FACTS & STATS: Site: Rose-Ade Stadium (62,500) -- West Lafayette, Indiana. Television: Big Ten Network. Home Record: CMU 1-0, Purdue 1-1. Away Record: CMU 1-1, Purdue 0-0. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Purdue 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 1-0, Purdue 0-0. Series Record: Purdue leads, 4-0.

GAME NOTES: For the third time in just over a year, the Purdue Boilermakers will battle the Central Michigan Chippewas when the two teams collide this Saturday at Rose-Ade Stadium. Last year the Boilermakers pummeled Central Michigan 45-22 during the regular season, and also clipped the Chippewas 51-48 in the Motor City Bowl. This year the Chippewas opened with a solid 31-12 victory over Eastern Illinois, but the success was short-lived as the team followed up with an embarrassing, 56-17 setback to Georgia. This past weekend CMU grabbed its fifth consecutive conference opening victory with a 31-28 decision over Ohio. Central Michigan is just 2-18 against the Big Ten, and has not defeated an opponent from this conference since 1992. As for the Boilermakers, they are coming off a tough 32-26 overtime loss to Oregon. Fortunately the team was able to open its new campaign with a convincing, 42-10 win over Northern Colorado. Purdue has done an exceptional job against teams from the MAC, posting a 35-7-1 ledger. Along with the two victories over the Chippewas last season, Purdue has also defeated CMU two previous times and holds a 4-0 ledger in the all-time series.

It wasn't pretty this past weekend, but the Chippewas did just enough offensively to slip past the Ohio Bobcats. CMU racked up 436 total yards in the contest, but the ground game was ineffective, as the Chippewas tallied only 70 yards on 2.1 ypc. Thus far CMU has done very little with the run, averaging just 100.3 ypg on 3.0 ypc. Fortunately the offense was once again saved by Dan LeFevour, who threw for 361 yards, while also rushing for a team best 45 yards. Antonio Brown was the main target in the win, as the wideout grabbed 10 passes for 78 yards. LeFevour has once again been the main source of production for this unit, as the QB has already thrown for 828 yards and five touchdowns. He is also second on the team with 106 rushing yards and has scored once on the ground. As for Brown, he has yet to find the end zone on offense, but the receiver leads the team with 19 catches and 193 yards.

The defense for CMU was simply atrocious in the win, as the unit surrendered 513 total yards. The Chippewas allowed 148 yards on the ground in the victory, and were also torched for 365 yards via the pass. Fortunately the defense was able to force two fumbles, while holding Ohio to just 7-of-16 on third down attempts and 1-of-2 on red zone chances. Although it is early in the season, the Chippewas have had trouble defensively, as opponents are posting a whopping 449.7 total ypg. Teams are converting 52 percent of their third down chances against CMU, and an eye-popping 89 percent of their red zone opportunities. Nick Bellore led the way for CMU in the win over Ohio, as linebacker tallied 11 tackles, one TFL and also forced two fumbles.

After scoring 42 points in their season-opener, the Boilermakers had trouble against Oregon, scoring just 26 points in the overtime loss. Surprisingly Curtis Painter had a tough day under center, completing just 26-of-50 passes for 207 yards. The signal caller also tossed two interceptions and was sacked four times. It was a shocking performance by Painter, who opened the season with 286 yards and two touchdowns against Northern Colorado. Fortunately the ground game picked up the slack, as Kory Sheets led Purdue with 180 yards and two touchdowns on 6.2 ypc. Sheets has been outstanding in the first two games and currently has 261 rushing yards and four scores. As a whole, the offense for Purdue is averaging 405.0 total ypg, and has converted 7-of-8 red zone chances.

Oregon simply abused the front line of the Boilermakers this past weekend, rushing for 306 yards. Overall, the defense surrendered 503 total yards, and although the unit forced two turnovers, the defense did not record a sack. Surprisingly, Purdue limited the Ducks to just 5-of-18 on third down attempts, but also allowed the Pac-10 team to score on 5-of-8 red zone chances. After two games it is evident that the defense has some holes that need to be filled. Purdue is allowing 420.5 total ypg, including a whopping 214.0 ypg on the ground. Frank Duong has been the main source of production, as the defensive back currently has 19 tackles and one TFL on the season.

If last season was any indication on how this matchup, expect the lights on the scoreboard to burn out. Both teams possess dangerous offensive units, and combined with less than spectacular play on the defensive side of the ball, this should be a high scoring affair.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Purdue 45, Central Michigan 31

Saturday, September 20th, 12:00 p.m. (et)