Central Michigan Chippewas

2008 record: 6-2

2008 Sagarin: 65 (IU is #82)

2007 record: 8-6 (lost to Purdue in Motor City Bowl)

2007 Sagarin: 82

Series: IU leads 3-0

Last IU win: 9/2/2005 (20-13 in Mount Pleasant)

Last CMU win: never

Last IU win in Bloomington: 9/4/2004 (41-10)

TV: Noon, BTN

IU's 42-20 loss to Ball State earlier in the season ended IU's 20 game, 30 year winning streak against the MAC. Now, IU seeks to begin a new streak against Central Michigan, which probably is the second-best team in the MAC behind Ball State. The Chips have lost both games to the BCS conference opponents that they have played (56-17 at Georgia, and 32-25 at Purdue, a game that CMU led with a couple of minutes remaining). Although the Chips are 5-0 in the MAC, they haven't dominated any particular game; they have two 10 point wins, and the other three were by four points or fewer. CMU's only BCS conference wins ever came against Michigan State in 1991 and 1992.

Quarterback Dan LeFevour has had the sheer quantity of production that he did last year, but he still has been very good: 66 percent completions, 321 yards per game, 11 TDs and 3 interceptions. LeFevour also leads CMU with 389 yards rushing and has 3 rushing TDs. Ontario Sneed has 304 yards rushing and six touchdowns. No dominant receiver stands out, but Bryan Anderson leads the way with 538 yards and 4 TDs. Nationally, CMU is #39 in total offense (IU is #53); #19 in passing offense (IU is #67); #76 is rushing offense (IU is #43); #96 in total defense, allowing over six yards per play (IU is #80); #115 in pass defense (IU is #73); and #46 is rushing defense (IU is #80). The Chippewas allow 634 percent completions and over four yards per carry. Id IU doesn't move the ball in this game, the Hoosiers won't move it against anyone.

IU still faces a difficult road to bowl eligibility, but IU's win over Northwestern kept the season alive. CMU, as with any MAC opponent, should not be overlooked, but CMU's apparently porous defense should provide IU with the opportunity to win and set the stage for a season-defining home finale against Wisconsin.