Kelly/Shorts Stadium-- Mt. Pleasant, MI
Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- 7 p.m.
ESPN
While the Bobcats are tasked with . . .
Ohio Bobcats
2019 Records: 7-6 overall; 5-3 MAC
2020 Preseason Coaches Poll: Third in MAC East
2020 Preseason Media Poll: Third in MAC East
>> Quarterback Nathan Rourke is gone after a stellar career during which he produced more than 10,000 yards of offense and 111 TDs. His talent and leadership also helped Ohio become a bowl regular. How well OU replaces him is a key to the Bobcats fortunes this year.
>> Another Rourke is in the wings as Kurtis Rourke (Nathan’s brother) is coming off a redshirt freshman season. Another freshman -- C.J. Harris -- is another possible option.
>> Whoever gets the nod, he will have a stable of talented receivers as targets. Ohio’s top five receivers return. Isaiah Cox led the group with 39 catches for 663 yards and a pair of TDs. Shane Hooks and tight end Ryan Luerman each provided five scores.
>> Three starters are back up front, providing protection and opening some space for Ohio’s typically potent run game. Sophomore O’Shaan Allison gained 869 yards and scored six TDs. Senior DeMontre Tuggle, meanwhile, accounted for 11 scores. With Nathan Rourke gone, of course, the offense will try to somehow replace his 867 yards and 13 touchdowns.
>> Ohio’s defense finished third among MAC teams in scoring deense (26.5 ppg) and was fifth in overall defense. Safety Javon Hagan is gone, but eight starters return. The ‘Cats are particularly solid across the front seven.
>> One area of considerable turnover is special teams where freshmen may get the call.
Central Michigan Chippewas
2019 Records: 8-6 overall; 6-2 MAC
2020 Preseason Coaches Poll: Third in MAC East
2020 Preseason Media Poll: Third in MAC East
>> Jim McElwain’s first season as Chippewas head coach was a memorable one as CMU won the MAC East and came very close to winning the conference title. The Chips overall seven-game win total improvement over 2018 was the best among all FBS programs.
>> CMU holds a 25-5-2 advantage in the all-time series with Ohio. Central has won eight of the last nine meetings.
>> The big question for CMU is at quarterback. With David Moore unavailable, the position will likely fall on the shoulders of underclassmen. Freshman Daniel Richardson and sophomore George Pearson are options.
>> Central Michigan enters the 2020 season with a reworked offensive line. Four players who started in 2019 are gone to graduation (Center Steve Eipper, Tackle Clay Walderzak and Guard Oge Udeogu) or injury (Tackle Luke Goedeke). In total, CMU lost 85 starts from this group. • Derek Smith returns as a starting tackle after playing at guard last year and Jamezz Kimbrough will start at center. Kimbrough was a starter in 2018 and sat out 2019 with an injury. • Among those expected to start or play significant snaps up front 2020 are guards Deiyantei Powell-Woods and Danny Motowski. • Junior Bernhard Raimann has moved to tackle from tight end.
>> The Chippewas can help their quarterback situation with a talented run game.Kobe Lewis eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last year.
>> Eight Central Michigan football players earned individual accolades from the Mid-American Conference in 2019. Four of those players – Kalil Pimpleton, JaCorey Sullivan, Troy Brown and Robi Stuart -- return in 2020. • Kalil Pimpleton was named to the first team at two positions, wide receiver and punt returner. Also named to the first team were wideout JaCorey Sullivan, linebacker Troy Brown, and defensive lineman Sean Adesanya. • Tight end Tony Poljan and linebacker Michael Oliver were each named to the second team, while running back Jonathan Ward and defensive lineman Robi Stuart each earned a spot on the third team. Stuart is back in 2020.
>> CMU returns nine of its top 14 tacklers from the 2019 season, led by linebacker Troy Brown, a First Team All-MAC selection, and safety Devonni Reed. • Brown was the Chippewas’ top tackler (91 total stops) in 2019, while Reed was third on the team with 74. The other seven returnees who were among the defensive leaders a year ago are linebacker Chuck Jones, safeties Gage Kreski, Alonzo McCoy and Willie Reid, linemen Laquan Johnson and Robi Stuart, and end Troy Hairston. • >> The Chippewa defense in 2019 ranked second in the MAC, having allowed an average of 363 yards per game. • CMU ranked second in the MAC and 24th in the nation in rush defense, allowing 122.8 yards per game last season