Saturday MAC Games: Hit The Bricks, Pick Up Sticks

I don't know what that means either. But it rhymes.

Is this a trap game? Only if you count the Owls secondary accidentally walking into a barrage of interceptions. Last week Temple switched quarterbacks, and that seemed to help, so perhaps Alex Zordich takes over for Jerry Davis. Maybe that's the catalyst to cause a minor upset, propelling the Bulls up in the wacky East standings, causing Temple to spiral downwards into ... nah. Guess: Temple 24, Buffalo 16

No, really. Are you goddamn kidding me? The most intriguing conference game of the weekend ... and every other game is televised? What a sad pack of hyenas we all are.

It didn't look like much a month ago, but Miami's a perfect 3-0 in MAC play, and OHIO has just the one loss. That RedHawks passing game and defense continue look more Ewbankian with every game, and then you have the dual-quarterback pistol look and feel of the Bobcat pack.

Plus, this is one of the fewer-discussed rivalries in the MAC. We know about Akron-Kent State, Toledo-BG, and and the WMU/CMU/EMU hate-triangle. But Southern Ohio's got the Battle of the Bricks. And I'll be damned if we, as a nation, are going to overlook a fight over masonry.

However, I'm still not buying into Miami as a contender. While neither of 'em really have a solid win, OHIO's been pulling away from games while MU's eking them out. Put your money on green. Guess: OHIO 33, Miami 27

Mmmm ... a disappointment sandwich. Kent State's defense was supposed to be better. BG's offense was supposed to ... well, exist. One the blue and gold hand, Spencer Keith is getting worse, although the running's getting better. And then on the orange and brown side, the porous secondary just got holier than thou, despite their FBS-leading four defensive touchdowns. But we know this: there will be sobbing. Guess: Kent State 38, BGSU 30

Probably the most drastic difference in road game traditions for WMU. From South Bend, where everything's gold and shiny, to Akron, where the gold is more of an iron pyrite.

I don't want to give up on the Zips. I mean, they're losing, but they're doing their best ... they just reek. Their closest game was the 11-point loss to Kent State for the Wagon Wheel. And they only lost by 15 to Indiana. So it's humanly possible to make this close, although WMU did play ND rather hard for a half, when they didn't give up the big play. Okay, we'll make this one close, because it is winnable. Guess: WMU 27, Akron 23

Okay, Huskies. For whatever reason, I talked you boys WAY up this week. Don't make me look bad. Yes, write that on the chalkboard; win this one for the blogger. And win big. Guess: NIU 38, CMU 13

Our oddball 13th-team-out this week is plucky EMU, who still have that blushing-bride glow after the Ball State win. But now it's ferserious time. The Cavaliers of Virginia may have two wins, but they're over FCS teams (Richmond, VMI). That's really all we know. But, here's your double preview all the way. Guess: Virginia 28, EMU 14

Oh, and Toledo's still good, too. An easy decision: when one beat writer focuses on the improving defensive line, and the other team is losing running backs by the bushelful, then we can see this one playing out. Guess: Toledo 41, Ball State 14