Quarterbacks: This game is a test to see how Derrick Vickers responds to a bad game. The coaching staff will closely monitor his confidence level and decision-making. This might be the biggest game of his career. BC’s Brian St. Pierre is poised for a breakout game to jump-start his disappointing season.

Advantage: Boston College

Runningbacks: Robbie Mixon must recover strong from his mistakes at Indiana and take care of the ball. If not, Head Coach Mike DeBord may be forced to give Terrence Jackson his first carries of the season to help Kenan Lawhorne. BC’s Derrick Knight is consistently having 100-yard games against good competition for the Eagles.

Advantage: Boston College

Wide Receivers: Rod Means continues to have a strong senior season, but Rob Turner struggled last week with a key drop and a fumble. St. Pierre spreads the ball around to a variety of receivers. Jamal Burke leads the team with only 10 catches.

Advantage: Push

Tight Ends: Tory Humphrey and Dave Kurzan are a strong pair and need to be utilized more by DeBord. Sean Ryan only has five catches, with 10 yards being his longest reception for the Eagles.

Advantage: CMU

Offensive Line: The unit played a strong game for CMU last week and senior Paul Brieger should get some playing time this week. He is a two-year starter coming off of a foot injury and should help the line.

BC's line is all around 300-pounds, and should be relieved that CMU’s defense is not quite Miami’s defense.

Advantage: Boston College

Defensive Line: Matt Wohlgemuth continues to have a strong season and will need to get to St. Pierre early. Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey complained after their win over BC that the Eagles were taking cheap shots after the play. Leave it to the 'Canes to complain about other people cheating.

Advantage: Boston College

Linebackers: Jovan Clarke did not step up and make big plays at Indiana like he did in the first three games. He will be looking to recover in a major way.CMU will try to direct its running game toward 212-pound linebacker Brian Flores.

Advantage: CMU

Secondary: This is a huge statement game for the CMU secondary. Dante McKnight said before the season that he wants the secondary to be the best in the MAC. They have a long way to go. Redshirt freshman Larry Lester performed admirably against Miami, but should again be tested in his second career start for BC. The Eagles secondary has surpassed all expectations so far.

Advantage: Boston College

Special Teams: Yikes! Mixon and Derrick Holomans’ problems in the return game have to scare DeBord. McKnight also fumbled a punt last week. Kicker Mike Gruzwalski’s four field goals against Wyoming may make him a one-hit wonder. These units must be sound if this team is to be successful. Sandro Sciortino is 7-for-7 on PAT's for BC. That’s good enough for me.

Advantage: Boston College

Coaching: Suddenly DeBord is under some scrutiny as to how his team is going to perform after last week’s carelessness. Tom O’Brien has lead BC to two consecutive bowl games.

Advantage: Boston College

Intangibles: Both teams had their first loss last week. Both teams rely heavily on the running game, and came into the season with huge secondary concerns. Jackson’s presence on the sideline should help CMU. The Chippewas allowed 39 points last week, while BC gave up 38 to defending champion and No. 1-ranked Miami.

Advantage: Boston College

Overall: CMU fans should expect a focused team that is ready to prove a point after handing Indiana the win last week. The secondary and Vickers are in for huge tests. They have a chance to win if the Eagles are looking ahead of them to the Oct. 10 game against No. 5 Virginia Tech.

They won’t be.

Schoch’s prediction: Boston College 42, Central Michigan 27.

Schoch can be reached for comment at sports@cm-life.com.