AUG. 28, 2013
BACK ON
THE
UPSWING
Central Michigan
Is Confident It Can Once Again
Compete For A MAC Title
BY MICHAEL SPATH
N
orthern Illinois has changed expecta-
tions for the Mid-American Confer-
ence. A year ago, the Huskies earned an
Orange Bowl bid opposite Florida State —
they would fall 31-10 — and their confer-
ence brethren are now dreaming of the op-
portunity to play in the top-tier postseason
contests that were previously unattainable.
For Central Michigan, 7-6 a year ago
and 3-9 in the back-to-back campaigns of
2010-11, there is a more pressing concern
than a Jan. 1 bowl game. The Chippewas
were once consistent MAC title contenders,
winning three championships in a four-year
span from 2006-09, but they haven't played
for the league crown since 2009.
Northern Illinois is the favorite to come
out of the West Division and Toledo and
Ball State list second and third, with Cen-
tral fourth, but the Chippewas feel they're
on the brink of something special this fall.
"We have the makings of a very good
football team," said fourth-year head coach
Dan Enos, who was an assistant coach at
Michigan State from 2006-09. "Every team
at this time of the year is optimistic, but we
really like our roster more than any time
I've been here."
"I think they're a dark horse," Chippe-
waCountry.com publisher Steve Livingston
said. "I think the only reason Central wasn't
voted higher is because they don't have a
returning starter at quarterback and those
other three teams have well-established
Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos
has posted a 13-24 record in his first three
seasons leading the Chippewas, but hopes
are high for an improved showing in 2013.
PHOTO COURTESY CMU MEDIA RELATIONS
