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Line: Central Michigan by 2 1/2.
Series Record: First meeting.
Mid-major credibility. Both teams took strides this year to establish themselves as regular threats. A win would push either team to a school record for victories and the prime-time matchup gives the teams the kind of exposure they don't normally get.
Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour vs. the Troy secondary. Injuries and inexperience hampered Troy's secondary much of the season, but coach Larry Blakeney thinks the unit has rounded into shape. They'll face one of the toughest challenges of the season against LeFevour, a record-setting quarterback who could clinch several career milestones in the game.
Central Michigan: WRs Bryan Anderson and Antonio Brown. Every great quarterback needs a wingman. LeFevour has two. Anderson has caught a pass in an NCAA record 53 straight games and can add one more to the record against Troy. Brown leads all active receivers with 292 career catches. Anderson is a step behind with 283.
Troy: QB Levi Brown. The Sun Belt Conference player of the year won't get as much attention as counterpart Dan LeFevour, but he's had a great season of his own. The senior completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,868 yards with 22 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
LeFevour can move into second place on the FBS's career total yards list with 154 against Troy. ... Troy plays in January for the first time and can set a school record with 10 wins for the first time since joining the FBS. ... The GMAC Bowl has gained a new partner. The Sun Belt Conference will replace the Atlantic Coast Conference in the bowl next season. The ACC was supposed to provide a team this year, but didn't have enough eligible, opening the door for Troy. ... Steve Striplin has been a coach for more than 30 years, but will serve as head coach for the first time in the game.
