FACTS & STATS: Site: Scheumann Stadium (22,500) -- Muncie, Indiana. Television: ESPN Regional. Home Record: CMU 2-1, BSU 1-1. Away Record: CMU 0-2, BSU 2-1. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, BSU 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 1-1, BSU 2-1. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 20-18-1.

GAME NOTES: A Mid-American Conference battle takes place in Muncie, as the Ball State Cardinals host the Central Michigan Chippewas this Saturday afternoon from Scheumann Stadium. The Chippewas snapped a small two-game losing skid this past weekend with a hard-fought, 35-10 victory over the Northern Illinois Huskies. It was only the second victory of the season for CMU, which defeated Toledo, 52-31 early in September. Next up for the Chippewas will be a home game against Army followed by three straight road matchups. As for the Cardinals, they rebounded from a tough loss to Nebraska, with a solid, 49-14 win over Buffalo this past weekend. This is the first time since the 1985-86 season that the Cardinals have opened the year with three wins in their first five games. Following this matchup, the Cardinals will remain at home to battle the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. In regard to the all-time series between the two schools, the Chippewas has a slim, 20-18-1 edge.

For the Chippewas to be successful offensively the team must rely heavily on the pass. CMU heads into this matchup averaging 242.4 ypg through the air, but that has led to just 26.0 ppg. Surprisingly the Chippewas used their ground game in the win over NU this past weekend, as the team rushed for 177 yards on 38 carries. Justin Hoskins led the way with 93 yards and two touchdowns, while Dan LeFevour added 42 yards and one score. Ontario Sneed, who is leading the squad with 279 rushing yards on the year finished with just 39 yards on 12 totes. As for LeFevour, he also completed 18-of-27 passes in the game and threw for 172 yards. LeFevour is finding it a bit tougher in his second year, as the QB has thrown for only 1,138 yards in five games. The sophomore has tossed six touchdowns against just three interceptions.

The slow start to the season can be blamed strictly on the play of the CMU defensive unit, which is being torched for 512.0 ypg game. The defense has been unable to stop the opposing teams' rushing or passing attacks, as CMU is being gashed for 186.4 rushing ypg, while yielding another 325.6 ypg through the air. In the recent victory over Northern Illinois, the Chippewas continued to struggle against the pass, allowing 318 yards through the air. Overall the defense surrendered a whopping 521 yards, but that translated into just 10 points. However, the unit was able to force an outstanding six turnovers in the contest, but finished with just one sack. On the year the Chippewas have now forced 12 miscues, but have struggled with pressuring the QB, as the defense has just five sacks in five games. Red Keith has been a machine on the field for CMU, as the linebacker has a team-best 55 tackles.

The high powered offense of the Ball State Cardinals was at it again this past weekend, as the unit destroyed the Buffalo Bulls en route to a 49-point performance. Against the Bulls, the Cardinals collected 507 total yards, including 274 yards via the run. Frank Edmonds, who is filling in for the fallen MiQuale Lewis, led the Cardinals with 124 yards and two touchdowns on 242 carries. The freshman should see plenty more carries, especially since Lewis is done for the season with a knee injury. In the win over Buffalo, the Cardinals also put forth a solid effort through the air, as Nate Davis threw for 233 yards and three scores. The signal caller, completed 21-of-30 passes in the win and now has a completion percentage over 58.1. Davis has also thrown for 1,436 yards and 14 scores against just two interceptions. Dante Love and Darius Hill have been his top two targets, as the two players have combined for 60 receptions for 918 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the win over Buffalo, Hill had a solid day, hauling in six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

The main problem for BSU's defensive unit has come against the run, as teams are tallying a whopping 200.6 ypg on the ground. Overall, the team is allowing 382.8 total ypg, which has led to 23.2 ppg. The Cardinals have forced 10 turnovers on the season, however the unit has been unable to get to the quarterback, recording just eight sacks in five games. In the recent victory over the Bulls, the Cardinals held Buffalo to just 87 rushing yards, and just 219 yards overall. Ball State limited Buffalo to just 11 first downs in the win and also held the Bulls to just 3-of-10 on third down chances. Bryant Haines, who is leading the squad with 49 tackles, finished the contest against Buffalo with a team-best seven stops.

If there is an offense in the MAC that can compete with the Cardinals, it is Central Michigan. However, the Chippewas have far too many issues defensively and should stumble this weekend against Ball State.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ball State 47, Central Michigan 42