FACTS & STATS: Site: Michigan Stadium (107,501) -- Ann Arbor, Michigan. Television: BigTen Network. Home Record: EMU 1-1, Michigan 2-2. Away Record: EMU 1-2, Michigan 1-0. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, Michigan 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 1-1, Michigan 2-0. Series Record: Michigan leads, 7-0.

GAME NOTES: The red-hot Michigan Wolverines will step out of conference action to host the Eastern Michigan Eagles this Saturday afternoon from the Big House in Ann Arbor. The Eagles had their small two-game winning streak snapped this past weekend, as the team fell victim to Vanderbilt, 30-7. This will be the third straight non-league contest for EMU, which is 1-2 out of conference this season. Next up for the Eagles will be a road game with Ohio, followed by back-to-back home matchups. As for the Wolverines, they have won three consecutive games, after opening the year with two horrible losses. The most recent victory was a hard-fought 28-16 win over Northwestern this past Saturday. The Wolverines have done an outstanding job against opponents from the MAC, posting a flawless 22-0 ledger against those squads. Next up for Michigan will be a tough home matchup against a high-powered Purdue team. The Wolverines have completely dominated the all-time series against EMU, winning all seven contests. Michigan has posted shutouts in six of the seven games, including in the most recent meeting, a 55-0 victory back in 2005.

After scoring 38 points against Howard in their previous meeting, the Eagles offense came back down to Earth last week, scoring just seven points in the loss to Vanderbilt. While the ground game was bad with only 62 yards on 30 carries, the passing attack was sadly worse, as the team threw five interceptions. Andy Schmitt tossed three of the interceptions and finished the game with only 111 yards and one score. Despite that rough outing, the signal- caller is still having a mediocre season, as Schmitt has completed 63 percent of his passes. After five games, the QB has thrown for 775 yards and has six touchdowns against just four INTs. Five games into the season and the rushing attack has had very little success, as only one player has over 100 yards on the ground and that is Pierre Walker, who has rushed for 247 yards on 80 carries (3.1 ypc).

This defense could be in a world of trouble come Saturday. EMU has done virtually nothing right thus far, allowing 179.4 ypg on the ground, while also being torched for 201.2 ypg via the pass. The defense has been able to force nine turnovers on the year, but has struggled getting to the QB, posting just nine sacks.In the loss to Vandy this past weekend the Eagles problem against the run continued, as the squad was gashed for 173 yards. Overall the defense surrendered 341 yards and the led to 30 points. The defense did force four turnovers, but that was not enough to vault EMU to a win. Daniel Holtzclaw led the squad with 13 tackles, but Jason Jones had the big day for EMU, as the defensive end grabbed 11 stops and four TFLs.

The Wolverines continue to improve this season, especially on offense. The unit is producing 387.8 ypg on the year, but the team's main source of offense has come from the ground attack, which is churning out 193 ypg. Mike Hart has been the heart and soul for this team, and is currently leading the squad with 761 yards and seven touchdowns. In the win over Northwestern this past weekend, the tailback put the Wolverines on his back once again, rushing for 106 yards and one score on 30 carries. Hart did receive help from the passing attack, which had Chad Henne back under center. Henne, who missed a couple games due to injury, had an outstanding performance against the Wildcats, throwing for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Henne has not been overly impressive this season, as the QB has completed just 56.3 percent of his passes. In just three contests, Henne has thrown for 598 yards and five scores. One thing is for sure, Henne is not short of targets, as Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington are two of the best wideouts in the nation. The two have combined for 54 catches for 698 yards and five scores.

After being torched for 73 points in their first two games, the Wolverines have settled down defensively and have held their last three opponents to just 25 total points. Overall the defense is surrendering 355.4 total ypg, and that has led to 19.6 ppg. Michigan has relied heavily on the big play this year, as the team has forced 15 turnovers, while also recording 20 sacks. In the victory over Northwestern the defense allowed 417 total yards, but the unit used its big play ability to force five turnovers, while also collecting four sacks. Shawn Crable was without question the star for the Wolverine defense last time out, as the linebacker grabbed 10 tackles to going with five TFLs, one forced fumble and one sack. Crable has been a mad man all season, leading the squad with 37 stops, 14 TFLs and is also second on the team with 4.5 sacks.

Obviously Michigan is back to playing top-notch football, as the Wolverines have buckled down defensively. Hart has been one of the top backs in the nation this season and should continue his outstanding year with a huge game against EMU.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 41, Eastern Michigan 13