Central Michigan (8-5) vs. Purdue (7-5)

Conference matchup: MAC vs. Big Ten
Date: Dec. 26, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Spread: Purdue -9

The 2007 Motor City Bowl is one of the rare cases where the game is a rematch of a game played earlier in the season. Unfortunately, it's a rematch of a game that wasn't very interesting the first time around. Purdue won, 45-22, and covered as 21.5-point favorites. It wasn't as one-sided as it seemed, though - after a very rough start, Central Michigan actually outscored Purdue in the second half, and was far more productive offensively as well. Though the line indicates that the game should be closer than before, you have to imagine that bowl organizers would have avoided this matchup if they weren't contractually obligated to it. This is the second straight year that Central Michigan has won the MAC and played in this game. Last year they beat Middle Tennessee State, 31-14, in front of more than 54,000 fans.

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Central Michigan can cover if: they can continue to build on their recent momentum. When the Chippewas first played Purdue they were in the midst of a terrible start. They lost three of their first four, and weren't firing on either side of the ball. Since then they have won seven of their last nine and, with the exception of an embarrassing blowout at the hands of Clemson, have been competitive every time out. They scored 34 or more points nine times in 13 tries, so offensive production won't be any trouble, especially if QB Dan LeFevour, one of the more underrated players in the country, is on his game. One challenge facing Central Michigan is that they have not been a strong underdog. They have been given points four times, and have only covered once. Those games were all on the road, though. This game is in a neutral site and it is close enough that Chippewas fans should travel in full force and make it a very friendly environment. That could give them the boost they need. They will especially need that boost defensively. They failed to crack the top 100 in many defensive categories on the season. They will need to find a way to slow down a potent Purdue offense if they want to be competitive.

Purdue can cover if: they can rediscover their early form. They started very strong, with five straight victories. They lost their last three games of the year, though, and five of their last seven to come crashing back down to all to familiar mediocrity. They will especially need to focus on their defensive play. The first half of their first game against Central Michigan was probably their best half of defensive football all year. They couldn't maintain that pace in the second half, and rarely played with the same intensity again this year. This game is theirs for the taking if they can play aggressive defensive football, because their talent level is obviously a bit higher given the conferences involved. If their defense plays well then their offense should be strong enough to stay ahead in a shootout. Quarterback Curtis Painter had a solid year, and Kory Sheets is effective on the ground, so Purdue should be able to exert their superiority, but only if they can pay better than they have in the last month.

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General notes: Purdue will be playing without junior wide receiver Selwyn Lymon. He was kicked off the team after getting arrested for a second time. He's not a crucial loss as he was only the fifth leading receiver, but he did catch 41 passes and provided another option for Painter. Central Michigan played a staggering eight road games this year, so they are comfortable with playing away from home. In comparison, Purdue had just five. LeFevour will have to work to get his consistency back. After throwing fifteen touchdowns and just six interceptions in his first eight games, he has just eight touchdowns while being picked seven times in his last five. Purdue will make the Chippewas pay for turnovers more than most opponents they have faced.