Last Updated on December 18, 2009 4:50 pm by drew
GMAC Bowl
Mobile,
With the first national ranking in their history but without the coach who led them there, the No. 25 Chippewas will face Sun Belt Conference champion Troy on Jan. 6 at the GMAC Bowl in
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made Central Michigan -4 point spread favorites (View College Football odds) for the Wednesday, Jan. 6 game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 66% of bets for this game have been placed on Central Michigan -4 (View College Football bet percentages).
After that success, No. 4 Cincinnati came calling. Faced with a coaching vacancy after Brian Kelly left for Notre Dame, the Bearcats tabbed Jones for the job.
"We are very thankful for the contributions Butch Jones has made to our football program, our university and our community," athletic director Dave Heeke said. "Any opportunity that arises for him is a reflection of the high-quality student-athletes and strong tradition that
Associate coach Steve Stripling will lead the Chippewas on an interim basis.
"I’m very excited about the opportunity to lead this program," Stripling, who has 30 years of coaching experience, told the school’s official Web site. "We want to make this a winning experience and have an enjoyable experience as well. This team has accomplished a lot already this season, and we are looking forward to achieving our goals of being bowl champions and finishing in the Top 25."
The Chippewas may no longer have the coach who installed their high-powered offense, but they still have the record-setting quarterback who makes it run.
Four-year starter Dan LeFevour has thrown for 27 touchdowns and run for 14 to bring his career total to 147 TDs passing, rushing and receiving. That sets the major college football mark, previously shared by
"It’s pretty cool," LeFevour said. "When you play four years in a spread offense, you’re going to get a shot at some of those."
Having a record-setting receiver to target also helps. Senior Bryan Anderson has caught at least one pass in an NCAA record 53 consecutive games, and has 57 receptions for 700 yards and six touchdowns this season. Junior Antonio Brown, meanwhile, has team highs of 97 catches, 1,020 yards and nine scores.
They also boast a record-setting quarterback of their own. Senior Levi Brown ranks second in the nation with 322.3 passing yards per game, and his 3,868 yards were the most in the history of both
"Levi is certainly deserving of all the recognition he has received," said coach Larry Blakeney, whose 153 wins are the most in
When Brown isn’t throwing the ball, he’s often handing it off to Shawn Southward. The running back ranked fifth in the nation among freshmen with 10 rushing touchdowns and gained 574 yards on 100 carries. He’s taken some of the workload away from junior DuJuan Harris, whose production fell from 1,077 rushing yards in 2008 to 471.
The Chippewas are 1-4 in bowl games, defeating Middle Tennessee in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. This is the first time they’ve ventured out of state in postseason play since 1994, when they fell to UNLV in the Las Vegas Bowl.
This is the first meeting between these schools.
2010 GMAC Bowl
Teams:
Kickoff: Jan. 6, 2010 at 7PM ET
Venue: Ladd Peebles Stadium
TV: ESPN
Odds:
Troy +4 Over 64 (+135)
Posted: 12/18/09 4:50PM ET