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FACTS & STATS: Site: Commonwealth Stadium (67,942) -- Lexington, Kentucky. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: CMU 1-0, Kentucky 0-0. Away Record: CMU 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Kentucky 1-0. Conference Record: CMU 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Series Record: Kentucky leads, 5-0.

GAME NOTES: Kentucky will try to continue its dominance over Central Michigan when the Wildcats host the Chippewas this Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

This will be the sixth meeting between the two schools on the gridiron, and just like the previous five showdowns this game will be played in Lexington. Kentucky is currently 5-0 against the Chippewas, and claimed a 45-36 victory in the most recent decision back in 2006.

It was not an overwhelming season-opener for Central Michigan, but the Chippewas were able to get past South Carolina State, 21-6, at home. This is the second year for coach Dan Enos, who struggled in his first season, leading the Chippewas to just three wins and their first losing campaign since 2004.

Just like CMU, the Wildcats were not very impressive in their first game of 2011, but still managed to walk away with a 14-3 decision over Western Kentucky. Joke Phillips is also in his second year as the head man of Kentucky, but he enjoyed much more success in his debut season, leading Kentucky to a 6-7 mark. Five of those victories in 2010 came at home, so the Wildcats should have an advantage in this meeting.

Last year the Chippewas saw their offensive production take a huge dip and a large reason for that was due to a coaching change and the loss of Dan LeFevour. Ryan Radcliff took over under center, while Enos took over on the sideline and both endured growing pains.

The hope is for Radcliff to improve on last season's effort, but in the opener the junior signal caller was mediocre at best. Sure, Radcliff threw two touchdowns, but he also tossed two interceptions and completed just 14-of-27 passes. If Central Michigan is going to improve offensively, he will need to play at a much higher level.

However, the success of the offense does not rest solely on his shoulders, because the ground game was ineffective in 2010 as well. Last year CMU averaged just 106 yards per game and that came on a weak 3.3 yards per attempt. The performance of the rushing attack was one of the big issues coach Enos wanted fixed for this year, but in the opener the Chippewas were once again hampered by a lackluster effort.

Zurlon Tipton led the way with 73 yards and one touchdown, but as a whole CMU finished with only 88 yards on 2.5 yards per attempt. Paris Cotton, who posted just six yards on four totes will get the start Saturday, but Tipton was the most effective back in week one and will likely see plenty of carries as well.

The reason CMU walked away with a win despite the offense's pedestrian effort was because of the relentless effort put forth by the defense. Central Michigan held SCSU to just 137 yards of total offense, and even though the defense did not force a turnover the Chippewas held the opposition to just 4- of-19 on third down attempts.

The run defense was encouraging though. Last year Central Michigan was dismantled by opposing rushing attacks, but in the opener the Chippewas held South Carolina State to just 59 yards on 1.4 yards per attempt.

The Wildcats averaged over 30.0 ppg in 2010, but with so many key members of that team gone, coach Phillips had to wonder what the offense would look like when the season began.

It is only one game, so the fans in Lexington should not panic, but Kentucky looked like a work in progress, scoring only 14 points against Western Kentucky. The Wildcats did win, but the offense was ineffective to say the least.

Kentucky totaled just 190 yards and Morgan Newton's season debut was a forgettable one. The signal caller completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws for only 97 yards. He did toss a touchdown, but also threw three interceptions and was sacked three times. Morgan also suffered an ankle injury but he is probable for Saturday's game. However, if he puts forth another terrible effort he could be on a short leash.

The poor play of the offense should not fall solely on Newton's shoulders because the ground game also did not find much success. The Wildcats have been extremely successful in that area over the two previous seasons, but in the opener the Wildcats totaled just 93 yards on a mere 2.8 yards per attempt.

Raymond Sanders started the game and finished with 35 yards. Josh Clemons actually led the way for Kentucky, rumbling for 39 yards and one score on 11 totes. Sanders will start against CMU, but Clemons has earned some more playing time after last week.

While coach Phillips is likely disappointed by the offensive performance he should have no complaints with the effort put forth by the defense. The Wildcats held their own against the run, as WKU finished with 141 yards, on just 3.4 yards per attempt.

What helped the defense was its ability to force WKU into mistakes. The Wildcats recorded four interceptions in the win and two of them were hauled in by Winston Guy. Guy also posted 10 tackles, and 2.5 of those tackles went for losses. It is still early in the year, but coach Phillips will need this unit to continue to perform at this level, at least while the offense tries to work through the kinks.

If last week is any indication these two programs could be in for a tough defensive matchup. Kentucky has won all of its clashes with CMU, and even though this contest might come down to the wire, look for the Wildcats to remain perfect in the series.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kentucky 20, Central Michigan 14