ESPN is offering a free look at the Blue Ribbon College Yearbook assessment of Georgia’s second opponent in 2008, the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Sure, Dan LeFevour gets a lot of attention – and deserves a lot of attention, as QBs that pass for 3,000 yards in a season and run for another 1,000 yards don’t exactly grow on trees – but it’s some of the defensive numbers that are truly eye catching.
Like this one:
Last season the Chippewas ranked first in the MAC in rushing defense, allowing 156.5 yards per game, but most of that is likely attributable to opposing offenses lighting up CMU’s secondary to the tune of 303.5 yards per game, worst in the MAC and 118th in the nation.
“We got pushed around up front last season,” Jones said. “We are going to have to bulk up, improve our strength with a real commitment to the weight room.”
Jones has a point — the starting defensive line averages a mere 246.5 pounds across the board. [Emphasis added.]
The leading candidate to start at defensive tackle weighs 237 pounds. He does have a great motor, we’re told.
This probably isn’t too helpful, either:
To make matters even a little more disconcerting entering 2008, the Chips lost their most consistent defensive performers as linebackers Red Keith and Ike Brown have graduated. Keith topped the MAC in 2007 with 148 tackles, while Brown placed second on the Chippewas with 106 tackles and shared the team lead by tallying 11 tackles for loss.
Blue Ribbon’s final assessment? Solid on offense, none too pretty on defense.
| Grading the Chippewas | |
|---|---|
| Unit | Grade |
| Offense | A |
| Special teams | B+ |
| Defense | D+ |
| Intangibles | B |
Get The Picture 