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. Just last week, I read about Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara discussing player transfers, mentioning how he'd already signed papers for Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips' change of federation. That process of transition and preparation resonates deeply with what college football programs experience when building their seasonal calendars. The meticulous planning, the strategic considerations - it's all part of the same competitive fabric that defines sports at every level.
Looking at Central Michigan's 2023 slate, I'm genuinely excited about the potential this team has to make some noise in the MAC conference. The Chippewas kick off their season on September 2nd against Michigan State, which presents both a tremendous challenge and opportunity. Having covered college football for over fifteen years, I've seen how these early-season matchups against Power Five programs can define a team's identity. Last year's contest against the Spartans was closer than many expected, with CMU falling 35-41 in a game that showcased their offensive firepower. This year, with returning starters and what appears to be improved defensive depth, I believe they have a real shot at pulling off what would be considered a major upset.
The non-conference schedule continues with games against New Hampshire on September 9th and South Alabama on September 16th, followed by a September 23rd matchup against Notre Dame. That Notre Dame game in particular stands out to me - there's something special about mid-major programs getting their shot at historic football powerhouses. I remember covering the 2021 game where Central Michigan nearly stunned LSU in Death Valley, and that kind of experience can galvanize a team for conference play. The timing of these non-conference games creates an interesting rhythm - two winnable contests bookended by two monumental challenges against Big Ten and independent powerhouses.
When MAC play begins on September 30th against Eastern Michigan, we'll really see what this CMU team is made of. The rivalry games always carry extra weight, and having covered this series for years, I can attest to the intensity that defines the Michigan MAC Trophy games. The October schedule includes crucial matchups against Buffalo on October 7th, Akron on October 14th, and Northern Illinois on October 21st before their October 26th Thursday night game against Ball State. That Thursday night slot is particularly interesting - having attended these midweek games before, I can say the atmosphere is electric, and it gives the program valuable national television exposure that helps with recruiting.
November brings what I consider the make-or-break portion of the schedule, beginning with Western Michigan on November 1st. The Battle for the Victory Cannon is always one of my favorite rivalries to cover - the passion from both fan bases creates an environment that reminds me why I fell in love with college football. Following that emotional contest, they'll face Ohio on November 8th and Toledo on November 15th before wrapping up the regular season against Toledo on November 21st. That final stretch against division opponents will likely determine whether CMU can capture the MAC West title.
From my perspective, the schedule sets up reasonably well for Central Michigan. The alternating pattern of home and away games creates consistency in preparation, and the bye weeks fall at strategic points. Having spoken with coaches and players during spring practices, I get the sense this team has developed a resilience that should serve them well during the grind of the season. The depth at skill positions appears stronger than in recent years, and the defensive improvements I observed during spring scrimmages suggest this could be one of CMU's more complete teams in the past decade.
What really intrigues me about this schedule is how it mirrors the strategic planning we see in international sports federations. Just as President Suzara carefully processes player transfers to strengthen the Philippine national team, CMU's athletic department has strategically constructed a schedule that challenges the team while providing opportunities for growth and national recognition. The balance between demanding non-conference games and crucial conference matchups demonstrates thoughtful planning that should prepare the team for postseason aspirations.
As I reflect on the entire 2023 schedule, I'm particularly optimistic about CMU's chances to improve upon last year's 4-8 record. The experience gained from last season, combined with what appears to be favorable timing for several key matchups, creates a pathway to potential bowl eligibility. The home games against division rivals Western Michigan and Toledo will likely determine the ceiling for this team, and having attended games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium for years, I can attest to the advantage that passionate home crowds provide during these critical contests.
The development of this schedule reminds me that in sports, whether we're talking about volleyball federation transfers or college football calendars, success often comes down to preparation meeting opportunity. Central Michigan has been building toward a breakthrough season, and the 2023 schedule provides the platform to achieve it. While predictions are always tricky in college football, my gut tells me this team has the pieces to surprise some people and potentially make a run at the MAC championship game in Detroit. The journey begins September 2nd, and having followed this program through ups and downs, I'm genuinely excited to see how this chapter unfolds.