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Central Michigan Football: Season preview, prediction for 2019

By Dante Pryor

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Devonni Reed #5 of the Central Michigan Chippewas returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Devonni Reed #5 of the Central Michigan Chippewas returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to come up with a first half pass next to Tyjuan Swain #36 of the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to come up with a first half pass next to Tyjuan Swain #36 of the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Previewing the defense

There is good news and bad news on the defensive side of the football. They were actually competitive on defense last season and there were only two games they weren’t competitive in 2018: Kansas and Toledo.

The Chippewas finished second in the MAC in defense, allowing 355 yards and 27 points per game.

That was the good news, the bad new is they have to replace all of their impact players on defense.

The three biggest losses on defense are defensive backs Sean Bunting-Murphy, Xavier Crawford (both NFL draft picks) and defensive end Mike Danna who transferred to Michigan. Redshirt freshman La’Quon Johnson could fill Danna’s shoes, but there aren’t any definite players to replace two NFL-caliber defensive backs.

Even if the offense improves, the defense might struggle because they are so young.

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