, in fact he was so impressive the young signal-caller was named the MAC Freshman of the Year. LeFevour, who completed a remarkable 63.8 percent of his passes, threw for an outstanding 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. Bryan Anderson and Damien Linson were a dangerous receiving tandem, as Anderson grabbed 67 catches for 816 yards and five touchdowns, while Linson hauled in 54 receptions for 799 yards and also found the end zone five times. Running back Ontario Sneed also played a role in the passing game, catching 46 passes for 367 yards and a team-high six scores. Obed Cetoute and Justin Gardner also collected five touchdowns apiece, proving LeFevour has plenty of weapons at his disposal. With the success of the passing attack, the Chippewas did not depend on the ground game that much. In fact, Sneed was the leading rusher for CMU with 716 yards and three scores. LeFevour added six scores on the ground, while Marcel Archer proved to be a tough short yardage back, collecting 309 rushing yards and a team-best seven scores.
The success of the Chippewas' offense makes them an exciting team, but when combined with a solid defensive unit, this CMU squad becomes a dangerous one. The Chippewas' defense was overshadowed by the tremendous play of the offense, but this unit should not be overlooked. CMU held its competition to just 22.9 ppg on the season, while allowing just 343.2 total ypg. The team did a good job against the run, holding the opposition to just 131.5 ypg on the ground, on only 3.6 yards per attempts. Although the team had some issues against the pass (211.7 ypg) it had no trouble creating big plays, as the Chippewas finished the regular season with 27 forced turnovers and 28 sacks. The most dangerous area of this defense is at linebacker, as Red Keith and Doug Kress terrorized opposing teams through the season. Keith collected a whopping 117 tackles on the season, while Kress tallied 102 stops. Obviously Keith and Kress played major roles for the Chippewas, but no one player was more important then Daniel Bazuin. Bazuin has been the anchor for the defensive line for close to three seasons and finished this year with 12.5 TFLs and a team-high 8.5 sacks.
Both teams have played well defensively, however the Chippewas have an extremely dangerous offense, The Blue Raiders should have trouble containing CMU in this one. Considering MTU's struggles against the pass, expect LeFevour to have a huge day as he leads his Chippewas to their first bowl victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 31, Middle Tennessee 16
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