Quarterback: Junior Derrick Vickers is exceeding expectations this year, but struggled in the first half at Akron. He is proving that he can make the throws needed to win games. Indiana’s Gibran Hamdan doubles as a first baseman on the baseball team. And based on his five interceptions and poor efficiency through two games, he should stick to the diamond.

Advantage: CMU

Running backs: Robbie Mixon and Kenan Lawhorne are one of the top statistical tandems around. Their abilities to catch the ball out of the backfield and relieve each other makes CMU run offense potent. Redshirt freshman Yamar Washington looks like a bright spot on a Hoosiers team that is in rough shape.

Advantage: Indiana

Wide receivers: Rob Turner is putting up good numbers and Rod Means has made a couple spectacular clutch catches that have preserved important drives this season. Glenn Johnson appears to be the leader of the inexperienced Indiana pass catchers.

Advantage: CMU

Tight ends: Tory Humphrey needs to get the ball even more because he might be playing on Sundays in a couple years. Aaron Halterman has good size and averages 14 yards per catch.

Advantage: CMU.

Offensive line: Kyle Croskey is leading the line to fine second half performances, but was dominated at times in the first half at Akron. Indiana has four returning starters from last year and is leading the team to 114 rushing yards per game. They have only allowed one sack per game.

Advantage: Indiana

Defensive line: Matt Wohlgemuth is second in the MAC in sacks and tackles for a loss. He is making big plays on crucial downs. Kris Dielman is a converted tight end for Indiana and has two sacks so far this season. Indiana has been getting to the opponents QBs with eight sacks on the season.

Advantage: Indiana

Linebackers: Anthony Tyus is playing well and Jovan Clarke is stepping up as a leader of the defense. Herana-Daze Jones already has 40 tackles this season and has forced two fumbles for Indiana.

Advantage: CMU

Secondary: Dante McKnight and James King are playing like veterans in their new positions. Too bad redshirt freshman Jesse Dailey is playing like a redshirt freshman. IU’s Joe Gonzalez and A.C. Carter are two legitimate Big Ten safeties.

Advantage: Indiana

Special teams: Brian Brandt is one of the top punters in the MAC but Derrick Holoman’s fumble last week causes some concern in the return game. Johnson is averaging 3.4 yards per punt return for Indiana. Kicker Bryan Robertson is 1-4 on 30-39 yard field goals this season.

Advantage: CMU

Coaching: Mike DeBord is enstilling confidence and developing a winning attitude in the program in his third season. Also helping him is the motivation of showing his home-state first-hand that his team is for real. Gerry DiNardo is in his first season for Indiana and a 1-2 record is not impressing his bosses.

Advantage: CMU

Intangibles: CMU is riding a winning streak, but face another road test while overcoming the fact that it is a mid-major against a major conference opponent. How they react and if they come out tentatively will be the key to the game. This is a big game for Indiana’s confidence as they prepare for the Big Ten season.

Advantage: Indiana

Overall: Both teams rely heavily on ball control with strong running games. CMU’s quarterback edge should help but may be negated against Indiana’s experienced secondary. The difference in this game is if Central plays up to its potential and makes plays. They will, for this is a team that has learned how to win.

Indiana can’t wait for basketball season.

Prediction: Central Michigan 31, Indiana 20.

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