Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

FACTS & STATS: Site: Arizona Stadium (57,400) -- Tucson, Arizona. Television: Local. Home Record: CMU 0-0, Arizona 0-0. Away Record: CMU 0-0, Arizona 0-0. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Arizona 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 0-0, Arizona 0-0. Series Record: First meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Central Michigan Chippewas head out west to open the season against the Arizona Wildcats in a non-conference tilt at Arizona Stadium. CMU has never faced a Pac-10 opponent, while Arizona has never lost to a team from the Mid-American Conference (4-0).

Chippewas' head coach Butch Jones, entering his third season, is 13-3 against MAC foes, but just 3-8 against everybody else. Still, he has led the Chippewas to consecutive bowl games, something no other coach at CMU has accomplished.

As for the Wildcats, they are coming off an eight-win season that resulted in the program's first bowl game since 1998. That success has created a bigger- than-usual buzz around campus heading into this season. Arizona head coach Mike Stoops is looking to get started on the right foot by winning his sixth straight home opener.

CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour, a three-time All-MAC selection, is the nation's active leader in completions, attempts, and total offense. Though his numbers slightly regressed last season (2,784 passing yards, 21 TDs), he continued to make plays with his legs, leading the team with 592 rushing yards and another six touchdowns. Wideout Bryan Anderson is the nation's active leader in receptions (226) and receiving yards (2,864). He has caught at least one pass in 40 straight games and will again be complemented by Antonio Brown. Anderson and Brown, who both garnered First-Team All-MAC honors, combined for 156 catches, 1,863 yards and 13 TDs in '08. No. 3 receiver Kito Poblah (43-532-3) also returns. While nobody questions the Chippewas' passing game, it's the running game that must improve for them to take a step forward this season. However, the team must replace running back Ontario Sneed, along with three starters on the offensive line.

Perhaps the biggest question CMU faces this season is the maturity of the defense. This unit struggled all season long, allowing 424 yards and 30.2 points per game. But 10 starters return, which give defensive coordinator Tim Banks a little more schematic flexibility. The heart and soul of the defense is First-Team All-MAC linebacker Nick Bellore, who registered a team-high 148 tackles. His 11.4 tackles per game was tops in the conference and ranked fourth nationally. Also returning is First-Team All-MAC defensive end Frank Zombo, who collected nine sacks last season. As a whole, the defensive line accounted for 32 sacks, which was the third-most of any defensive line in the country. Three starters return from that unit. The secondary was a major concern last season, as the team registered just eight interceptions and allowed 287 passing yards per game. All four starters return to the defensive backfield, but they'll each need to elevate their game.

The Wildcats are looking for a successor to quarterback Willie Tuitama. Coach Stoops has yet to name a starter between sophomores Matt Scott and Nick Foles, who have battled back and forth throughout the preseason. Foles is more of a traditional pocket passer, while Scott has the athleticism to extend plays with his legs. The top option in the passing game figures to be tight end Rob Gronkowski, a John Mackey Award candidate who caught 10 touchdown passes a year ago. He finished the season with 672 yards on 47 receptions. Those numbers could increase significantly, with leading receiver Mike Thomas having moved on. Wideouts Delashaun Dean and Terrell Turner combined for 96 catches and 1,173 yards, so the cupboard isn't exactly bare. The running game should be in good shape, with top backs Nic Grigsby (1,153 rushing yards, 13 TDs in '08) and Keola Antolin (525 yds, 10 TDs) returning.

The Arizona defense was solid last season, ranking third in the Pac-10 in both scoring (21 ppg) and yards allowed (313 ypg). Seven starters return from that unit, and coach Stoops feels this will be the best defense he has coached at UA. The defensive line returns every starter and virtually every backup from last season, giving Stoops the luxury of rotating in fresh bodies for four quarters. Defensive end Brooks Reed is a menace, as evidenced by his team-high eight sacks last season. Two starters are lost from both the linebacking unit and defensive backfield, but Stoops is confident in the players stepping into bigger roles this season. Sterling Lewis (59 tackles in limited action) should fill in nicely at linebacker, while defensive backs Devon Ross and Cam Nelson will provide leadership in the secondary.

Even with veterans like LeFevour and Anderson, the Chippewas are still a very young team, with 54 true or redshirt freshmen on the roster. They'll be thrust into a tough atmosphere in Tucson against a formidable opponent. That's a tough way to start the season.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arizona 38, Central Michigan 24