FACTS & STATS: Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200) -- Kalamazoo, Michigan. Television: FSN-DET+. Home Record: CMU 3-0, WMU 2-0. Away Record: CMU 2-1, WMU 1-3. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, WMU 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 3-0, WMU 2-1. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 43-35-2.

GAME NOTES: The Central Michigan Chippewas will try to remain perfect in league action when they take on the Western Michigan Broncos this Saturday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference tilt at Waldo Stadium.

The Chippewas opened the year with a 19-6 setback to Arizona, but since then the team has been red-hot, winning five consecutive games. The most recent win for CMU was a 56-8 decision over Eastern Michigan, which gave the Chippewas a 3-0 mark in league play. Since the start of the 2006 campaign the Chippewas have collected an outstanding 24-4 mark in MAC action.

As for the Broncos, they opened the year with two straight losses, but since then the team has won three of its last four matchups. The last time WMU was in action the team grabbed an impressive 58-26 decision over Toledo, and now has a 2-1 mark in conference play. Western Michigan is 2-0 at home this season and are now 14-4 at Waldo Stadium since the start of the 2006 season.

The Broncos hold a comfortable 43-35-2 edge over the Chippewas in the all-time series, but CMU has won the last three meetings, including a 38-28 decision this past season.

The Chippewas are an offensive juggernaut and come into this matchup averaging a stout 395.8 total yards, which has translated to an equally impressive 34.5 ppg. Central Michigan has dominated the opposition on the ground with 165.2 ypg, but the team has done it in an unconventional manner, as quarterback Dan LeFevour is currently leading the way with 319 yards and eight touchdowns. LeFevour has also been solid with his arm, completing 71.8 percent of his attempts for 1,311 yards and 12 scores against four interceptions. The senior has benefited from a trio of wideouts that have been sensational, beginning with Antonio Brown, who is leading the team with 38 receptions, 437 yards and five touchdowns. Kito Poblah has contributed with 24 catches, 275 yards and three touchdowns, while Bryan Anderson has hauled in 23 passes for 281 yards and one score. In the victory over Eastern Michigan, the Chippewas scored 56 points, and most of the damage was done by LeFevour, who scored three rushing touchdowns, while throwing for another three scores. LeFevour finished with 318 yards through the air and hooked up with Poblah, Brown and Bryan Schroeder for touchdowns. Poblah finished the game with five receptions and 126 yards, while Brown hauled in four passes for 110 yards.

The offensive unit for Central Michigan gets all the attention, but the play of the defense has been just as impressive, as the Chippewas head into this matchup holding opponents to just 297.3 total ypg and only 14.7 ppg. Central Michigan has done a nice job against the pass, limiting teams to just 163.5 ypg through the air. If there was an area of concern for this squad it would be its lack of big play ability, as the team has forced only five turnovers, and comes into this weekend with just 11 sacks. The team's tenacious play defensively continued in the recent win over Eastern Michigan, as the Chippewas held the Eagles to just eight points on 255 total yards per contest. Once again the defense did a terrific job against the pass, holding the Eagles to just 127 yards through the air.

The Broncos are not as balanced as their counterpart this weekend, as the team relies heavily on its passing attack, which is torching opponents for 257.5 ypg. Overall the offense heads into this matchup averaging 374.3 total ypg, and that has led to a healthy 26.5 ppg. Quarterback Tim Hiller has been solid through six games, completing 63.1 percent of his throws for 1,494 yards and 11 scores against six interceptions. Jordan White and Juan Nunez have been consistent options for the signal caller, as White has hauled in 29 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns, while Nunez has grabbed 27 receptions for 388 yards and five scores. The last time WMU was on the field the team exploded offensively, scoring 58 points en route to a win over Toledo. Hiller completed 16-of-26 passes in the contest for 270 yards and three scores, while tailback Brandon West also threw a touchdown in the win. Nunez and White both collected two touchdowns apiece, while Nunez grabbed four passes for 47 yards, and White hauled in five receptions for 117 yards. Surprisingly the ground game was just as effective, as the Broncos finished with 252 yards on 8.1 yards per attempt. West led the way with 153 yards and three touchdowns on an eye-popping 10.9 ypc.

Unfortunately the defense has been a letdown for the Broncos this year, allowing 400.0 total ypg, and that has led to 25.7 ppg. Western Michigan has allowed 11 passing touchdowns on the year, but the real issue for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are pounding the Broncos for 182.0 ypg on 4.6 yards per attempt. Western Michigan has also lacked big-play ability and comes into this weekend with only nine takeaways (seven fumbles and two interceptions) and 10 sacks. Although the Broncos were victorious against Toledo, the defense struggled to the tune of 449 total yards and 26 points allowed. Western Michigan gave up three touchdowns through the air in the win and was once again gashed by the run, surrendering 209 yards on 4.6 yards per tote.

The Broncos' struggles defensively could leave Western Michigan searching for answers on Saturday. The Chippewas are far too powerful offensively and should have no trouble staying perfect in MAC play.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 45, Western Michigan 24

Saturday, October 17th, 3:30 p.m. (et)