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Game of the week
Bowling Green (1-4) at Ohio University (2-3), 2 p.m.
A football team's won-lost record is personal to the players and coaches. The product of their toil is a constant reminder of where they stand with themselves and the public.
Bowling Green and Ohio spent the week leading to this critical game talking about where they are and where they want to go.
"We're two plays away from being a 3-2 team," Falcons coach Dave Clawson said, referring to a 28-26 loss to Buffalo and 30-27 loss to Troy. "But we didn't make those plays, and we are what we are."
Bobcats coach Frank Solich could dwell on a 24-23 loss at Marshall that wasn't decided until a two-point conversion pass fell incomplete with no time remaining.
He hasn't done that.
"Look at our record and we have to feel somewhat fortunate about losing the turnover battle four of five games," Solich said.
Records will mean plenty after this game. The loser will be in a deep pit with two losses in the Mid-American Conference East.
At the midway point in the season, no other team in the conference has as much promise but as many problems as BG. The Falcons are high-octane, averaging 27.6 points per game. They have forced 14 turnovers. On the other hand, they are giving up 36.8 points a game. Buffalo converted 19 third downs against the Falcons last week.
Clawson has gone with backup quarterback Aaron Pankratz because Matt Schilz is out with an injury.
"Sometimes you have seasons where not everybody is rowing the boat, but that isn't happening with our team," Clawson said. "Our team is showing resiliency and toughness, and playing four quarters. But there are so many things we need to get cleaned up on defense."
Ohio might be finding itself behind Boo Jackson. He finally might have grabbed the starting quarterback job last week, completing 15 of 24 passes for 218 yards in a 30-17 victory over Eastern Michigan.
The Bobcats have beaten the Falcons four straight at home since 1999.
"This will be a huge ballgame," Solich said. "There are a lot of challenges for us. Bowling Green has had a chance to win most of its games. Their record is not indicative of what they are all about, and our players understand that. We're 2-3, and I hope our players know we can be a better football team."
Best of the rest
Miami University (3-2) at Cincinnati (1-3), 7 p.m.
This has been a series of teams going in opposite directions, with UC winning three straight as went a long way toward establishing itself as a Big East mover and shaker and a factor in the BCS. Miami has won three games in a season for the first time since 2007, but getting No. 4 will be difficult against a team that has won 11 straight games in Nippert Stadium.
Akron (0-5) at Kent State (1-3), 3:30 p.m.
The Wagon Wheel traveling trophy hasn't had any tread wear of late. Kent State has lost four straight games and 11 of the last 13 to its neighbor 12 miles away.
Capital (2-2) at Ohio Northern (3-1), 1:30 p.m.
New Capital quarterback Kory Hartinger, a junior from Circleville, lit it up last week, throwing for 339 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Heidelberg. But the Crusaders gave up 50 points to the Student Princes and 42 points in a three-touchdown loss to Wesley two weeks ago.
Otterbein (3-1) at Baldwin-Wallace (4-0), 2 p.m.
It will be difficult for Otterbein to win a third straight game against B-W, which is playing its best football since making the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2003. B-W is plus nine in turnovers.
mznidar@dispatch.com
