There's been a few games this year where there wasn't much to say because CMU lost in a big way. Even though it's against one of the worst teams in FBS, it's nice to not have much to say because the Chippewas buried a far inferior opponent and the second half was a snoozefest in a good way. Here's a few of my thoughts.
I know it's only UMass, but a 37-0 win one week after a five-point win over Western Michigan does mean a little bit. For the first time this season, CMU buried a team that didn't have any business being on the same field as them. It probably doesn't mean a ton, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.Titus Davis. Goodness gracious. Another great game. He just keeps putting up monster numbers. He had seven catches. The rest of the team had six. Kiper hasn't given him a rating yet, which I don't really understand, but I have to think he's going to at least inquire into the NFL Draft after this season. He's got the height, the size and the speed to play at the next level. It's just a question of when.For the third time in four games, CMU had a ypc average of less than 4 yards. Tipton had 16 carries for 50 yards and Lavallii had nine carries for 10 yards. Not sure what happened to the rushing offense that we saw earlier in conference play. It's not UMass has a great rush defense. They were ranked 109th coming into today's game.Cooper Rush had a solid day, especially with the nasty weather. Not great numbers, especially considering UMass is 102nd in pass efficiency defense, but it's certainly better than the three interceptions he threw last week (WMU is 61st in pass efficiency defense).The Chippewas scored 27 in the first half, as many as they had scored in an entire game the entire season. It's not like they haven't faced defenses as bad as UMass, so again, it's a step in the right direction.Blake Serpa has played well the last couple games. Today, he had nine tackles, three TFLs, one sack and forced a fumble. The kid is only a sophomore. He could be developing into something special.It's amazing the difference when a team is plus-four in turnover margin as opposed to when they're minus-four. Last week, CMU committed five turnovers and forced one, allowing an inferior Bronco team to hang around. This week, they forced four turnovers and didn't commit any of their own.The Minutemen had eight passing yards in the first half. At one point in the second half, CMU had more first downs (nine) than UMass had passing yards. That's just crazy.A win next week and CMU is bowl eligible. I know that it's been tough watching the Chippewas get beaten pretty handily by the top teams in the MAC West, but at the very least, CMU has created something of a separation between themselves and the bottom of the conference. Obviously, you never want to assume a win, but CMU will likely be favored by a good amount and will finish 5-3 in the MAC with a win. The Chippewas went 3-9 in each of Enos' first two seasons and have now gone 6-6 in years three and four. Silver lining to a tough season is that if that trend continues, CMU should be able to challenge the big boys in the division next year (especially if Matt Campbell or Pete Lembo move on to greener pastures).Not sure if CMU will make it a bowl game, but they're returning a ton of guys next year, which quite frankly has to be the year. It's going to be Enos' most talented team yet, especially if Titus Davis returns. I think next season will tell us if this group can get the Chippewas back to an elite spot in the conference.
I know it's only UMass, but a 37-0 win one week after a five-point win over Western Michigan does mean a little bit. For the first time this season, CMU buried a team that didn't have any business being on the same field as them. It probably doesn't mean a ton, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.Titus Davis. Goodness gracious. Another great game. He just keeps putting up monster numbers. He had seven catches. The rest of the team had six. Kiper hasn't given him a rating yet, which I don't really understand, but I have to think he's going to at least inquire into the NFL Draft after this season. He's got the height, the size and the speed to play at the next level. It's just a question of when.For the third time in four games, CMU had a ypc average of less than 4 yards. Tipton had 16 carries for 50 yards and Lavallii had nine carries for 10 yards. Not sure what happened to the rushing offense that we saw earlier in conference play. It's not UMass has a great rush defense. They were ranked 109th coming into today's game.Cooper Rush had a solid day, especially with the nasty weather. Not great numbers, especially considering UMass is 102nd in pass efficiency defense, but it's certainly better than the three interceptions he threw last week (WMU is 61st in pass efficiency defense).The Chippewas scored 27 in the first half, as many as they had scored in an entire game the entire season. It's not like they haven't faced defenses as bad as UMass, so again, it's a step in the right direction.Blake Serpa has played well the last couple games. Today, he had nine tackles, three TFLs, one sack and forced a fumble. The kid is only a sophomore. He could be developing into something special.It's amazing the difference when a team is plus-four in turnover margin as opposed to when they're minus-four. Last week, CMU committed five turnovers and forced one, allowing an inferior Bronco team to hang around. This week, they forced four turnovers and didn't commit any of their own.The Minutemen had eight passing yards in the first half. At one point in the second half, CMU had more first downs (nine) than UMass had passing yards. That's just crazy.A win next week and CMU is bowl eligible. I know that it's been tough watching the Chippewas get beaten pretty handily by the top teams in the MAC West, but at the very least, CMU has created something of a separation between themselves and the bottom of the conference. Obviously, you never want to assume a win, but CMU will likely be favored by a good amount and will finish 5-3 in the MAC with a win. The Chippewas went 3-9 in each of Enos' first two seasons and have now gone 6-6 in years three and four. Silver lining to a tough season is that if that trend continues, CMU should be able to challenge the big boys in the division next year (especially if Matt Campbell or Pete Lembo move on to greener pastures).Not sure if CMU will make it a bowl game, but they're returning a ton of guys next year, which quite frankly has to be the year. It's going to be Enos' most talented team yet, especially if Titus Davis returns. I think next season will tell us if this group can get the Chippewas back to an elite spot in the conference.
