Offense:

Quarterback: Dan LeFevour and former head coach Butch Jones departures haven’t changed the Chippewas’ pass-heavy offensive game plan. First year head coach Dan Enos has quarterback Ryan Radcliff under center for Central Michigan, and has put the Chippewas at 17th in the country with 292.7 passing yards a game. “Their quarterback is a concern,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “He’s getting better and better.”

Grade: B

Running back: Just because the Chippewas like to chuck it doesn’t mean they completely stray away from the ground game. Paris Cotton has rushed for 514 yards with six touchdowns. The junior running back is coming off one of his worst performances of the season when he ran for just 23 yards on 15 carries against Miami (OH).

Grade: B-

Wide Receivers: CMU’s receiving corps is balanced with speed, size and play-making ability. With the Chippewas tendency to pass often, Huskies cornerback Chris Smith and the rest of its defensive backfield must stop CMU’s wideouts from making the big plays. Sophomore Cody Wilson leads the Chippewas with 35 receptions and 581 receiving yards.

Grade: B-

Offensive Line: NIU’s defensive line will need to throw everything off up-front for the Central Michigan blockers. Ratcliff more than often sets up from the shotgun, so getting pressure on him might be hard to come by. Senior center Colin Miller and company have allowed 16 sacks this season.

Grade: B-

Defense:

Defensive line: There’s plenty of speed on the edges for the Chippewas’ defensive ends. Although that speed comes at a price as starting ends Kashawn Fraser and Caesar Rodriguez both weigh in the 220-pound area. Central Michigan’s front four have 8.5 of the Chippewas’ 16 sacks this season.

Grade: C

Linebacker: The strength of the Chippewas’ defense is in its second level. The senior duo of Nick Bellore and Matt Berning ranks first and second on the defense in tackles. “Their two inside linebackers are the best that we’ve faced to this point,” Kill said.

Grade: B+

Secondary: Senior free-safety Bobby Seay has recorded the only interception in Central Michigan’s secondary. Even though the Chippewas haven’t had their pickings against opposing quarterbacks, NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish will need to protect the ball. “With us, if we go out and we’re focused and we get good quarterback play” Kill said. “We don’t turn the ball over, we continue to improve on defense, we’ll be in the game and that’s where we need to be.”

Grade: C-

Special Teams: Kicker David Harman and punter Brett Hartmann are very good at what they do. Harman’s only attempted six field goals but has connected on five, while Hartmann is averaging 40.7 yards per punt. On kick return, the Chippewas’ top three return men are only averaging 17.3 yards.

Grade: B-