Central Michigan (8-2) at Ball State (1-9)
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, November 18th, 8:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Scheumann Stadium (22,500) -- Muncie, Indiana. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: CMU 4-0, Ball State 0-5. Away Record: CMU 4-2, Ball State 1-4. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Ball State 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 6-0, Ball State 1-5. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 23-19-1.
GAME NOTES: The Central Michigan Chippewas will try to remain perfect in Mid- American Conference action when they take on the Ball State Cardinals Wednesday evening at Scheumann Stadium.
After suffering a 31-10 setback to Boston College on Halloween, the Chippewas rebounded in their next matchup by pounding Toledo, 56-28. With the victory over the Rockets, the Chippewas are now 6-0 in MAC play and with a win this Wednesday Central Michigan will move to 7-0 in league action for the first time since the 1979 season. Since taking over at Central Michigan, Butch Jones has led the Chippewas to an outstanding 19-3 mark against league foes.
As for the Cardinals, it has been a nightmare of a season, as the team has dropped nine of its 10 matchups, including two in a row. The most recent setback for Ball State was a tough, 26-20 loss to Northern Illinois. The loss to the Huskies dropped Ball State to a pathetic 1-5 in MAC action.
With respect to the all-time series, the Chippewas have a slim, 23-19-1 edge over Ball State, but the Cardinals won the most recent matchup by a 31-24 margin.
The Chippewas have one of the most dangerous offensive units in the MAC, and that is largely due to the man under center in Dan LeFevour. LeFevour has dominated league opponents for four years now, and this year has been no different, as the signal caller has completed 70.0 percent of his passes for 2,189 yards and 18 scores against five interceptions. What makes LeFevour even more valuable is that he is currently pacing the team on the ground as well, rushing for 567 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a whole, CMU is churning out a respectable 168.7 rushing ypg, and that is somewhat shocking since the team's quarterback is the top run producer, and the second best option is the team's top wideout in Antonio Brown (298 yards and two touchdowns on the ground). On top of his rushing abilities, Brown has also been the top option for LeFevour, and comes into this matchup with 69 receptions, 734 yards and eight touchdowns. In the recent win over Toledo the Chippewas were once again paced by Lefevour. The quarterback only rushed for 19 yards, but scored four rushing touchdowns, while Bryan Schroeder led the way with 105 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. LeFevour also threw for 341 yards in the contest and two scores, and one of those touchdowns went to Brown, who finished with 129 yards on 13 receptions.
Usually overlooked because of the success of offense has been the play of the CMU defense. Central Michigan is currently holding the opposition to just 18.0 ppg, and has done a tremendous job against the run, limiting teams to just 119.1 ypg on a mere 3.5 ypc. One area of concern for this unit has been its inability to force turnovers, as the team comes into this matchup with just 13 takeaways (eight interceptions and five fumbles). The team has been slightly better at getting to the quarterback though, as the team has racked up 18 sacks. The Chippewas however, made sure they would cause mistakes in their recent game against Toledo and by the final whistle the defense had forced five turnovers. Central Michigan held the Rockets to just 131 rushing yards on 3.6 yards per attempt, but the defense did allow three rushing touchdowns. Nick Bellore racked up 10 tackles in the contest and now has a team- best 98 stops on the year.
Offense has been tough to come by for Ball State, as the team heads into this matchup averaging just 20.5 ppg behind a lackluster 308.7 total ypg. The majority of the team's success has come from the ground game, which is churning out 165.0 ypg. MiQuale Lewis is currently pacing the team with 792 yards and four touchdowns, while Cory Sykes has rumbled for 404 yards and three touchdowns. Tanner Justice has started the last two games since Kelly Page was lost for the season, but he has struggled under center, completing less than 50.0 percent of his passes for just 418 yards and two touchdowns. The troubles for Ball State continued in the team's recent loss to NIU, as the Cardinals totaled just 301 yards. Skyes paced the team with 75 rushing yards, while Lewis added 68 yards on nine totes, but it was Eric Williams that scored the team's lone rushing touchdown. Although the team was defeated, Justice did not have a terrible showing, as the quarterback threw for 134 yards and one touchdown.
On top of the poor play offensively, the defense has also been a mess for Ball State, as the Cardinals head into this contest allowing 28.6 ppg behind 366.5 total ypg. The major problem for this unit has been its inability to stop the pass, as opponents are torching this defense for 211.4 ypg, and out of the 33 touchdowns surrendered by this unit, 21 have come via the pass. The last time the Cardinals were on the field the team did a tremendous job holding the Huskies to just 225 total yards, but even with the strong defensive play the Cardinals still lost. Ball State limited NIU to just 91 passing yards, but still allowed two touchdowns through the air. Charlie Todd led the way in the loss with 12 tackles, while the team's top defensive performer Davyd Jones (79 tackles), added six stops. Robert Eddins recorded a sack in the loss and now has a team-best seven on the season.
The Cardinals might be home, but that will not save Ball State against the Chippewas. Central Michigan is simply too strong and will likely move to 7-0 in league play with relative ease.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 45, Ball State 13
