Bowling Green (6-4) vs. Buffalo (4-6)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
In the last 21 years, Buffalo has one winning season, but the Bulls have a chance to finish the season 6-6 and win the MAC East if they win their final two games of the season. Buffalo enters its game against Bowling Green with the second-worst passing defense in the MAC, allowing 231.4 yards per game. However, the Falcons lead the MAC in passing offense, averaging 292.7 yards per game. Also, Bowling Green quarterback Tyler Sheehan is second in the conference with 2,650 passing yards.
Vinnie Lopes, Managing Editor: BuffaloKyle Shaner, Sports Editor: Bowling GreenJoe Vallee, Men's tennis player: Bowling Green
Eastern Michigan (3-8) vs. Central Michigan (6-4)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
Eastern Michigan finishes its season when it travels to Central Michigan Friday. Central Michigan already clinched the MAC West Division title with a 34-31 win against Western Michigan Nov. 6. Regardless of the game's outcome, the Eagles will have their 11th consecutive year of four wins or fewer. With a win, the Chippewas would have three consecutive winning seasons, something they have not done since 1985. Central Michigan won last year's matchup 24-17 and leads the all-time series 53-25-6.
Lopes: Central MichiganShaner: Central MichiganVallee: Central Michigan
Western Michigan (3-7) vs. Iowa (6-5)Game time: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
For the first time since 1965, Iowa will finish its regular season with a non-conference game. The Hawkeyes starting the season 2-4, but have won four of their last five games and became bowl eligible Saturday with a 21-16 win against the University of Minnesota. Offensively, Iowa is averaging 331 yards per game, worst in the Big Ten and 112th in the nation. Western Michigan has a three-game losing streak and is 0-1 against the Big Ten this season. Also, Bronco tight end Branden Ledbetter enters this game after receiving the John Mackey National Tight End of the Week award Wednesday.
Lopes: IowaShaner: IowaVallee: Iowa
Northern Illinois (2-8) vs. Navy (6-4)Game time: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Navy will play its third game of the season against a team from the MAC Saturday. The Midshipmen opened their season with a 30-19 win against Temple and then lost to Ball State 34-31 in overtime. Navy has already secured a bowl as they accepted an invitation to play in the Poinsettia Bowl Monday. Northern Illinois is coming off a 27-20 win against Kent State last week. It was the Huskies' first win of the season against a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Lopes: NavyShaner: NavyVallee: Navy
Kent State (3-7) vs. Temple (3-7)Game time: Noon Saturday
The two teams with the conference's best defenses will play each other Saturday. Temple's defense leads the MAC, allowing 380 yards per game, and Kent State's 386.8 yards=per-game average is ranked second in the conference. Also, the Owls' Junior Galette and Andre Neblett are ranked in the MAC's top 10 for sacks this season. Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis is first in the conference with 1,429 rushing yards and is averaging 142.9 yards per game.
Lopes: TempleShaner: Kent StateVallee: Temple
Obscure game of the weekCollege of Mount St. Joseph (9-1) vs. Wabash College (9-1)
In the first round of the Division III playoffs, Wabash plays host to Mount St. Joseph. The Little Giants of Wabash won the North Coast Athletic Conference championship for the third straight year and are the third seed in the "Wisconsin-Whitewater bracket." The Mount St. Joseph Lions are the sixth seed, as they finished second in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Lions have shut out two of their last three opponents while the Little Giants are coming off a loss last week on a last-second field goal.Lopes: Mount St. JosephShaner: WabashVallee: Wabash
Pick 'em standingsSports Editor Kyle Shaner gained ground on Managing Editor Vinnie Lopes for the second consecutive week with a 5-1 record last week. Lopes and the guest picker softball coach Craig Nicholson both went 4-2 last week. Each week Lopes, Shaner and a guest from the newspaper or the Ball State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will project the MAC games.
Lopes: 27-14 Shaner: 26-15 Guests: 24-17
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