Teams: Central Michigan vs. Florida Atlantic
Date: December, 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.

Analysis

The city of Detroit is starving for competitive and entertaining football, something the Detroit Lions have failed to live up to this year. Luckily for Detroit and Ford Field, Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic bring high-scoring offenses in what should be an entertaining bowl match-up.

Despite missing two games and being limited for a couple of others, Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour posted over 3,000 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns. LeFevour faces a Florida Atlantic defense that has struggled to force sacks and turnovers, along with a secondary that ranks 80th nationally in pass defense. The Chippewas present a tough match-up for any secondary, especially with the talented receiving duo of Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. LeFevour leads the team in rushing with 536 yards, but running back Ontario Sneed has 31 receptions and is a solid all-around threat for this offense.

Florida Atlantic will counter with Rusty Smith. The junior is a rising NFL prospect but struggled at times with an injured shoulder. When Smith is healthy, there is little doubt that he is best quarterback in the Sun Belt. Cortez Gent averaged nearly 16 yards per reception this season and the Owls also have another capable weapon in tight end Jamari Grant. The Owls are a little more balanced than the Chippewas with running back Charles Pierre only 63 yards away from 1,000.

The Central Michigan defense has been much-maligned this year, especially after getting torched by Eastern Michigan in the season finale. The Chippewas ranked at the top of the Mid-American Conference in rush defense but ranked last against the pass. Considering the struggles of the secondary, Central Michigan must get pressure from its front four.

Breakdown: Central Michigan

Campus Location: Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Distance to (Detroit): 158 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 1–3
2008 Season: 8–4, 6–2 MAC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 73 (134)
Pass Offense: 13 (293)
Scoring Offense: 35 (30)
Rush Defense: 51 (139)
Pass Defense: 118 (286)
Scoring Defense: 91 (31)
Turnover Margin: 42 (.33)

Additional Notes:
This will be Central Michigan’s third straight trip to the Motor City Bowl…The Chippewas have scored over 30 points in their last two bowl appearances…This is the first meeting between the Chippewas and Florida Atlantic…Antonio Brown led the nation in average yards per punt return with 20.7…Brown, tackle Andrew Hartline, Bryan Anderson, linebacker Nick Bellore and defensive end Frank Zombo were named to the All-MAC first team.

Breakdown: Florida Atlantic

Campus Location: Boca Raton, Fla.
Distance to (Detroit): 1,342 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 1–0
2008 Season: 6–6, 4–3 Sun Belt

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 65 (141)
Pass Offense: 27 (251)
Scoring Offense: 66 (25)
Rush Defense: 98 (183)
Pass Defense: 80 (219)
Scoring Defense: 85 (29)
Turnover Margin: 101 (–.75)

Additional Notes:
Defensive lineman Jervonte Jackson, linebacker Frantz Joseph and defensive back Corey Small were named to the All-Sun Belt first team. Joseph is second nationally in tackles per game…The Owls rank eighth nationally in sacks allowed per game, another reason why the passing game has taken a step back from last year…The Owls ranked 102nd nationally in turnovers lost.

Prediction: Central Michigan by 8

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