Scouting: Central Michigan (2-1) @ Northwestern (3-0)

Central Michigan (2-1) at Northwestern (3-0)When: 11 a.m. Satirday at Ryan FieldTV: BTN; Radio: WYLL 1160-AMSeries: First meetingCoaches: Dan Enos (2-1, first year at CMU); Pat Fitzgerald (30-23, fifth year at NU)Players to watch: Central Michigan QB Ryan Radcliff has picked up where record-setting Benet Academy grad Dan LeFevour left off, though in a different manner. Radcliff runs the Chippewas' new pro-style attack to a T. He rarely runs, but he chucks it around the yard at a 65 percent clip for 795 yards and 3 TDs. RB Paris Cotton (343 yards, 5 TDs) handles the ground game while WR Cody Wilson (14-300-2) is a big-play threat. CMU's stout front seven includes senior DT Sean Murnane, the Carmel graduate with 17.5 TFLs who'll make his 32nd career start today.Northwestern QB Dan Persa ranks second nationally in pass efficiency (192.63) while leading the way in completion percentage (81.6). The Wildcats' rushing struggles are indicated on the depth chart, where soph RB Arby Fields (144 yards, 1 TD) is an either/or starter for the first time with senior Stephen Simmons (58 yards). OLB Quentin Davie (20 tackles, 3 INT) leads a defense that's getting lots of pressure from a front four that includes DT Jack DiNardo (Hinsdale Central) and DE Kevin Watt (Glenbard West).The skinny: As the Wildcats gun for their second 4-0 start since 1962, it's difficult to predict this one because it's not easy to figure out how legitimate Central Michigan's bravura defensive numbers happen to be. The Chippewas have played just one decent team (Temple), but rank fourth nationally in points allowed (9.0 ppg) and 14th in rush defense (79.7 ypg) and pass-efficiency defense (97.39 rating). Northwestern needs to come out of this game feeling better about its run game going into next week's Big Ten opener, so look for the Wildcats to expend extra effort to establish its backs. CMU's passing game will test the secondary, which figures to include sophomore safety Hunter Bates subbing for the injured Jared Carpenter (back) for the second week in a row. Don't forget to show up at least 15 minutes early to get a glimpse of the Stanley Cup.He said it: Pat Fitzgerald summing things up: "We're evolving. I think we're a very young football team. I like where the leadership's at, but I still don't think we're the finished product. That's encouraging to me."