Why Central Michigan Will Win The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
The offense might do a whole lot in a variety of way, but it starts with the defense.
Washington State is a passing team – more on all of that in a moment – but it likes to balance things out a wee bit with the ground attack hitting 200 yards in each of the last two games. However, do-it-all star Max Borghi has opted out for the NFL.
He’s done, and so is all-star offensive tackle Abraham Lucas and corner Jaylen Watson. Not having Lucas and Borghi, though, is a problem against a Central Michigan defensive front that led the MAC in run defense and was outstanding at generating a pass rush.
The key against Wazzu will be getting the D off the field and changing up the game’s rhythm. Central Michigan can do that and then respond with a little bit of balance of its own.
Star RB Lew Nichols ran for a nation-high 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns. Get him the ball, keep forcing Washington State to worry about him, and then Daniel Richardson and the passing attack should work.
But …
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Why Washington State Will Win The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Here comes the passing game.
No, Washington State won’t bomb away down the field, and it’s not the old Mike Leach style of attack with 60 passes a game, but Jayden de Laura and will keep on firing. He’s not all that accurate on a consistent basis, but he’ll throw for at least 250 yards, he’ll average close to eight yards per throw, and he’s not going to press in this.
For all the good things the Central Michigan defense does, the secondary doesn’t come up with enough stops or big things. The teams that could throw well were able to do it on this group.
The Chippewas only picked off five passes – just two in the last seven games – can get dinked and dunked on all game long. Washington State and de Laura will be happy to do just that.
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