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FACTS & STATS: Site: InfoCision Stadium (30,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: ESPN GamePlan, ESPN3.com. Home Record: CMU 2-1, Akron 1-3. Away Record: CMU 0-5, Akron 0-3. Neutral Record: CMU 0-0, Akron 0-0. Conference Record: CMU 1-3, Akron 0-3. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 13-9-1.

GAME NOTES: Two struggling Mid-American Conference teams will collide this Saturday afternoon when the Central Michigan Chippewas look to claim their first road win of the season against the Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium.

It has been a miserable season for the Chippewas, as they are coming off their sixth loss in eight games. Central Michigan defeated Northern Illinois to begin league play, but since then the team has dropped three straight matchups to conference opponents, including a 31-27 loss to Ball State this past weekend.

The Zips have been even worse this year, as the team comes into this game with just one victory and that decision came against VMI in the team's fourth outing. Since then the Zips have dropped three straight matchups, including two in-conference. The Zips are still winless in the MAC.

The Chippewas own a 13-9-1 edge over Akron in the all-time series and that includes a 48-21 decision for Central Michigan in the last matchup back in 2009.

Ryan Radcliff did everything he could to get the Chippewas in the win column this past weekend, as the quarterback threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns. The ground game also showed up, thanks in large part to Zurlon Tipton, who rumbled for 110 yards on 18 carries.

Despite all of those numbers, the Chippewas still lost and did so in heartbreaking fashion, falling apart in the second half.

Even though the team has just two wins on the year, the offense has played well at times, especially Radcliff, who has thrown for 2,184 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, the signal caller does make too many mistakes and comes into this game with 12 interceptions.

Cody Wilson seems to be his favorite target and comes in with 43 receptions. David Blackburn is turning into a touchdown machine for CMU and after hauling in two the previous week the wideout now have five on the year.

As for the ground game, it has been skeptical on the season, averaging just 116.6 ypg. However, having a healthy Tipton will surely help the cause on the ground, as the tailback has 225 yards in only three games.

Even though the offense has not been terrible it certainly has not been good enough to carry the defense, which has been atrocious. Central Michigan has been unable to stop the pass, but what has really hurt this unit is the 179.0 ypg opponents are rushing for on the year.

So far this unit has surrendered 16 touchdowns on the ground, while allowing 15 through the air. There are plenty reasons to pin point why this unit has struggled, but one glaring issue has been its inability to force big plays. Through eight games the Chippewas have only 11 takeaways and have gotten to the quarterback just eight times.

This past weekend the Chippewas had a lead over Ball State, but the defense surrendered 28 second-half points, sending the team to another loss. CMU was torched through the air, allowing three touchdowns and over 300 yards. The defense did grab an interception, but the front line got zero pressure and finished the game without a sack.

Shamari Benton and Cody Lopez had strong outings, finishing with 10 tackles apiece.

Although the Zips continue to lose the offense is slowly finding life, which is definitely a positive in a season filled with negatives. This past weekend the Zips lost for the sixth time on the season, but the team enjoyed success at the quarterback position.

Clayton Moore threw for 125 yards and one touchdown, while Patrick Nicely added 43 yards and one touchdown as well. Moore has seen the majority of time under center for Akron, but the signal caller has been erratic at best, completing less than 50.0 percent of his passes for only 1,119 yards and seven touchdowns against six interceptions.

The only real threat for most of the season has been Jawon Chisholm, who is pacing the squad with 623 rushing yards and three touchdowns. However, he has even fallen on hard times now and again, and one of those times occurred this past weekend as Chisholm was limited to just 48 yards on 21 carries.

While the offense seems to be slowly heading in the right direction, the defense for Akron continues to struggle in almost every important area. The major issue has come against the run. as opponents are gashing Akron for over 200.0 yards per game and have already found the end zone 20 times.

This past weekend Ohio seemed to stick with the script and pounded Akron for 212 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. However, the Bobcats also abused Akron through the air for 328 yards and two more scores.

Another team that lacks the big play ability, the Zips only have 11 takeaways and six sacks.

The Chippewas have been dreadful on the road, but they are too good offensively to fall to Akron. Look for Central Michigan to leave Akron winless in conference action.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 38, Akron 24