The Central Michigan Chippewas need to win this one since they are the team from the Motor City in a BCS Bowl game named after their city.

After opening the season 1-5, a bowl game seemed bleak for the defending Sun Belt champion Florida Atlantic Owls. However, since that time, the Owls have reeled off 5 wins in 6 games, receiving an invitation to the 2008 Motor City Bowl.

The Florida Atlantic Owls suffered a brutal start before claiming its bowl berth. Since then, the Owls averaged 35.0 points while winning five of their final six games, overcoming a 1-5 start, becoming bowl-eligible with a 57-50 overtime win over Florida International on Nov.29.

Considering the last Motor City Bowl and each team’s most recent contests, with the Central Michigan Chippewas also on fire, it’s possible the 2008 matchup could be another shootout.

Florida Atlantic boasts a top defensive presence in senior linebacker Frantz Joseph, the nation’s second-best tackler with 141 to lead the Sun Belt in that category for a second straight season. He also earned all-conference honors while breaking his own school record for tackles in a season. Joseph also set the school’s single-game (16) and career (333) tackle mark.

The Owls’ offense is directed by junior quarterback Rusty Smith, who led the Sun Belt with 2,918 yards and 22 touchdowns. His favorite target is Cortez Gent, who finished with 837 receiving yards and eight TDs.

Senior Charles Pierre led the ground game with a career-high 937 yards and eight touchdowns for the Owls.

The Owls feature an offense that can put up points against inferior competition, but they have struggled against better teams this year. The defense has been average at best this year and may have a tough time slowing down the Central Michigan Chippewas and their quarterback, Dan LeFevour.

The Junior quarterback led his team in passing and rushing this year. The Chippewas feature a spread type offense that resembles the one down in Gainsville.

However, while the offense can rack up points quickly, it is the defense that seems to be the problem. They allow a whopping 30.8 PPG and 424.2 YPG, numbers that are very discouraging, to say the least. This game is expected to have a ton of points since both teams just can’t play D.

Can the Central Michigan Chippewas beat the Florida Atlantic Owls to win the 2008 Motor City Bowl? SportsBetting.com has the odds.

Central Michigan Chippewas -7

Florida Atlantic Owls +7

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Florida Atlantic Owls Central Michigan Chippewas