#MACtion Open Chat: We still play football on Saturdays

What's bound to happen when you introduce weekinight games is that the "highlight" games of the year tend to end up being nationally televised on the Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of the week, which leaves the secondary matchups for Saturday, when the eyes of the nation are upon the other conferences.

This week is no different, as Akron takes on Miami and Massachusetts takes on Easter Michigan in two clashes that should help determine  really weird tiebreakers, as well as Akron's bowl eligibility.

Akron (4-5, 2-3 MAC) is the team with the best record in this weekend's slate, and cannot afford a loss here if they hope to grab a bowl game in a MAC that looks more crowded than ever with bowl eligible teams, thanks to the recent addition of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Thomas Woodson seems to be the guy at quarterback and has brought a great duel-threat presence to the Zips, where any offense is much needed. The Zips rushing defense, one fo the best in the MAC, should give opponents problems.

Speaking of opponents and problems, Miami (2-8, 1-5 MAC) is not only unsettled at quarterback (with Gus Ragland and Billy Bahl splitting reps at the position,) but also at running back (with three different backs, including Alonzo Smith and Kenny Young), with Jared Murphy really the onbly reliable passing target. Miami had a big win last week, but it was against a weak EMU.

Akron will take on Miami at Noon EST at InfoCision Stadium. The game will be televised on the American SPorts Network and streamed on ESPN3.

Massachusetts (1-9, 1-5 MAC) has had a croaker of a swan song season thus far this year, with every major position group regressing as the season comes along. Tajae Sharpe has been a bright spot, leading the FBS in targets, but Blake Frohnaphel has been uncharacteristically inaccurate, costing the Minutemen a lot.

We all know Eastern Michigan's (1-8, 0-5 MAC) problems. An abysmal run defense, a woeful pass offense, and a general culture of unmitigated "BAD". Through the muck and mire, Darius Jackson and Shaq Vann have been reliable options at running back, making up one of the best running duos in the MAC. If the ine could protect better, EMU could very well be in position to make a run,

Massachusetts visits lovely Eastern Michigan at The Factory (Rynearson Stadium) at 3 p.m. EST. The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN3.

Remember: drink in the spirit of #MACtion and don't be that guy in the comments.

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Here are the numbers for all you Pick 'Em prognosticators, in case you were wondering about those.

Akron Zips (83.5%) vs. Miami RedHawks
Massachusetts Minutemen (55%) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles

High:

UMass (2.5%)

Akron/EMU (1.3%)

No Miami votes. :(

Low:

Miami (29%)

EMU/UMass (15%)

No Akron votes