Throughout the 2008 college football season, Co-Sports Editors Vinnie Lopes and Kyle Shaner and a guest picker will pick the winners of Mid-American Conference football games. After fours week of picking the games' winners, Lopes leads the competition with a 37-4 record. Shaner was 11-1 last week and now has a 35-6 record. This week's guest pick is former SGA President Pro Tempore Kyle Ellis.
Kent State (1-3) at Ball State (4-0)Noon ESPN Gameplan/ESPN360.comFor the first time since 1988 Ball State began the season 4-0. Since 1988, Ball State has won 11 of its 12 meetings against Kent State, its opponent today in the Homecoming game. Last year Ball State beat Western Kentucky 35-12 in its Homecoming game. The Cardinals are trying to win back-to-back Homecoming games for the first time since 2001-02. Kent State is trying to get its first win against a Football Bowl Subdivision team for the first time since Sept. 29, 2007.
Vinnie Lopes: Ball StateKyle Shaner: Ball StateKyle Ellis: Ball State
Virginia Military (2-1) at Ohio (0-4)3:30 p.m.For the first time since 2002 season Ohio has started the season 0-4. Meanwhile the Bobcats' opponent Saturday, Virginia Military, is off to the best start to its season since 2002. Virginia Military is one of two NCAA Division I universities to use a kangaroo as its mascot, with the other being Akron. Ohio is 11-12-1 all-time against schools which use a kangaroo as their mascot. The Zips are 1-0 against Virginia Military as they beat the Keydets 42-14 in 2004.
Lopes: OhioShaner: Virginia MilitaryEllis: Virginia Military
Cincinnati (2-1) at Akron (2-2)3:30 p.m. FSN Ohio/ESPN360.comThe one time Akron played Cincinnati in the Rubber Bowl the Zips came away with a 31-0 win in 1989. The Zips will play host to the Bearcats for the final time in the Rubber Bowl on Saturday, as they are moving to an on-campus stadium next year. The Rubber Bowl, which opened in 1940, is tied for the largest stadium in the MAC. Akron is 191-120-10 all-time in the Rubber Bowl. The Zips are 0-1 at home this year, with a 41-24 loss to Ball State two weeks ago.
Lopes: CincinnatiShaner: CincinnatiEllis: Cincinnati
Bowling Green (1-2) at Wyoming (2-2)4:06 p.m.After beginning the season with a 27-17 win against No. 25 Pittsburgh, Bowling Green has lost back-to-back games against unranked opponents. History is against the Falcons to get back on track this weekend as Wyoming is 5-1 all-time against MAC teams, including a 21-20 win to open its season against Ohio. The Falcons and Cowboys have never played each other, however. Bowling Green is trying to avoiding dropping below .500 through four games for the first time since 2000, the year before Urban Meyer became its head coach.
Lopes: Bowling GreenShaner: Bowling GreenEllis: Bowling Green
Northern Illinois (1-2) at Eastern Michigan (1-3)Noon, ESPN GameplanNorthern Illinois and Eastern Michigan have one thing in common this season: their only win was against Indiana State.After losing its MAC-opener to Western Michigan, Northern Illinois defeated Indiana State 48-3 last week. The Eagles also beat the Sycamores in its season-opener and have proceed to loss its next three games by a combined 83 points.
Lopes: Northern IllinoisShaner: Northern IllinoisEllis: Eastern Michigan
Western Michigan (3-1) at Temple (1-3)2 p.m.Western Michigan will attempt to do something it has not accomplished since 2004: start MAC play 2-0. Western Michigan defeated Northern Illinois in its season opener and also beat Tennessee Tech 41-7 last week. The Broncos lead the conference in sacks with nine. Temple has lost three consecutive games, including a 45-3 loss to No. 15 Penn State last week.
Lopes: Western MichiganShaner: Western MichiganEllis: Western Michigan
Buffalo (2-2) at Central Michigan (2-2)4 p.m.Either Buffalo or Central Michigan will get its first conference loss today. Both teams enter the game 1-0 in the MAC, but are coming off of losses. Buffalo lost to No. 5 Missouri last week, and Central Michigan lost to Purdue after allowing a touchdown with one minute left in the game. The Bulls have never started a MAC season 2-0, and the Chippewas are 14-2 in conference games since 2006.
Lopes: Central MichiganShaner: Central MichiganEllis: Central Michigan
Florida International (0-3) at Toledo (1-2)7 p.m., BCSNAfter almost upsetting No. 25 Fresno State in overtime last week, Toledo will play a home non-conference game. The Rockets, who unveiled a new costume for their mascot earlier this week, have the third-best running offense in the MAC averaging 201.3 yards per game. Florida International has scored 19 combined points in its first three games -¡- all against BCS conference teams.
Lopes: ToledoShaner: ToledoEllis: Toledo
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