GAME NOTES: Intrastate foes lock horns in Ann Arbor this Saturday, as the 10th-ranked Michigan Wolverines host the Central Michigan Chippewas in non- conference action from Michigan Stadium. As expected, the Wolverines got out of the gate quickly and posted a 27-7 victory over Vanderbilt last Saturday. It was the eighth consecutive season-opening win and the 13th in the past 14 years by the Wolverines. If Michigan is to compete for the Big Ten and national titles it will have to play better at home, where it went a modest 4-3 a year ago. As for Central Michigan, it had the honor of kicking off the 2006 season by hosting Boston College last Thursday night. Unfortunately for the Chippewas, they found themselves on the short end of a 31-24 setback at home. CMU, which welcomes back 14 starters from last year's team that finished 6-5 overall, now hits the road where it has gone just 7-29 since 2000. Michigan has won both prior meetings with the Chippewas, outscoring them 72-7 in the process. The most recent meeting took place in 2003, resulting in a 45-7 triumph by the Wolverines.

Offensively, CMU gave a solid Boston College club all it could handle, racking up 366 total yards and three touchdowns in a close seven-point loss. The Chippewas posted 123 yards on the ground and 243 yards through the air, despite losing starting quarterback Brian Brunner. On just the second snap from scrimmage, Brunner was knocked out of the game by a big hit, opening the door for Dan LeFevour, who stepped in nicely. LeFevour not only threw for 221 yards and a touchdown, but also led the team with 72 rushing yards and two scores on 14 carries. However, it was LeFevour's interception in the waning moments that put an end to the Chippewas' comeback bid. Still, LeFevour looked especially good and will surely see more action under center. His primary target was Obed Cetoute, who reeled in six balls for 102 yards. Tailback Ontario Sneed also played an important role in the passing game, catching six balls for 51 yards and a score. Sneed, who is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season, ran for 47 yards on just seven carries in the losing effort.

On the defensive side of things is where CMU was exploited, allowing 408 total yards and four touchdowns to Boston College. The Chippewas did do an outstanding job holding the Eagles to just 85 rushing yards, but that was overshadowed by the 323 yards they allowed through the air. The defense, which allowed a whopping 280.7 passing ypg in 2005, also failed to record an interception in 48 pass attempts by BC, although it did manage to recover a pair of fumbles. Linebacker Red Keith paced the Chippewas with 15 tackles, while Ike Brown posted 11 stops and a forced fumble. Mike Ogle logged the team's lone sack to go along with four total stops.

The Wolverines simply ran over Vanderbilt last weekend, as they rolled up 246 rushing yards on 51 carries en route to a 27-7 victory. Leading the way was Mike Hart, who gained 146 yards on 31 totes. Considered to be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten, Hart is coming off an injury-plagued '05 campaign in which he rushed for just 662 yards. Quarterback Chad Henne had a subpar showing is the team's opener as he completed just 10-of-22 pass attempts for 135 yards. However, he did throw a pair of important touchdown passes and that is no surprise considering he tossed 23 scores a year ago. Wideout Steve Breaston pulled in a team-best four balls for 68 yards in the victory, while Mario Manningham added three catches for 44 yards and a score. Overall, the Wolverines showed that they have the type of ground attack that will surely be hard to stop even though most opponents know it's coming.

Defensively, the Wolverines played a near perfect game as they limited Vandy to just 171 total yards, including a mere 42 on the ground. The unit held the Commodores to only nine first downs, while allowing them to convert just 4- of-15 third down attempts. Getting pressure on the quarterback wasn't a problem either, as Michigan posted six sacks which helped in creating a pair fumbles. Defensive end Rondell Biggs led the charge, as he posted six stops, four TFLs and a pair of sacks. Jamar Adams also accounted for six tackles and a sack, while LaMarr Woodley came through with four stops and two sacks. Woodley posted seven sacks a year ago and is one of six returning starters on a UM defensive unit that ranked 36th in the nation in total defense (345.2 ypg) in 2005.

Michigan is clearly the pick here and although CMU has some weapons on offense, it just doesn't have the overall talent to keep up with a team like the Wolverines. Expect another big game from Hart and company, as the home team blasts past the Chippewas.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 40, Central Michigan 14