Central Michigan is rolling, following up a win at then-#23 Oklahoma State two weeks ago with a big win over UNLV.
The Chippewas (3-0) are 3.5-point favorites on Saturday against UVA (0-3), which did everything but win on Saturday in a 13-10 defeat at UConn, outgaining the Huskies by more than 100 yards, winning the turnover battle, but missing a chip-shot 20-yard field goal as time expired.
The Cavs are noticeably improving. The offensive line, in particular, is becoming a strong point, after failing to clear holes for the running game in the opening 37-20 loss to FCS Richmond, which limited Virginia to 38 yards on 21 carries.
The ‘Hoos are averaging 166.5 yards per game on the ground in their past two.
The defense is also getting better. After giving up 524 yards to Richmond and 632 yards in a 44-26 loss at Oregon, Virginia held UConn to 277 yards in East Hartford.
But is the improvement enough for a team that right now isn’t likely to be favored in a single game the rest of the way?
Getting to know: Central Michigan
The Chippewas are averaging 469.7 yards per game total offense. Senior QB Cooper Rush has thrown for 957 yards, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns with three interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 174.2.
Four receivers are in double figures in receptions – Mark Chapman (13 catches, 186 yards, two TDs), Jesse Kroll (12 catches, 205 yards, one TD), Corey Willis (11 catches, 182 yards, four TDs) and Tyler Conklin (10 catches, 151 yards, two TDs).
The running game averages 150.7 yards per game and 4.6 yards per rush, led by Devon Spalding (166 yards, 5.4 yards per carry) and Jonathan Ward (135 yards, 6.1 yards per carry).
The defense gives up 259.0 yards per game, and is especially strong against the run (92.0 yards per game, 2.8 yards per rush).
The CMU defense has forced six turnovers, with five interceptions.
Placekicker Brian Eavey is just 1-of-4 on field-goal attempts
Getting to know: UVA
The UVA offense averages 357.0 yards per game total offense. QB Kurt Benkert has thrown for 698 yards, completing 60.0 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and four interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 118.4.
His top targets: Keeon Johnson (17 catches, 159 yards, two TDs), Olamide Zaccheaus (14 catches, 157 yards, one TD), Taquan Mizzell (12 catches, 75 yards) and Doni Dowling (11 catches, 158 yards, one TD).
Albert Reid has run for 227 yards and two TDs, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Mizzell has run for 121 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, with two lost fumbles in the Richmond game.
Placekicker Alex Furbank is 1-of-2 on field-goal attempts, the miss being the aforementioned 20-yard shank at the end of the UConn game.
Preview by Chris Graham
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