Central Michigan Football Schedule Breakdown and Key Games to Watch This Season
As I sit down to analyze Central Michigan's upcoming football season, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent developments in international volleyball that caught my attention. Just as Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara recently processed the federation changes for Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips, signaling strategic shifts in team composition, Central Michigan's football program is undergoing its own transformation under coach Jim McElwain. Having followed Mid-American Conference football for over a decade, I've seen how roster changes and strategic adjustments can dramatically alter a team's trajectory, much like those volleyball federation transfers Suzara mentioned overseeing.
The Chippewas' 2023 schedule presents both familiar challenges and intriguing new opportunities that could define their season. Looking at the non-conference slate, I'm particularly fascinated by their September 9th matchup against Michigan State. This in-state rivalry has produced some memorable moments over the years, and having attended three of these contests personally, I can attest to the electric atmosphere at Kelly/Shorts Stadium when the Spartans come to town. Last year's game against the Spartans saw Central Michigan put up a respectable 20 points against a Power Five defense, and I believe this year's squad might have even better tools to test Michigan State's secondary. The departure of key offensive players from last season does concern me somewhat, but I've been impressed with the development of quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., whose dual-threat capabilities could give the Spartans fits if the offensive line can provide adequate protection.
What really excites me about this schedule is how it builds toward conference play. The MAC portion begins with back-to-back road games against Buffalo and Ohio University in October, which I view as a critical early test of the team's maturity. Having covered MAC football since 2015, I've noticed that teams who can secure at least one road victory in these early conference matchups tend to build momentum that carries through November. The October 21st home game against Northern Illinois stands out to me as potentially decisive - the Huskies have been a thorn in Central Michigan's side recently, winning four of the last five meetings. I distinctly remember last year's 31-28 loss in DeKalb where a failed fourth-quarter drive ultimately cost the Chippewas the game. That memory still stings, and I'm betting it does for the returning players too.
The final stretch of November features what I consider the most intriguing game on the schedule - the November 8th Wednesday night showdown against Western Michigan in the annual Battle for the Victory Cannon. As someone who's attended this rivalry game seven times, I can confidently say there's nothing quite like the energy when these two programs meet. Last year's 12-10 defensive struggle was one of the most compelling games I watched all season, though admittedly frustrating for Chippewa fans who saw several scoring opportunities slip away. The timing of this year's edition, positioned as it is in the middle of the week for national television, adds another layer of pressure that I believe favors the more experienced squad. With Western Michigan returning only 11 starters compared to Central Michigan's 16, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Chippewas' chances to reclaim the cannon that's been in Kalamazoo for the past two seasons.
What makes this schedule particularly challenging, in my assessment, is the combination of early Power Five tests and the compressed MAC conference slate. The Chippewas face three teams that participated in bowl games last season, including the November 15th road test against Toledo, which I've circled as potentially determining the MAC West division winner. The Rockets have dominated this series recently, winning the last four meetings by an average margin of 17 points. Having reviewed the game tape from last year's 38-17 loss, I noticed several defensive breakdowns in coverage that I'm hoping the coaching staff has addressed during spring practices. The development of the secondary, specifically the cornerback position, will be crucial against Toledo's potent passing attack that returns 82% of its production from last season.
As the season progresses into late November, the November 24th regular-season finale against Eastern Michigan takes on added significance. This rivalry game has produced unexpected outcomes before, and I recall specifically the 2019 matchup where Eastern Michigan spoiled Central Michigan's division title hopes with a last-second field goal. The Eagles' defensive scheme has historically given Central Michigan trouble, particularly their ability to generate pressure without blitzing heavily. I've calculated that over the past three meetings, Central Michigan quarterbacks have been sacked 14 times against Eastern Michigan, a statistic that must improve if the Chippewas hope to secure what could be a critical sixth win for bowl eligibility.
Reflecting on the complete schedule, I'm particularly interested in how the team manages the emotional peaks and valleys throughout the season. The early September matchup against New Hampshire, while perhaps less glamorous than the Michigan State game, presents its own challenges against a FCS program known for pulling upsets. I've seen too many MAC teams overlook these apparent "tune-up" games only to find themselves in fourth-quarter dogfights. The coaching staff's ability to maintain focus throughout what I count as 12 consecutive weeks of competitive football will likely determine whether Central Michigan can improve upon last year's 5-7 record. My prediction, for what it's worth, is that this team finds a way to reach 7-5, with key victories coming against Western Michigan and Toledo in what I anticipate will be high-scoring affairs. The development of younger players during the non-conference schedule will be crucial, much like how strategic roster changes in other sports - similar to those volleyball federation transfers Suzara mentioned - can reshape a team's competitive outlook. The pieces appear to be there for a bounce-back season, but as I've learned from watching MAC football all these years, the difference between 5-7 and 7-5 often comes down to winning those nail-biting fourth quarters that define competitive athletics.