FACTS & STATS: Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200) -- Kalamazoo, Michigan. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: CMU 3-1, WMU 1-3. Away Record: CMU 2-3, WMU 2-3. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, WMU 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 4-0, WMU 2-3. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 43-32-2.

GAME NOTES: In what is being labeled as "Tuesday Night Tussle", the Western Michigan Broncos will host the Central Michigan Chippewas in the 78th edition of this in-state rivalry. The Chippewas have been red-hot, winning four of their last five games, including a 41-32 victory over Kent State back on October 27th. With a victory on Tuesday, the Chippewas will move to 5-0 in league action and will have sole possession of the top spot in the West Division. Central Michigan will host Eastern Michigan next weekend and then will close out its season on the road against Akron. As for the Broncos, they struggled in the month of October, posting a mere 1-3 mark during the month. The team has dropped two straight matchups, including an embarrassing 19-2 loss two Saturdays ago to Eastern Michigan. Western Michigan has been atrocious at Waldo Stadium this season, posting a terrible 1-3 ledger. The Broncos hold a solid, 43-32-2 edge in the all-time series against CMU. However, the Chippewas have won two of the last three meetings, including a 31-7 decision this past season.

The Chippewas are possibly the most potent offensive unit in the MAC, as the team has abused the opposition on the ground, and through the air. The Chippewas are averaging a solid 163.7 ypg on the ground this year, while also producing an impressive 266.4 ypg via the pass. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is leading the rushing attack with 546 yards and eight scores, but Justin Hoskins has been the top back, rumbling for 441 yards and seven touchdowns. As for LeFevour, he has also done a tremendous job with his arm as well, completing 67.1 percent of his throws for 2,312 yards and 18 scores against seven INTs. Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson have been the top two targets for the QB, as the two wideouts have combined for 122 receptions for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the recent win over KSU, the Chippewas tallied a whopping 580 total yards. LeFevour threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He added 75 rushing yards in the win, but it was Hoskins who did the most damage, rushing for 151 yards and two scores. On the receiving end of the majority of LeFevour's passes was Anderson, who hauled in 10 balls for 142 yards and three TDs.

Unfortunately the CMU defensive unit has been dreadful throughout the season, as the Chippewas are being abused for 485.0 total ypg. The unit is being gashed for 184.9 ypg on the ground, while also being torched for 300.1 ypg via the pass. In the recent win over Kent State, the Chippewas put forth a commendable effort, especially against the run, holding the Golden Flashes to just 136 yards on 40 carries (3.4 ypc). The defense was unable to force a turnover in the contest, but did collect five sacks in the victory. In nine games this season, the defense has forced 21 takeaways, but pressuring the quarterback has been a big issue, as the team has recorded just 15 sacks. The Chippewas have also struggled inside their own 20-yard line, allowing opponents to convert on 84 percent of there red zone chances.

As for the Broncos, they are more of a one-dimensional offensive unit, as the team relies heavily on the passing game. WMU heads into this matchup averaging 250.8 ypg through the air, while collecting 130.4 ypg rushing, on just 3.3 ypc. Quarterback Tim Hiller has completed 63.3 percent of his throws this season for 2,067 yards, but the signal-caller has only 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. Jamarko Simmons has been the main target for Hiller, as the wideout is leading the team with 75 receptions, 865 yards and six touchdowns. At times, the running back duo of Brandon West and Mark Bonds has proven to be devastating. Overall, the two backs have combined for 1,216 yards and nine touchdowns. In a recent 19-2 loss to Eastern Michigan, the Broncos had possibly their worst performance of the season, racking up a meager 199 total yards. Hiller was atrocious in the loss, throwing for just 117 yards and two interceptions. The ground game was even worse, as the team tallied just 53 yards on 23 carries (2.3 ypc).

On the defensive side of the football, the Broncos have been dismantled by the ground game, allowing opponents to churn out a whopping 199.8 rushing ypg. Overall, the unit is being abused for 429.3 total ypg, and that has led to 32.3 ppg. In the recent loss to EMU, the defense continued to struggle against the run, allowing the Eagles to rumble for an eye-popping 255 yards on 52 carries. Overall the defense was torched for 392 total yards and also allowed the Eagles to rack up 21 first downs. The defense did force six turnovers in the win, and also collected three sacks, but has struggled in both areas on the year, forcing just 18 turnovers, while collecting 15 sacks. Another problem spot for Western Michigan has come on third downs, as the team is allowing the opposition to convert 44 percent of the time.

Neither team has played well defensively, but the Chippewas have a tremendous edge on offense and should post a victory at Waldo Stadium for the first time since 1993.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 42, Western Michigan 31

Tuesday, November 6th, 7:30 p.m. (et)