The ESPN GameDay crew is broadcasting the first game between two ranked Mid-American Conference teams since 1973.
The 12th ranked Northern Illinois Huskies (7-0) travel to play No. 23 Bowling Green (6-1) at Doyt Perry Stadium Saturday for a 4 p.m. Both teams stand atop the MAC West Division at 3-0.
ESPN commentator Lee Corso promised to bring the crew to Bowling Green after both teams won last week in last Saturday's GameDay segment.
To say the teams are excited for Saturday is an understatement.
It's huge
Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon said. It's a great showcase game for the MAC.
Northern Illinois was ranked 10th when the first Bowl Championship Series poll was released on Monday.
We don't even think about that stuff it's completely out of our control Huskies coach Joe Novak said.
Still, Novak said he realizes his team must do its job.
We have to win the big games on the road
he said.
Bowling Green should provide a formidable challenge. The Falcons are ranked 24th in the BCS poll and are coming off a 33-20 win against Eastern Michigan last week. Quarterback Josh Harris contributed three touchdowns and 283 of the team's 492 total offensive yards.
A Northern Illinois' loss would crush its chance for a BCS bid. Coach Joe Novak had earlier said that the team deserves a shot in the BCS if the Huskies finish undefeated.
Bowling Green's goal is simpler, Brandon said.
Our bowls are the Motor City and GMAC bowls
Brandon said. That's where we're trying to get.
The MAC has a contract with those two bowls.
In either case, Brandon said both teams look forward to the opportunity that Saturday presents.
We're the college football capital of the world for one day
and that's exciting
he said.
Not a two-horse conference
In Miami, the RedHawks are proving that they should not be ignored in the MAC. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 215-yard, two-touchdown performance led the RedHawks to a 49-3 win against Ball State. It marks the sixth consecutive game that Miami has scored more than 40 points.
Saturday Miami plays host to Kent State. The RedHawks have won their last six games and are undefeated at home. The first BCS poll released ranks them 23rd.
Toledo (5-2, 3-0 MAC) also continues to pose a threat to MAC opponents. The Rockets sit atop the MAC West Division standings alongside Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. Toledo travels to play Ball State Saturday.
MAC receivers lead nation
The top three receiving leaders in college football are from the MAC.
Toledo wide receiver Lance Moore leads the nation with 60 receptions. Moore set a school record with 15 catches against Pittsburgh on Sept. 20.
Northern Illinois receiver P.J. Fleck ranks second in the country with 57 receptions. Fleck had 10 catches for 103 yards in the Huskies' win against Western Michigan last week.
Marshall wide receiver Darius Watts shares the No. 3 spot with Purdue wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield. Both receivers have 54 receptions on the season.
17
Archives
Rob Drapcho
