FACTS & STATS: Site: Rubber Bowl (35,202) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: CMU 3-2, Akron 2-1. Away Record: CMU 3-3, Akron 1-6. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Akron 1-0. Conference Record: CMU 5-1, Akron 3-4. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 11-9-1.

GAME NOTES: With their ticket already stamped to play in their second straight Mid-American Conference Championship Game, the Central Michigan Chippewas will take on the Akron Zips in the regular-season finale for both teams this Friday afternoon. The Chippewas enter this matchup fresh off a shocking, 48-45 setback to Eastern Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The loss ruined the Chippewas' perfect league record, and also dropped the team to 6-5 overall. As for the Zips, they have dropped four of their last five games, including a frustrating 7-0 loss to Miami-Ohio last week. The loss drops the Zips to just 3-4 in league play and 4-7 overall. Last season, the Chippewas slipped past the Zips, 24-21, and because of that victory Central Michigan holds a slim 11-9-1 edge in the all-time series.

The Chippewas possess an extremely dangerous and well-balanced offensive attack, one that can punish on the ground, or through the air. The squad is rushing for 168.5 ypg on the year, while throwing for an outstanding 261.7 ypg. Dan LeFevour has done it all for Central Michigan, as the quarterback is pacing the rushing attack with 706 yards and 13 scores, while also throwing for 2,793 yards and 20 TDs. LeFevour has completed 66.7 percent of his attempts and is without question one of, if not the best quarterback in the entire MAC. The main options for LeFevour are Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. Brown has a team-high 77 receptions for 705 yards and five touchdowns, while Anderson has caught 69 passes for a team-leading 838 yards and six TDs. In the recent loss to Eastern Michigan, the Chippewas posted 477 total yards. Once again LeFevour led the way, as the QB threw for 246 yards and one score, while also rushing for 88 yards and three touchdowns. In the loss, Brown caught six passes, breaking the school record for receptions in a single season.

Unfortunately CMU's defensive unit has not enjoy the same success. In fact, the team is being pounded for 474.9 total yards per contest. CMU is being gashed for 180.5 ypg on the ground, and a whopping 294.5 ypg through the air. In the recent loss to EMU, the Chippewas were embarrassed, especially against the run, as the Eagles rumbled for 214 yards on 4.4 ypc. In the setback, the team only forced one turnover, and finished the game with zero sacks. In 11 matchups this season, the defense has forced 23 turnovers, but getting to the quarterback has been a huge issue, as the squad has tallied just 17 sacks. Red Keith has been the motor for this defensive unit, as the linebacker is currently pacing the team with 116 total tackles.

The Zips have been terrible throughout most of the season offensively and the team's struggles continued this past Wednesday, as the squad was shut out by Miami-Ohio. In the setback, the Zips tallied a pathetic 216 total yards of production. The ground game finished with 100 yards on a mere 2.8 ypc. The passing attack was just as bad, as quarterback Chris Jacquemain struggled mightily, completing just 12-of-33 passes for just 116 yards. He tossed two interceptions in the contest and was sacked once. Jacquemain has been inconsistent throughout the season and heads into this finale with a completion percentage of 55.3 percent. The signal caller has thrown for only 1,413 yards and has 10 scores against just nine interceptions. The only bright spot in the loss to Miami was the play of wideout Jabari Arthur, who caught six passes for 73 yards. The six receptions during the game give Arthur the school's single season reception record with 78 catches.

In the loss to Miami-Ohio, the defense put forth a tremendous effort and if not for a defensive touchdown by the RedHawks, that matchup would have went into overtime scoreless. Akron held Miami to just 320 total yards of offense, including 131 yards on 37 carries (3.5 ypc). The defense was able to force four turnovers in the contest, but unfortunately the team put very little pressure on the quarterback. Brion Stokes has been a monster on the defensive side, racking up team highs in tackles (86), TFLs (17), and sacks (5.5).

Although the Chippewas have the West Division already locked up, do not expect this squad to sit back and take it easy. CMU will use this matchup to prepare for its title game on December 1st.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 34, Akron 17

Friday, November 23rd, 11:00 a.m. (et)