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FACTS & STATS: Site: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255) -- Mount. Pleasant, Michigan. Television: FSN Ohio/ESPN Game Plan. Home Record: Akron 1-1, CMU 1-0. Away Record: Akron 0-1, CMU 1-1. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, CMU 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 0-0, CMU 0-0. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 12-9-1.

GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will take place this Saturday afternoon when the Central Michigan Chippewas host the Akron Zips at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Akron fell to 1-2 last Saturday with a 38-21 setback to Indiana. The loss came on the heels of a convincing, 41-0 decision over Morgan State. Coach J.D. Brookhart is hoping his team can perform better in league action this season, as the Zips have posted a 3-5 ledger in each of the last three years against conference foes.

As for the Chippewas, they opened the year with a tough, 19-6 setback to Arizona on the road, but the rebounded the following week with a thrilling, 29-27 victory over Michigan State. Central Michigan made it two in a row with a convincing, 48-0 decision over Alcorn State this past Saturday. Although Central Michigan did not win the MAC title last season the team has still be the class of the conference for the past three years, recording a tremendous 21-4 ledger against league opponents.

With respect to the all-time series between Akron and CMU, the Chippewas currently hold a solid, 12-9-1 edge over the Zips.

Inconsistent play has plagued the Zips through their first three games of the season, as the team is averaging just 23.0 ppg, behind a pedestrian 297.7 total yards per matchup. With starting QB Chris Jacquemain recently dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons, Matt Rodgers has taken over under center for the Zips, and thus far the sophomore has struggled, completing 54.8 percent of his throw, while throwing one touchdown against four interceptions. The quarterback is also leading the team with 83 rushing yards on the year. Alex Allen is second on the team with 64 yards, but is averaging a lackluster 2.6 yards per attempt. In the recent setback to Indiana, the Zips' struggles continued as they racked up just 271 total yards. Once again the rushing attack was inconsistent, as the team finished with only 106 yards on a mere 3.5 yards per attempt. As for Rodgers, he tossed all four of his interceptions in the contest, and finished the game with 165 yards on 14-of-23 passing. Rodgers did finish with two touchdowns (one rushing and one passing), but was sacked three times.

Defensively, Akron is allowing only 332.3 total ypg and just 23.0 ppg, but those numbers are slightly skewed due to the team's shutout over Morgan State. The Zips are holding opponents to just 119.0 ypg on the ground, but against the pass is where Akron has endures some problems, allowing teams to throw for 213.3 ypg to go along with five touchdowns through the air. Akron has forced six turnovers on the year, but the team has struggled to put pressure on the quarterback, collecting just two sacks. In the loss to Indiana, the Zips held the Hoosiers to a modest 355 total yards, but still surrendered 31 points. Surprisingly it was the ground game that did in the Zips, as the defense was gashed for 180 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Akron did not come up with many big plays either, as the team allowed Indiana to convert on 10-of-15 third down chances, and all five of their red zone attempts.

After scoring just six points in their season-opener, the Chippewas have combined for 77 points over their last two matchups, and come into this contest averaging 27.7 ppg, despite producing a lackluster 306.3 total ypg. The ground game has been largely ineffective, as CMU is churning out just 106.0 rushing yards per matchup on 3.4 ypc. Fortunately Dan LeFevour continues to be the best offensive threat in the conference, completing 68.5 percent of his passes, while totaling six touchdowns (three rushing and three passing). Antonio Brown, Kito Poblah and Bryan Anderson are a triple threat at the receiver position, but Brown is definitely the go-to guy for LeFevour and currently has 19 receptions for 126 yards and one score. In the win over Alcorn State, the Chippewas only racked up 319 total yards, but despite the lack of production the team still managed to tally 48 points. Carl Volny led the ground attack with 101 yards and two touchdowns, while LeFevour also scored twice on the ground. Due to the success of the rushing attack, the passing game was not called upon as much, as the senior QB completed just 10- of-12 passes for 92 yards. With the game out of hand backup Ryan Radcliff saw some playing time, and finished 6-of-11 for 49 yards.

The past two seasons the defense for CMU was a liability, but after three games this year it looks to be a strength, as the team is limiting opponents to just 15.3 ppg on only 300.0 total yards per matchup. The Chippewas have been decent against the run, holding teams to just 127.7 ypg on a mere 3.3 yards per attempt. Coming into this weekend the defense has forced just three turnovers, and has put little pressure on opposing quarterbacks, racking up just three sacks. CMU showed it can be a dominating defense this past weekend, with a shutout win over Alcorn State. The Chippewas allowed just seven first downs and 136 total yards.

The Chippewas have been one of the elite teams in the MAC over the past few seasons and they should have no trouble on Saturday. Central Michigan is clearly the better team in this matchup and should roll through the Zips.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 35, Akron 9