GAME NOTES: The Central Michigan Chippewas will make their third consecutive appearance in the Motor City Bowl when they take on the Florida Atlantic Owls this Friday evening at Ford Field. This will be the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.

After getting their first ever taste of postseason action this past season, the Owls are back for more, and head coach Howard Schnellenberger is excited for his players and the program.

"It is a great feeling for us to be invited to play in the Motor City Bowl, and a personal thrill for me to be taking FAU to Detroit. For us to become bowl eligible and to be invited again following our first bowl game last year gives this program tremendous promise."

Last season the Owls grabbed the Sun Belt Conference title and earned a spot in the New Orleans Bowl where the team dismantled Memphis, 44-27. Early on this year the Owls did not perform like a postseason team. In fact, FAU dropped five of its first six games, including four straight losses. The lone win was a 49-34 decision over UAB at home. However, instead of running and hiding, FAU took the challenge to rebound head on, and the team did just that, winning five of its last six contests. Florida Atlantic closed out its regular season, and became bowl eligible with a thrilling, 57-50 overtime victory over rival Florida International.

As for the Chippewas they will be making their third straight bowl appearance, which is a school record. Overall, the Chippewas will be playing in their fifth postseason contest, but will be looking for just their second victory. Central Michigan's lone bowl victory came back in 2006 when the team defeated Middle Tennessee, 31-14 in its first appearance in the Motor City Bowl. Last year, the Chippewas fell in this bowl to Purdue in heartbreaking fashion, 51-48. The Chippewas' season did not open with much promise, as the team went 2-2 in its first four games. However, after the Chippewas' 32-25 loss to Purdue, the team caught fire, winning six consecutive games, setting up a shot at another Mid-American Conference title. Unfortunately the Chippewas would not get that chance, as the team fell to Ball State, 31-24 at home. What was even more shocking was the team's 56-52 loss to Eastern Michigan in its season-finale. It was just the third MAC loss for Central Michigan in the last two seasons.

The Owls flew high this season in large part because of the team's success through the air, as Florida Atlantic averaged 250.5 passing ypg. Out of the 38 touchdowns scored by this offensive unit, 23 came via the pass. Overall Florida Atlantic produced an impressive 391.5 total ypg, and that led to a healthy 25.2 ppg. Rusty Smith led the way under center, as the signal caller threw for 2,918 yards and 22 touchdowns. Smith, who won the Sun Belt Player of the Year award this past season, only completed 53.5 percent of his passes this season, and also tossed 14 interceptions. Cortez Gent was the main target for Smith throughout the season, as the wideout hauled in 53 passes for 837 yards and eight touchdowns. While the passing attack for FAU gets most of the attention, the ground game should definitely not be overlooked. The Owls churned out 141.0 ypg on the ground, and averaged 4.5 ypc. Charles Pierre was the most productive running back for FAU, and his achievements this year earned him a spot on the All-Sun Belt Second Team. In 12 games this season, the tailback rushed for 937 yards and eight touchdowns, while racking up 6.5 ypc.

Where the Owls had trouble this season was on the defensive side of the football, as the squad allowed a whopping 402.2 total ypg, and that led to 29.3 ppg. The defensive unit was really abused on the ground, surrendering 183.1 ypg and 23 rushing touchdowns on the year. This unit also had trouble making big plays, recording just 19 turnovers on the year, while collecting a mere 11 sacks. The heart and soul of this defense is without question Frantz Joseph, who racked up an amazing 141 tackles, setting a single-season record at FAU. Joseph, who was an All-Sun Belt First Team selection, also set the school record for career stops with 333. Corey Small also had an impressive season for the Owls, as the cornerback collected 78 tackles to go along with a team-high four interceptions. Small's success earned him a spot on the same All-Sun Belt roster with Joseph.

Much like their counterpart the Chippewas rely heavily on their passing attack, as the team torched opponents for a ridiculous 292.8 ypg through the air. Overall this unit produced 427.1 total ypg, and that led to an equally impressive 30.2 ppg. Dan LeFevour, who was the MAC Player of the Year this past season, dealt with some injuries this year, but still finished with 2,531 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Most of LeFevour's success under center can be attributed to the signal caller's dangerous wide receiver tandem of Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. Brown finished the regular season with 82 receptions, 906 yards and six scores, and was not only named to the All-MAC First Team as a receiver, but was also tabbed as the conference's Special Team Player of the Year. As for Anderson, he hauled in 59 receptions for 835 yards and six touchdowns, and was also named to the All-MAC First Team. Unfortunately for CMU, the team did not enjoy much success with its ground attack, as the team's leading rusher was LeFevour with 536 yards. The top tailback was Ontario Sneed, who rumbled for 519 yards and eight scores on the year.

The success for Central Michigan's offense was the downfall for the team's defensive unit, as the Chippewas were torched for 285.7 ypg through the air. Overall this defense allowed 424.2 total ypg, and that led to 30.8 ppg. The team only forced 15 turnovers on the year, but was at least able to pressure the quarterback on a consistent basis, racking up 31 sacks on the year. The unit also had trouble getting off the field, as the team allowed opponents to convert on 44 percent of their third down attempts and 50 percent of their fourth down chances. Nick Bellore had an outstanding campaign for this defense, as the linebacker paced the team with 135 stops, earning a spot on the All-MAC First Team. Frank Zombo will join his teammate on that roster thanks to leading the Chippewas with 15 TFLs and nine sacks.

Two of the most dangerous passing attacks will be in action this Friday at Ford Field, so expect fireworks from start to finish. However, the Chippewas' aerial assault is slightly better, as LeFevour has more weapons at his disposal. Look for this to be a high-scoring affair, but unlike last year, it will be the Chippewas coming out on top.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 55, Florida Atlantic 48