No. 14 Western Michigan tries to stay unbeaten vs. Buffalo
Buffalo (2-8, 1-5 MAC) at No. 14 Western Michigan (10-0, 6-0, No. 21 CFP), 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU).
Line: Western Michigan by 35.
Series record: Buffalo leads 5-2
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Broncos, ranked higher than any MAC team since Ball State was No. 12 in 2008, hope to stay in contention for a New Year's six bowl bid and extend their overall win streak to 13. Western Michigan is one of two unbeatens remaining in FBS, joining top-ranked Alabama (10-0). Buffalo has lost two straight after beating Akron for its only MAC victory.
KEY MATCHUP
WMU RB Jarvion Franklin vs. Buffalo's rush defense. Franklin recorded his sixth consecutive 100-yard rushing game in last week's 37-21 win over Kent State. Franklin, whose 39 career rushing touchdowns is tied for the most in program history, is second in the MAC this season with 1,152 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Buffalo's run defense is last in the conference, allowing 251.2 yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Buffalo: RB Jordan Johnson ran for 100 yards and a touchdown in last week's 35-24 loss at Miami, becoming the seventh player in program history to rush for 2,000 career yards. Johnson is fifth in the MAC this season with 884 yards rushing.
Western Michigan: LB Robert Spillane was named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week after the Kent State win. He ranks seventh in the conference with 85 total tackles.
FACTS & FIGURES
Western Michigan fell behind Kent State, 14-0, early in last week's game, but recovered to post its first 10-win season in 108 years of football. . ESPN ''College GameDay'' will broadcast from Kalamazoo on Saturday. It's only the second time the show is visiting a MAC campus, with the other in 2003 at Bowling Green. . Western Michigan is 17-2 in its last 19 games. . Buffalo TE Mason Schreck had a career-high 10 catches last week for 89 yards. His 50 catches this season are one more than his previous three years combined. . Bulls coach Lance Leipold has a 7-15 record in two years at Buffalo.
