From: pfleming@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Patrick E Fleming)
Subject: MAC preview for September 5, 1992
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 17:54:19 GMT


MAC Conference Standings
------------------------

                   Conference             Overall
Team               W   L   T    pct.      W   L   T    pct.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Akron              0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Ball State         0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Bowling Green      0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
C. Michigan        0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
E. Michigan        0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Kent               0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Miami              0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Ohio               0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
Toledo             0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000
W. Michigan        0   0   0    .000      0   0   0    .000


Games for September 5
---------------------

Akron @ E. Michigan: The Zips debut as a member of the MAC against a team which
                     limped to a 3-7-1 record although the Eagles did finish
strong.  Seventh year Akron coach Jerry Faust will try to improve on the Zips
5-6 slate from a year ago.  The Zips, too, ended their season strong, winning
four out of their final six games.  My pick, Akron by 7.

Arkansas St. @ Toledo: Ray Perkins will be challanged to lead an Indians teams
                       back to the ranks of Div. I-A.  While the Indians return
a veteran recieving corps, they will be hard pressed to stop a strong Rocket
offense as Arkansas St. attempts to rebuild a defense which allowed 361 points
last season.  Further, The Indians 1-10 mark was their worst in fifty years.
Can Ray Perkins do for Arkansas St. what Bill Walsh was to do for Stanford?
Not this week.  My pick, Toledo by 7.

Ball St. @ Clemson: No one can accuse the Cardinals of ducking the competition.
                    Paul Schudel will lead a veteran team into Death Valley
featuring 8 returning starters on defense.  However, Ken Hatfield will have the
Tigers up to open their season and avenge an embarrassing 37-13 loss to
California in the Citrus Bowl.  The real question in this game is whether or
not the Clemson players will abide by hatfield's new code of ethics.  My pick,
Clemson by 10.

C. Michigan @ Kentucky: The Chippewas will need this game to tune up for a
                        rematch with Michigan St. on Sep. 12.  Kentucky is out
to improve on last season's 3-8 mark including 0-7 in the SEC.  The Wildcats
will rely on the play of linebacker Marty Moore, who lead the SEC with 181
tackles last season, to stop the Chippewa running game.  Central Michigan must
replace major components of last year's team which knocked of Michigan St. (and
seemed to tie everybody else) such as tailback Billy Smith who lead the MAC in
rushing last season with 1,440 yards.  My pick, Kentucky by 4.

Kent @ Pittsburgh: The Golden Falshes were 1-10 last season with the one
                   victory coming over a strong Toledo team.  The Panthers
limped to a 6-5 record last season after opening with five consecutive
victories.  Second year Flash coach Pete Cordelli will need impresive
performances out of his defense which returns eight starters.  They will have
to contend with a veteran Pather offense which also returns eight starters
including All-America cnadidate Alex Van Pelt who is coming off of elbow
surgery.  My pick, Pitsburgh by 14.

Miami @ West Virginia: The Redskins will turn to a veteran sqaud on offense to
                       try to support a strong defensive unit which has been
the strength of the Miami team.  The Redskins return Curt McMillan at
linebacker who was last year's MAC defensive player of the year and lead the
nation with 204 tackles.  This could be the year that Miami will finally climb
to the top rung of the MAC ladder after going winless only four seasopns ago.
My pick, Miami by 3.

Ohio @ Iowa St: The Bobcats will rely on the services of veteran skill-position
                players to try to improve on last season's 2-8-1 record.
"Necessity is the mother of invention" is certainly true for the Cyclones who
will feature an option attack this year after being forced into it last season
after losing three quarterbacks to injuries.  With three returning starters at
linebacker and good experience in the secondary, third year coach Tom
Lichtenberg and Ohio might be able to post four wins for the first time since
1982.  My pick, Ohio by 1.

W. Michigan @ Bowling Green: The Falcons swept through the MAC like a hot knife
                             through butter and then shocked everybody by
knocking off a heavily favored Fresno St. team in the California Bowl.  Bowling
Green returns veterans at te skill positions, but must replace three out of 
five starters on the offensive line.  The Broncos line will feature Paul 
Hutchins, a 6-6 330 pound tackle.  Also returning for the Broncos will be 
quarterback Brad Tayles who is only the third quarterback to throw for over 
6,000 yards in three years in the MAC, but he also threw 17 interceptions last 
season.  My pick, Bowling Green by 7.
-- 
- Patrick E. Fleming ----------------------------------------------------------
- Department of Chemistry --- Through the window I could see it hanging from --
- The Ohio State University --------- a tree and I knew that I had survived ---
- pfleming@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu ------------------------------------------
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