The Pitt Panthers host the Central Michigan Chippewas on Sep. 6 at Acrisure Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 12:07 pm ET kickoff. The Chippewas are led by first-year head coach Matt Drinkall, who was offensive line coach at Army for the last six seasons. The Black Knights won the Joe Moore Award as top offensive line in college football last year.
Central Michigan Offense
To hire a head coach from Army means your football team is going to have a run-heavy offense. That was evident in Central Michigan’s opening win at San Jose State. The Chippewas rushed for 247 yards against the Spartans. Senior RB Nahree Biggins led the way with 102 yards. Tulane transfer sophomore RB Trey Cornist rushed 13 times for 99 yards and 1 TD.
The down side to a run-heavy offense is that the passing game is going to suffer. QBs Angel Flores and Joe Labas combined to go 8-13 for 115 yards with 0 TDs and 0 INTs. If the Chippewas get the passing game going they will have to utilize the 6-foot5-inch frame of WR Tommy McIntosh. However, the Panthers have the antidote for a big body receiver such as McIntosh. Starting CB’s Tamon Lynum and Rashad Battle are 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3, respectively.
Central Michigan’s starting offensive line averages 6-foot-4, 296-lbs. The mammoth of the line is RT Martin Koivisto, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 305-lbs. This unit, while rushing for 247 yards against San Jose State, did not give up a sack in Week 1. The level of competition will be considerably more difficult against Pitt’s defensive front 7.
Central Michigan Defense
Central Michigan runs a 3-4 defense, with 6-foot-5, 300-lb NG Jonathan Decker anchoring the defensive line. San Jose State is a pass-heavy team, so Central Michigan’s defense only gave up 75 rushing yards last week. The Spartans averaged 3.1 yards per carry. DE Michael Heldman had 6 tackles, forced a fumble and had the lone sack for Central Michigan.
Senior LB Dakota Cochran tied for the team lead with 7 tackles. Also recording 7 tackles was DB Kalen Carroll, who also added 1 pass broken up. The Chippewas broke up 5 San Jose State passes and forced 3 turnovers against the Spartans. However, in 43 pass attempts for San Jose State, the Chippewas only were able to get 1 sack.
Final Analysis
Central Michigan’s defense is a veteran unit, littered with seniors on the two-deep. The size differential between Pitt’s offensive line and the front 7 for Central Michigan is staggering. Not one Pitt OL is under 300 lbs. Pitt’s offense will be a big test for coach Drinkall’s squad and I don’t think this will be a test that the Chippewas pass. Pitt will build a first-half lead then pull away in the second half.
(photo courtesy of Green Gridiron)