Central Michigan

Central Michigan's offseason was defined by a significant talent drain at receiver, losing their top two targets in Tyson Davis (24.4 PPA) to Virginia and Langston Lewis (21.6 PPA) to the portal. The Chippewas managed a respectable 7-5 record in 2025 despite an offense that grades out at 117th nationally, while their defense sits at a more manageable 93rd. Joey Labas returns as the starting quarterback, but he'll need new weapons after the program lost 39.1 PPA through 16 departures and added back just 5.9 PPA via 12 arrivals, headlined by Liberty transfer running back Vaughn Blue.

JP+ projects 6.1 wins for Central Michigan in a schedule that features challenging road trips to Miami and New Mexico but offers home opportunities against Akron and a non-conference matchup with Colgate. The offensive struggles that plagued the 2025 season appear likely to continue given the limited portal reinforcements and the departure of key skill position players. If Labas can develop chemistry with new receivers and the defense maintains its solid-but-unspectacular play, the Chippewas could approach their 2025 win total. If the offensive regression proves too steep, they're looking at a step backward in the competitive MAC.