FACTS & STATS: Site: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,750) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: CMU 3-1, Clemson 3-1. Away Record: CMU 1-2, Clemson 1-1. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 3-0, Clemson 2-2. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Clemson Tigers will step out of conference action to take on the Mid-American Conference Central Michigan Chippewas this Saturday afternoon at Clemson Memorial Stadium. After opening the season with three losses in their first four games, the Chippewas have won three consecutive games, including a convincing, 47-23 victory over Army this past weekend. Central Michigan will close out its season with three road matchups in their final four games, all of which will be conference matchups. As for the Tigers, they have dropped two straight games, after beginning the season with a 4-0 mark. The most recent setback was an embarrassing, 41-23 loss to Virginia Tech back on October 6th. Since 1975, the Tigers have done a tremendous job against non- BCS I-A schools, posting a 17-1 ledger. It does not get any easier for Clemson as the team will be on the road for its next two matchups. This will be the first meeting between Clemson and Central Michigan on the gridiron.

The Chippewas continued their offensive dominance this past weekend, scoring 47 points on 428 total yards of production in a 24-point win over Army. Quarterback Dan LeFevour had a remarkable showing in the win, as the signal caller completed 30-of-39 passes for 251 yards and two scores. LeFevour also led the ground attack with 100 yards and four touchdowns. LeFevour has been everything for CMU this year, as the sophomore has completed 66.5 percent of his passes to date. He has thrown for 1,749 yards and 13 touchdowns and also leads the ground attack with 440 yards and eight scores. Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson have been the top two targets for LeFevour, as Brown is currently leading the squad with 52 receptions, while Anderson has a team-best 488 receiving yards. Out of the 14 touchdown passes on the year for CMU the tandem has hauled in eight of those scores.

The defensive unit did surrender 397 total yards in the win over the Black Knights, but the squad was able to force seven turnovers, which was a huge factor in the team's victory. CMU has struggled throughout the season on defense, allowing over 160 ypg on the ground, while also being torched for over 300 yards of offense through the air. Fortunately the team has been able to force mistakes, and currently heads into this matchup with a +10 in turnover ratio. A big concern has been the team's inability to pressure the quarterback, as CMU has recorded only nine sacks thus far. The Chippewas have also struggled inside their own 20-yard line, allowing the opposition to score on 30-of-36 red zone chances. Red Keith has been a machine for CMU this season, as the linebacker has accumulated 79 tackles on the year.

The Tigers' offensive success runs through the passing attack, as the team is currently averaging 271.7 passing ypg. Overall the unit heads into this matchup producing 398.0 total ypg and that has led to a solid 29.8 ppg. In the recent setback to Virginia Tech, the Tigers continued to have success through the air, throwing for 372 yards. Unfortunately the Tigers finished with just eight rushing yards on 23 carries, which was a big reason for the loss to the Hokies. Cullen Harper was not overly impressive in the loss, as the signal-caller completed only 38-of-66 passes. Harper did toss two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. Harper has been solid on the season for Clemson, completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards and 14 scores against three interceptions. The top two targets for Harper has been Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham, as the two wideouts have combined for 63 receptions for 791 yards and seven touchdowns. Against Virginia Tech, the two receivers both hauled in 11 passes and one touchdown apiece, while Kelly collected 174 yards and Grisham totaled 100. The ground game struggled last time out, but tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller are more than capable of taking over a game.

A big reason for Clemson's winning record thus far can be attributed to the tremendous play by the defense unit, which is holding opponents to just 289.3 total ypg. The Tigers did a tremendous job once again the last time they were on the field, holding the Hokies to just 219 total yards, including just 65 yards via the pass. Unfortunately, Virginia Tech used two special teams touchdowns and a defensive score to defeat Clemson. The Tigers did not force one turnover in the contest, but were able to grab four sacks. Overall on the season, the Tigers have not excelled in either area, as the team has forced just 11 turnovers, while also collecting just 11 sacks. Nick Watkins has been outstanding for Clemson all year, and comes into this game with 62 tackles. Phillip Merling has been the anchor for the front line, collecting nine TFLs and two sacks in the first six games.

The Chippewas have a high powered offense, that usually causes problems for the opposition, but that might not be the case this weekend. Clemson is coming off its bye week and has a tremendous defensive unit that should shut down CMU this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 31, Central Michigan 13