MAC matchup features Western Michigan taking on Central Michigan

Western Michigan (4-2) at Central Michigan (3-3), Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Opening Line: Western Michigan by 7. Against the spread: Western Michigan 3-3, Central Michigan 2-4.

How to watch: ESPN+

Key stats

Western Michigan Offense

Overall: 330.7 yards per game (114th in FBS)

Passing: 175.8 yards per game (121st)

Rushing: 154.8 yards per game (71st)

Scoring: 25.7 points per game (90th)

Western Michigan Defense

Overall: 336.2 yards per game (53rd in FBS)

Passing: 193.5 yards per game (48th)

Rushing: 142.7 yards per game (72nd)

Scoring: 17.3 points per game (25th)

Central Michigan Offense

Overall: 285.0 yards per game (132nd in FBS)

Passing: 96.3 yards per game (135th)

Rushing: 188.7 yards per game (42nd)

Scoring: 17.0 points per game (127th)

Central Michigan Defense

Overall: 373.0 yards per game (90th in FBS)

Passing: 195.3 yards per game (50th)

Rushing: 177.7 yards per game (113th)

Scoring: 26.3 points per game (96th)

Central Michigan ranks 135th in defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert 50.0% of the time. Western Michigan ranks 64th on offense, converting on 41.9% of third downs.

Central Michigan is 119th in FBS in red zone offense, scoring on 75.0% of trips. Western Michigan's red zone defense ranks 12th at 70.6%.

Team leaders

Western Michigan

Passing: Broc Lowry, 996 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 68.3 completion percentage

Rushing: Jalen Buckley, 392 yards on 78 carries, 5 TDs

Receiving: Aveion Chenault, 292 yards on 20 catches, 1 TD

Central Michigan

Passing: Angel Flores, 313 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 59.7 completion percentage

Rushing: Flores, 501 yards on 97 carries, 4 TDs

Receiving: Langston Lewis, 142 yards on 10 catches, 1 TD

Last game

Western Michigan won 38-7 over Kent State on Oct. 10. Lowry threw for 257 yards on 18-of-26 attempts (69.2%) with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried the ball nine times for 52 yards and one rushing touchdown. Buckley carried the ball 16 times for 105 yards, adding two receptions for 40 yards. Adam Parks put up 55 yards on three catches with two touchdowns.

Central Michigan lost 31-14 to Ohio on Oct. 10. Flores led Central Michigan with 112 yards on 14-of-20 passing (70.0%) for no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 16 times for 27 yards. Nicholas Woodford had 27 rushing yards on three carries and one touchdown, adding one reception for 13 yards. Braylen Naves recorded 56 yards on four catches.

Next game

Western Michigan plays at Toledo on Oct. 24. Central Michigan hosts Miami (OH) on Oct. 24.