Throughout the 2008 college football season, Co-Sports Editors Vinnie Lopes and Kyle Shaner and a guest will pick the winners involving MAC teams. This week's guest is Mike Stevens, WCRD sports director.
Toledo at MichiganNoon Saturday, Big Ten Network
In 1835 Michigan and Ohio argued about the boundary line between the states, although Michigan was a territory. The dispute was about a 486-square-mile area, which included Toledo. As tensions mounted, both states sent troops to Toledo to stake their claim. The conflict is known as The Toledo War. The one casualty was when Monroe County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Wood of Michigan was wounded by a stabbing. The U.S. government intervened, giving Ohio Toledo and Michigan the upper peninsula.
Lopes: MichiganShaner: MichiganStevens: Michigan
E. Michigan at Army1 p.m. Saturday
Eastern Michigan has an ROTC program, but it has never been able to defeat one of the United States' military institutions. The Eagles are 0-3 all-time against Army and Navy (they have never played Air Force). Eastern Michigan is 0-1 all-time against Army, losing 57-17 in the teams' one previous meeting in 1992. The Black Knights have lost their last three games against MAC teams, including losses to Temple and Akron this season. Army last beat a MAC team Sept. 29, 2007, when it beat Temple 37-21.
Lopes: Eastern MichiganShaner: Eastern MichiganStevens: Army
Miami at N. Illinois4 p.m. Saturday
Miami and Northern Illinois have the two best defenses in the MAC. They also have the two best punting units in the conference. However, neither team has a winning record - overall or in the conference. Although the Huskies have a losing record, they have out scored their opponents by 71 points this season. Each of their three losses were by four points or less while both of their wins were by at least 37 points. Miami's average loss this year has been by 18.5 points while its one win was by a nine-point margin.
Lopes: Northern IllinoisShaner: Northern IllinoisStevens: Miami
Ohio at Kent State3 p.m. Saturday
Tied for the conference's worst record at 1-5, Kent State and Ohio will play each other in an attempt to get their first conference wins and first wins against a Football Bowl Subdivision team of the season.Kent State beat Delware State early this year, and Ohio beat the Virginia Military Institute.
Lopes: Kent StateShaner: OhioStevens: Kent State
W. Michigan at Buffalo 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Two of the conference's passing leaders will meet this week.Western Michigan's Tim Heller leads the conference with 283.5 passing yards per game - 5.5 more yards than Ball State's Nate Davis. Buffalo's Drew Willy is third averaging 259.8 passing yards per game.
Lopes: BuffaloShaner: Western MichiganStevens: Buffalo
Bowling Green at Akron3 p.m. Saturday
Moving to InfoCision Stadium next season, this will be the Zips' last homecoming game at the MAC's oldest stadium.Akron defeated Kent State last week. Bowling Green lost to Eastern Michigan last week - the second time the Eagles beat the Falcons in more than 10 years.
Lopes: AkronShaner: Bowling GreenStevens: Bowling Green
No. 25 Ball State at W. Kentucky6 p.m. Saturday
For the first time in its 84-year program history, Ball State will play as a nationally ranked team Saturday. The Cardinals will also be the first ranked Football Bowl Subdivision team to visit Western Kentucky's Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky is 0-2 this season against ranked teams, with a 41-7 loss to then No. 11 Alabama Sept. 13, and a 27-13 loss to then No. 20 Virginia Tech last week. The Hilltoppers last ended a team's undefeated streak of six games in 1997 when they beat New Haven 24-21 in a Division I-AA game.
Lopes: Ball StateShaner: Ball StateFriend: Ball State
StandingVinnie Lopes: 48-8Kyle Shaner: 45-11Guest: 42-14
Check the DN every week for the weekend MAC schedule and the predictions.
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