11-17-13 WMU-CMU_IMG_8106

Central Michigan senior Zurlon Tipton holds up the Cannon Trophy after the Chippewas beat the Broncos 27-22 at Waldo Stadium on Nov. 16 last year.

(MLive file photo)

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan football coach P.J. Fleck called Saturday's game against Central Michigan the next game on the schedule.

But, the second-year coach acknowledged that it's much more than that to a lot of people in both communities and in both locker rooms.

WMU has a countdown clock to Saturday's game in the locker room, there is a trophy room in the Bill Brown Center with spots for the Cannon Trophy and the Michigan MAC trophy, which are both on the line this week.

This is a big date that gets circled on the calendar.

"The most important game of the year is coming up," Fleck said. "It's our MAC championship, it's our national championship, it's everything to us, it's a rivalry game and it's everything. This is the biggest game of the year. It's probably the biggest game since I've been here. All of the cards are aligning for a heck of a football game with two good football teams. They're tough teams."

Western Michigan football coach P.J. Fleck reacts after a fourth down play during a 27-22 loss to Central Michigan on Nov. 16 last year.

The Broncos lost 27-22 last year at Waldo Stadium. WMU finished the season with one win while CMU went on to earn bowl eligibility.

Both teams are already bowl eligible entering Saturday and both are playing good football, which should heighten what is always an intense three hours of football.

"I think it's one of the top 10 rivalries in all of college football," he said. "We put that up in our building because we truly believe that. That's what some of the magazines had said about it. It's a very emotional game. It's not between states.

"It's a civil war if you think of it. The two teams are similar and always have been. They're tough, they're not far apart, they recruit the same kids, they believe in the same things and it's fun when two teams get together like that because it's a true rivalry. You never know who's going to win."

The Broncos (7-3, 5-1 MAC) are 45-37-2 all-time against Central Michigan (7-4, 5-2 MAC). WMU is 2-3 in its last five games against CMU and 1-4 in its last five trips to Mt. Pleasant. WMU won 42-31 at Central Michigan in 2012.

Chippewas coach Dan Enos is 2-2 against the Broncos.

Western Michigan is favored by 1.5 points over CMU, according to oddsmakers.

WMU VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Kelly-Shorts Stadium, Mt. Pleasant

Records: WMU 7-3 (5-1 MAC); CMU 7-4 (5-2 MAC)

Coaches: WMU: P.J. Fleck (8-14, 2nd year); CMU: Dan Enos (26-34, 5th year)

Series: WMU leads 45-37-2 all-time

Last year: CMU won 27-22

Online: ESPN3.com

Radio: WZOX-FM (96.5)

Email David Drew at ddrew1@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.