Links pertaining to the MAC West schools.
Western Michigan — ACTING! This goes beyond alum Tim Allen wearing their sweatshirt as a fictional power tool huckster. Former players Tim Balice and Scott Gajos will play the convincing roles of "Football Players"" in an upcoming Kurt Russell flick, Touchback. They're filming the movie in western Michigan -- the area, not the college -- and all sorts of former high schools stars went through open tryouts to land spots on the movie rosters. Ex-Toledo player Bernard Faithful is also one of the players, and Barry Sanders is also in it, although I surmise he didn't try out.
Toledo — There's a reason I'm always high on Rockets football every year, even as a BG fan. They've got a strong fanbase, and moreover, they occasionally whup on whichever AQ-conference team strolls into the Glass Bowl. (See: dropping 50 on Colorado, once beating Minnesota 38-7, taking down Pittsburgh during the Bruce Gradkowski years). This year the season opener's Arizona, and that's why the Tucson Citizen's Javier Morales would rather see the Wildcats play Iowa in Glendale, Arizona. After all, desert folk can't stand the humidity. And what's with these "time zones?"
Ball State — Nobody loves a showoff, Aaron Mershman. The backup quarterback's job is to sit on the bench and wish that something non life-threatening would happen to the No. 1 guy, causing him to leave the field so he could instead play. But Mershman has other less backstabby plans by possibly playing some halfback and special teams. Let me guess; you also want to design next year's media guide?
Eastern Michigan — How slow is it for the Eagles? The biggest story I can drum up is the 40th anniversary of their national championship cross country team. Remember when those guys ran a long distance, better than anyone else?
Central Michigan — Don't be sad when you hear a player is suspended for "violation of team rules," then never find out what it is. Usually the truth isn't very interesting (tardiness is rather dull) but when running back Zurlon Tipton will miss two games because of it, all we can do is speculate and make up random stories. Perhaps he was bragging to his teammates that he has such a badass first name.
Northern Illinois — Well, heck, if they're not gonna play along and say who their starting quarterback is, then we'll just move on.