“We have worked hard over the summer to improve our team. We just need to keep working hard and keep getting better,” senior defensive back Tedaro France said.

Predicted to finish fifth in the MAC West Division the Chippewas are out to prove sports writers wrong.

“We know that sports writers write how they do that’s for them. But we are the ones that play the football, play the game, we do all the practicing. As for being picked fifth that’s no problem for us, we have to go out and play. There is no looking at that and saying 'ah man we are going to finish fifth,' we have to practice and play,” senior defensive back Rico Epps said.

The Chippewas are slated to finish fifth after last season where they had a pass defense that was No. 1 in the nation holding opponents to only 149.7 yards a game through the air.

They return three out of the four players return from the secondary. Seniors France, Epps and Wayne Dudley return. However, only France and Epps return to the starting line-up as Dudley is injured.

The secondary lost CMU’s all-time leading tackler in Brian Leigeb.

The problem with the Chippewas defense is that they didn’t have the depth they needed. Opposing teams exploited that by running them into the ground, racking up 267.6 yards a game. The Chippewas hope that will change with a healthy linebacker in Darvin Lewis. Lewis was the team's second leading tackler last season racking up 113 on the year.

“He is really healthy. He’s playing at 100 mph right now, he’s fast, he’s strong and he’s playing like all. I am really excited about our linebackers. I really think they are going to play better,” DeBord said.

For the Chippewa's defense to improve, they have to tackle.

“The thing we have to do is tackle and religiously run to the ball, and take away all the big plays,” Epps said.

“Nothing ever changes on defense. You still have to tackle, tackle, tackle. We have to run religiously to the ball, pursue it, and gang tackle, that is what CMU defense is pride on and that is how it has to stay.”

On offense sophomore quarter back Derrick Vickers is back. He saw action in 10 games last season throwing for 1059 yards and seven touchdowns.

“He’s a better player but he’s still in the developing process. When ever you are in the developing process it is going to take time. He needs more reps, more game experience, he needs the whole deal,” DeBord said.

In the back field, the starting job is still up for grabs but in all likelihood junior Robbie Mixon should be in the backfield come Thursday night. Mixon is under pressure from backup halfbacks sophomore Keenan Lawhorne, and sophomore Terrence Jackson. Mixon played in five games last season running the ball 89 times for 285 yards.

At the tight end spot, freshman Dave Kurzen has stepped up and is competing with Troy Humphrey, who was recruited as a defensive end, has been taking snaps as a tight end.

As for the receivers, they are young and talented. Sophomore Dante McKnight, junior Roderick Means and junior Rob Turner are the starters. Turner is the only on who has a catch in a game. He had two catches last year for 25 yards.

Of course the offense and the defense are made possible only by the lines.

“The defensive line can be playing decently when your linebackers are undersized or banged up or you don’t have a lot of depth it doesn’t make for a lot of depth. I don’t know if our D-line is playing so badly as much as we didn’t have enough depth at linebacker to help stop the run,” DeBord said.

As for the offensive line DeBord said they have the potential.

“They are committed to becoming the best in the MAC. I think that we have every possibility to having a really good defensive line. I think that they are stronger, have better run blocking technique, and I think they are playing tougher. They are finishing their blocks and not fall off a block and be tough,” he said.

The Chippewas coaches are seeing improvement in the young team.

“We knew where we were before and where we had to get to. Now we will find out how much has been made. And see how far we are now and if we are there. You don’t know that before the year starts. You see things that show improvement, that show that you are faster and show your tougher. But until you get into the games you don’t know,” DeBord said.

“We have as tough as an early schedule as you want. We open up with Eastern Kentucky, they are winningest 1-AA program. Then we go to Michigan State and then to Boise State, who lost one game and won a bowl game. Then we host Toledo State who goes 10-1 and beats Penn State. So we will see how we measure up early.”