2025-11-11 15:12
As I sit down to analyze Central Michigan's 2023 football schedule, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent developments in international volleyball that caught my attention. When Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara announced, "We're processing now Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips' change of federation, so I signed the papers already," it reminded me how crucial scheduling and timing are in sports. Just as Suzara, who also serves as AVC president and FIVB executive president, understands the importance of strategic planning in volleyball, Central Michigan's football program faces similar strategic considerations in crafting their 2023 campaign.
Looking at Central Michigan's 2023 slate, I'm particularly excited about their September 2nd season opener against Michigan State. Having followed this rivalry for years, I've noticed how these early-season matchups often set the tone for the entire year. Last season's heartbreaking 35-38 loss to the Spartans still stings in my memory, and I suspect Coach Jim McElwain has been using that game as motivation throughout the offseason. The Chippewas will need to capitalize on their returning starters, particularly quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., who showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman campaign. What many casual fans might not realize is that Central Michigan has historically played Michigan State tough, pulling off upsets in 1991, 1992, and most memorably in 2009 when they won 29-27 in East Lansing.
The non-conference schedule continues with games against New Hampshire on September 9th and South Alabama on September 16th before they travel to Notre Dame on September 23rd. Personally, I find the South Alabama matchup particularly intriguing because it represents what I call a "program measuring stick" game. South Alabama finished 10-3 last season and returns approximately 78% of their offensive production. These mid-major showdowns often reveal more about a team's character than the high-profile games against Power Five opponents. I remember watching Central Michigan's 34-30 victory over South Alabama in 2021, and the level of physicality in that game surprised many analysts.
When MAC play begins on September 30th against Eastern Michigan, we'll really start to see what this Chippewas team is made of. The conference schedule includes traditional rivals like Western Michigan on October 7th and Ball State on November 8th, along with challenging road games at Northern Illinois on October 21st and Toledo on November 15th. From my perspective, the November 1st matchup against Ohio University could be the sleeper game that determines whether Central Michigan contends for the MAC West title. Ohio returns 16 starters from a team that went 10-4 last season, including quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who threw for 3,256 yards before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The timing of this game reminds me of Suzara's careful planning in volleyball - just as he strategically manages player transitions between federations, football coaches must navigate the crucial November stretch that makes or breaks seasons.
What really stands out to me about this schedule is the balance between challenging opponents and winnable games. The back-to-back road games against Buffalo on November 22nd and Toledo on November 15th concern me slightly, as travel fatigue can become a factor late in the season. However, I appreciate that the schedule includes two bye weeks, on October 14th and November 29th, which should help with player recovery and strategic adjustments. Having followed MAC football for over fifteen years, I've noticed that teams who manage their bye weeks effectively typically finish 2-3 games better than those who don't.
The regular season concludes with what I believe could be a de facto MAC West championship game against Western Michigan on November 28th. This rivalry, known as the "CMU-WMU Battle," has produced some of the most memorable moments in recent conference history. Last year's 38-31 victory by Western Michigan featured seven lead changes and 985 combined yards of offense. From my vantage point, this year's installment could be even more explosive, with both teams returning their starting quarterbacks and most of their receiving corps.
Reflecting on the broader context, Central Michigan's schedule reflects the strategic thinking that leaders like Suzara demonstrate in international sports administration. Just as he carefully processes player federation changes to maximize team potential, college football programs must strategically navigate their schedules to position themselves for success. The Chippewas' path includes what I count as three truly winnable games against New Hampshire, Eastern Michigan, and Bowling Green, four toss-ups against South Alabama, Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Buffalo, and three significant challenges against Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Toledo. If they can sweep the winnable games, split the toss-ups, and steal one from the challenging category, they'll likely finish 7-5 and secure a bowl berth.
What excites me most about this schedule isn't just the individual games but how they're sequenced. The early tests against Power Five opponents should prepare them well for conference play, while the manageable November slate gives them a chance to build momentum heading into the postseason. Having witnessed Central Michigan's development under Coach McElwain, I'm optimistic that this team can exceed expectations, much like the 2021 squad that finished 9-4 despite being projected to win only six games. The key will be surviving the early gauntlet and staying healthy through the physical MAC schedule. As someone who's followed this program through ups and downs, I believe this schedule sets up nicely for a potential breakthrough season, provided they can win the close games that slipped away last year.
