Game Day --- Central Michigan

UPDATE: This is painful. A.J. Doyle has 2 completions and 2 INT's. The Minutemen defense is pretty much on their own.

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Both team's relative positions have not changed much since last year. If CMU wins out they are bowl eligible. The MAC probably won't get as many bowl bids as 2012, so Central Michigan probably will not get a bowl bid even if eligible.

The Chippewas were blown out against Michigan (9-59) and North Carolina State (14-48). They have a three point win over New Hampshire (24-21). They have close wins over Western Michigan, Miami and Ohio.

CMU has been without their headliner RB Zirlon Tipton who has played in only four games so far in 2013. He's 38-133 3 TD's in 2013. CMU is a more balanced team this year in offense, but that will change with Tipton back. Even without him, they 4.9 yards a carry to their opponents 3.7. They've been averaging 20 points a game to UMass' 11.7.

Last year, the Minutemen led into the third quarter. CMU took the lead, then A.J.Doyle threw two INT's giving the Chippewas the ball on the UMass 9 and 42 yard line. CMU scored the final 28 points to push a close game into a runaway.

On paper, the two teams are pretty close. I expect the UMass defense to play well again. However, 11.7 points won't win it. If the offense could generate 20 points or so (something they have rarely done), it could be a close game. If not, expect the Minutemen defense to tire in the fourth quarter and another double digit Central Michigan win.

I'll be watching the game on ESPN3 with my UMass gear on. Hope the rest of the UMass nation will too. Go UMass!!!.

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The Hampshire Gazette's Mark Chiarelli says the Minutemen look to derail CMU"s bowl bid.

Jimmy Kelley of Hustle Belt predicts a 31-17 Chippewas victory.

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Bowling Green vs EMU will be the other MAC ESPN3 game today.

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The MAC blogger round table says the dust is starting to settle.

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I think winless UConn has a good chance against 1-9 Temple today.

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The annual UNH-Maine grudge match will be played today. UNH needs a win to get a at-large birth in the playoffs. If Maine wins they will be 8-0 in CAA play.

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