Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down CMU’s 3:30 p.m. matchup with Alcorn State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Quarterbacks

Alcorn State senior quarterback Tim Buckley presents a different element to his game CMU’s defense has not seen. Although throwing 13 interceptions compared to 11 touchdowns last season, Buckley led the Braves in rushing yards with 418.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. CMU senior quarterback Dan LeFevour is coming off a 328-yard, three touchdown performance against a Big Ten defense. LeFevour reigns supreme over Buckley.

Running backs

Buckley and freshman running back Arnold Walker (50 yards in opener against Southern Mississippi) give Alcorn State options in the backfield to run the ball in its spread offense. CMU has had little statistical success running the ball in its first two games, but statistics can be deceiving. CMU uses its short passing and screen game to supplement the run game.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Statistics aside, the talent and play-making ability in CMU’s backfield should be able to gain yardage. Southern Mississippi ran for 398 yards against the Braves.

CMU offensive line vs. Alcorn State defensive front seven

This is where CMU should dominate. Alcorn State has an undersized defensive line, with just one player more than 250 pounds (defensive tackle Randy Carter — 5 feet 9 inches, 290 pounds). Starting defensive tackle Tim Lewis is just 248 pounds.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Freshman left tackle Jake Olson has looked impressive holding off Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed and Michigan State defensive end Trevor Anderson. He should not lose a step this weekend.

Alcorn State offensive line vs. CMU defensive front seven

The CMU front seven held Michigan State to 101 rushing yards, and Buckley will be its number one concern. Although CMU lacks some size along the defensive line, Alcorn State lacks size on its offensive front as well.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Expect CMU’s improved defense to shine. Although it faces a different spread offense, it all starts up front, where the Chippewas hold a large advantage.

CMU wide receivers vs. Alcorn State secondary

Senior wide receiver Bryan Anderson and junior wide receiver Antonio Brown both made big plays on the big stage last week in East Lansing.
Three of Alcorn State’s four starting defensive backs are seniors, including cornerback Roderick Williams, who led the team with seven pass break-ups last season. It should not matter.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Along with quarterback, this may be CMU’s strongest unit. Surely, it has the most depth.

Alcorn State wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

If there is one unit CMU may be most improved, it is the defensive secondary. Senior cornerback Josh Gordy leads a unit that held MSU to just 215 passing yards and Arizona to 202 passing yards.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Defending the spread is different that defending the pro-style offense MSU implemented for much of last week’s game, but expect the positive trend to continue in the defensive backfield.

Coaching

Butch Jones is coming off probably the biggest win of his coaching career, even if he is reluctant to admit it. This is an obvious trap game for CMU, but the correct mindset is in place.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Jones just beat Michigan State. His resume ­— much like LeFevour’s — may have lacked a win against a solid BCS conference opponent. That is not the case anymore.

Prediction

ASU’s spread offense could generate some early yardage, but do not expect the Braves to hold on for long.

CMU 45, Alcorn State 7

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover