Home-state feel gives Chippewas edge in third Detroit bowl game
Assistant Sports Editor Brian Manzullo breaks down CMU's Dec. 26 matchup with Florida Atlantic at Ford Field in Detroit.
QUARTERBACKS
Although junior Dan LeFevour has had an injury-riddled season, he leads an efficient offense, throwing for 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. FAU's Rusty Smith played well over his final six games (5-1), throwing for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns.
ADVANTAGE: CMU. Both quarterbacks are skilled, but LeFevour is in his third year and has plenty of bowl experience.
RUNNING BACKS
Senior Ontario Sneed, playing in his final game, leads CMU running backs with 519 yards and eight touchdowns on 116 carries. The Owls counter with Charles Pierre, who has 937 yards on the season and is averaging more than 103 yards per game in the last six.
ADVANTAGE: Even. CMU's run defense should handle Pierre, but its run offense needs to get going.
CMU OFFENSIVE LINE VS. FAU DEFENSIVE LINE
The Chippewas have struggled to consistently protect LeFevour, giving up a Mid-American Conference high 29 sacks this year. FAU senior Michael Hancock leads the team with 4.5 sacks this year, but the unit gives up 183 rushing yards per game.
ADVANTAGE: Even. If CMU is able to win this battle, it will keep up with any defensive struggles the team has.
FAU OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CMU DEFENSIVE LINE
Seniors Nick Paris (center) and Brandon Jackson (left tackle) lead a Florida Atlantic line that has given up just 12 sacks all season. CMU, despite leading the MAC with 31 sacks, has faced inconsistency all year, failing to get to Eastern Michigan in the 56-52 regular season-ending loss.
ADVANTAGE: FAU. Central needs to get pressure to Smith so he does not pull an Andy Schmitt (58-for-80 for 516 yards for EMU).
CMU WIDE RECEIVERS VS. FAU SECONDARY
Sophomore wide receiver Antonio Brown was dominant against EMU, catching seven passes for 172 yards, and should remain a force in the short passing game. Florida Atlantic's pass defense is 80th in the nation, giving up 219.1 yards per game.
ADVANTAGE: CMU, as long as it avoids an interception by cornerback Corey Small (4 picks, one for a touchdown).
FAU WIDE RECEIVERS VS. CMU SECONDARY
Junior Cortez Gent leads Owls receivers with 837 yards and eight touchdowns on 53 catches. He goes up against a CMU pass defense that was lit up against EMU and ranks 118th in the nation, giving up 285.7 yards per game.
ADVANTAGE: FAU. The team is 27th in the nation with 250.5 passing yards per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
CMU's Brown leads the nation with 20.7 yards per punt return, including one touchdown. FAU kicker Warley Leroy is 10-for-13 on field goal kicks, but has not attempted a single kick longer than 40 yards.
ADVANTAGE: CMU. The team has done a better job as of late with kick return coverage, but it may need kicker Andrew Aguila to find his accuracy again. He was 1-for-2 last week in field goal tries (a 28-yard miss).
COACHING
Longtime coach Howard Schnellenberger, who coached the 1983 Miami Hurricanes to the national championship, built FAU from the beginning and has his team in its second consecutive bowl game. Second-year CMU coach Butch Jones (16-10) is entering his second consecutive Motor City Bowl.
ADVANTAGE: FAU. The Owls have had unprecedented early success thanks to Schnellenberger's experience and presence.
PREDICTION
These two teams are more evenly matched than people think. Expect a high-scoring affair; both teams have explosive offenses with suspect defenses. In the end, expect the Chippewas to use home-field advantage and come out with extra energy after a disappointing regular season finish.
CMU 42, FAU 35
