by Johnny Cleveland

A short week has taken its toll on the tailgate and website faithful, not to mention the Wolverines. Compounding the upcoming weekend is a well rested and increasingly confident group of Chippewas. CMU stayed right with Boston College last Thursday in its first of two Nationally televised games. The Chips got down early but mounted a valiant comeback and even had some chances to tie if not win the contest. With time winding down in the game, the crafty Chips moved all the way inside the BC 40, then out of knowhere they decide to run some crazy "muddle huddle" formation and end up throwing a pick to end their chance at winning. However with extra days of prep and seeing some of UM's weaknesses, we are sure to have a battle with the instate squad.

The University

Located in Mt. Pleasant Michigan

Nickname: Chippewas

Colors: Maroon and Gold

27,452 Students

4th largest Michigan Public U

Football History CMU/UM

Michigan leads series 2-0

CMU's last National Championship, 1974 (DII) / UM's 1997 (DI)

Michigan 'O' coordinator, Mike DeBord was CMU's previous head coach.

Last meeting (8/30/2003) UM 45 CMU 7

CMU 2006

The Chippewa program is definitely on the rise as they have increased their victory total each of the last 3 seasons. Head Coach Brian Kelly has them headed in the right direction highlighted by the close game with B.C. and a winning record last season.

Top players include

1. DE Dan Bazuin -- MAC Defensive player of the year last year and National DI leader with 26.5 tackles for a loss. Bazuin has already been invited to the East/West shrine game and is an All American in several publications.

2. Linebackers -- Three returning starters

3. O Tackle Joe Staley -- Allowed zero sacks last year. 300 lb's, 4.7 forty time. Also going to E/W Shrine game.

4. RB Ontario Sneed -- dual threat running and receiving the ball

5. Punter Tony Mikulec -- was named the MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against BC.

Too Bad for them