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 one week one picking the games' winners, Lopes leads the competition with a 9-1 record. Both Shaner and last week's guest picker, former Daily News sports editor and editor of the Ball State sports blog The Sixth Ball Brother Phil Friend, went 8-2 on the week.
Navy (1-0) at Ball State (1-0)7 p.m. ESPNFor the second time in school history ESPN will be coming to Muncie.Navy and Ball State scored more than 40 points in their season openers last week as the Cardinals defeated Northeastern and Navy beat Towson.For more about this game, pick up a copy of CHIRP, a supplement to The Ball State Daily News, for your complete game-day coverage.
Vinnie Lopes: Ball StateKyle Shaner: Ball StateAnthony Edmonds, history professor: Navy
Ohio (0-1) at Ohio State (1-0)Noon Saturday, ESPNAfter a week one loss to Wyoming, things do not get any easier this week for Ohio. The Bobcats travel to Columbus, Ohio, to play the No. 3 team in the nation, Ohio State. One advantage Ohio might have this week is Ohio State running back Chris Wells will not play Saturday. Last week the Bobcats allowed 160 rushing yards, the fifth worst out of the MAC teams. Ohio State ran for 251 yards against Youngstown State last week, 111 of which came from Wells.
Lopes: Ohio StateShaner: Ohio StateEdmonds: Ohio State
Miami (0-1) at Michigan (0-1)Noon Saturday, ESPN2Last year Michigan began the season with two losses. The Wolverines lost their season opener for the second consecutive year, and Miami will look to push Michigan's record to 0-2 again. The RedHawks are 0-4 all-time against the Wolverines and most recently lost 38-19 in 2004. On the season, Miami has more passing yards than Michigan, 244 to 167, and rushing yards, 96 to 36. The RedHawks have the MAC's seventh best offense and ninth best defense after one week of play.
Lopes: MichiganShaner: MiamiEdmonds: Michigan
Connecticut (1-0) at Temple (1-0)Noon Saturday, ESPNUWith a win against Army to open the season last week, Temple matched or surpassed its season win total of three of the past five seasons. One of the other two seasons, the Owls won two games, which they will try to match this week against Connecticut. The Huskies are coming off a 35-3 win against Hofstra, in which they limited the Pride to 40 rushing yards. Temple ran for 84 yards last week on 30 carries, which was in the middle of the MAC schools.
Lopes: ConnecticutShaner: ConnecticutEdmonds: Connecticut
Eastern Michigan (1-0) at Michigan State (0-1)Noon Saturday, Big Ten NetworkIn the third quarter last week against Football Championship Subdivision team, Indiana State, Eastern Michigan took out many of its starters in an eventual 52-0 win. This week the Eagles have to travel to East Lansing, Mich., to play Michigan State, a team that made Champs Sports Bowl last year. Eastern Michigan ran for more than 400 yards last week and threw for more than 200. Michigan State is trying to rebound from a 38-31 loss at California.
Lopes: Michigan StateShaner: Michigan StateEdmonds: Michigan State
Central Michigan (1-0) at No. 2 Georgia (1-0)3:30 p.m. Saturday, FSN SouthCentral Michigan picked the wrong time to play its first game against Georgia.Following a win against Georgia Southern 45-21 in their season opener, the Bulldogs fell from No. 1 to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll released Monday. Georgia has won eight straight games, including the 2008 Sugar Bowl, and quarterback Matthew Stafford had a career-high 275 yards in Saturday's win.Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour threw for 217 yards and had 172 rushing yards in Chippewas' 31-12 win against Eastern Illinois last week.This is the first time Central Michigan has played one of the top-two ranked teams in the nation since it lost to then-No. 1 University of Florida in 1997.
Lopes: GeorgiaShaner: GeorgiaEdmonds: Georgia
Akron (0-1) at Syracuse (0-1)3:30 p.m. Saturday, FSN OhioTwo teams that lost by at least 20 points to Big Ten teams in their season openers will play each other in New York.Akron enters Saturday's game after a 38-17 loss to No. 13 Wisconsin, and Northwestern defeated Syracuse 30-10 and held the Orange to 225 total yards on offense.The Zips have not won a non-conference road game since they beat North Carolina State 20-17 in 2006. In addition, Akron has lost six of its last seven games.
Lopes: AkronShaner: AkronEdmonds: Syracuse
Buffalo (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-1)6 p.m. SaturdayPittsburgh began the season ranked No. 25 in the nation but lost its ranking after a 27-17 loss to Bowling Green to begin the season, in a game which the Panthers led 14-0 at one point. Pittsburgh will get another chance to beat a MAC team this week when they play Buffalo. The Bulls began their season with a 42-17 win against UTEP. Quarterback Drew Willy earned the Mid-American Conference East Division Offensive Co-Player of the Week after throwing for 221 yards last week.
Lopes: PittsburghShaner: PittsburghEdmonds: Pittsburgh
Northern Illinois (0-1) at Western Michigan (0-1)7 p.m. SaturdayNorthern Illinois and Western Michigan will play the first conference game of the season and the only MAC game scheduled for the weekend.Both teams are 0-1 and had losing records last season.In its season opener, Western Michigan lost by 23 points to Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday. Quarterback Tim Hiller was 30-of-49 and threw for 342 yards against the Huskers. Defensive end Larry English had a sack in the Huskies 31-27 loss to Minnesota and now has the 14th most career sacks in MAC history with 24.5.
Lopes: Western MichiganShaner: Western MichiganEdmonds: Western Michigan
Kent State (0-1) at Iowa State (1-0)7 p.m. SaturdayEugene Jarvis' attempt to repeat as the conference rushing leader is not off to the best start.Jarvis had 51 rushing yards as Boston College defeated Kent State 21-0 in the season opener. Iowa State allowed 180 yards in its 44-17 win against South Dakota State last week. The Cyclones defense also average 136.1 rushing yards per game last season, sixth best in the Big 12.Kent State is on an eight-game losing streak and is 4-1 all-time against Iowa State.
Lopes: Iowa StateShaner: Kent StateEdmonds: Iowa State
Minnesota (1-0) at Bowling Green (1-0)7:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPNUAfter defeating then-No. 25 Pittsburgh in its season opener, Bowling Green will attempt to beat another BCS conference team.The Falcons' defense enters its game against Minnesota after creating four turnovers in the season opener. Bowling Green also had four sacks and seven pass break-ups in the win. Minnesota defeated Northern Illinois 31-27 last week to record its second win since 2006.This is third time the two schools will play each other, including Bowling Green's 32-21 win last season.
Lopes: Bowling GreenShaner: Bowling GreenEdmonds: Bowling Green
Toledo (0-0) at Arizona (1-0)10 p.m. SaturdayThe one MAC team yet to open its 2008 season, Toledo, sees its first game action Saturday at Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a 70-0 win against Idaho last week. Last year Toledo's defense was last in the MAC, allowing 39.2 points per game. The Rockets' rush defense was worst in the MAC and their pass defense was third worst. Against Idaho, Arizona threw for and rushed for more than 250 yards. Toledo's offense was second in the conference with 32.9 points per game last year.
Lopes: ArizonaShaner: ArizonaEdmonds: Arizona
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