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Central Michigan Chippewas - Offensive Preview

KU football comes back to Lawrence this weekend. Can KU stifle the offensive attack of the Central Michigan Chippewas?

By strathclyde
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
OFFENSE

The Central Michigan Chippewa offense comes to town this weekend ranked in the bottom 25 of nearly every offensive category. The Chippewas are fresh off of a devastating loss at Syracuse last weekend that saw the offense take the field without its primary playmakers in senior receiver Titus Davis (questionable for Saturday) and RB Thomas Rawls (suspended). The Chippewas, who are 2-1 on the season, rank 96th in F/+ and 111th on offense per Massey Ratings.

The Central Michigan offense is currently 106th in the nation in passing yards/game behind and offensive line which is last at QB protection with nearly 14% of offensive snaps ending with a sack. CM averages 3.0 yards/rush (100th) so expect KU to primarily stay in man coverage and bring pressure constantly on Saturday. The Chippewas are currently 106th in country in 3rd down conversions (30%).

WHO TO WATCH

Junior WR Jesse Kroll leads team with 9 receptions for 152 yards while Titus Davis has been injured. With their leading RB suspended and the back-up questionable for Saturday your "Shaun Wilson Breakout Player of the Game" candidate is Junior RB Saylor Lavallii who is averaging 4.4 yards per play from scrimmage in his back-up role.

KU's DEFENSE VS. CM's OFFENSE

Just to reiterate these are non-garbage time goals which, if completed, I think will show that the defense has had at least a modicum of improvement.

  • Opponent offensive efficiency – 4.5 yards/play before garbage time (225 yards on 50 plays, 270 yards on 60 plays, 315 yards on 70 plays).
  • Opponent turnovers – At least two turnovers in this contest.
  • Opponent redzone efficiency – Under 40% touchdowns on all redzone trips.

REVIEW OF DUKE GOALS

Let's take a look back at the goals from last week's game. Garbage time officially kicked in when Duke RB Shaun Wilson broke a 68 yard TD run with 0:44 left in the third quarter.

  • (Opponent offensive efficiency goal, 5.8 yards/play). Actual – 7.1 yards/play. Failed miserably at the hands of Shaun Wilson who averaged 20.4 yards/rush on 12 attempts.
  • (Opponent turnover goal, at least 2). Actual – 0 turnovers. Failed.
  • (Redzone efficiency, under 60% TD's). Actual – 33.3%. Passed, the defense held the Devils to two field goals on three trips to the redzone. Hey, it’s something. I’m not even going to mention that Wilson had two touchdown rushes of greater than 60 yards. Not going to mention it at all.

I'll check back next week to review the goals for CM and preview Texas.

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