Which of the Wednesday slate MAC games you decide to watch will depend on which brand of MACtion you prefer. Viewers will have a clear choice between highly competent, potential BCS-buster MACtion and the kind of MACtion that’s so bad it’s good.
Wednesday’s college football schedule: Game times, TV coverage for Week 12 MACtion
Here is the schedule for Wednesday and what you need to know to watch the Ball State-Northern Illinois and Miami (OH)-Kent State games.
Jim Rogash
No. 15 Northern Illinois hosts Ball State in a game that could determine the winner of the MAC's West Division and whether the conference will have a chance to send a team to a BCS bowl. Meanwhile, Kent State hosts Miami of Ohio to determine which will take sole possession of the MAC East cellar.
The numbers
Rankings and records: No. 15 Northern Illinois is the MAC’s only ranked team and the conference’s only real shot at securing an at-large BCS bid. Northern Illinois (5-0) and Ball State (6-0) are two of three MAC teams with no conference losses and the only two in the MAC West. Kent State (1-5, 2-8) and Miami (0-5, 0-9) will be fighting to stay out of last place in the MAC East.
Vegas: Northern Illinois is favored to beat Ball State by 7.5 points. The over/under for that game is 72.5. Kent State, despite struggles of its own, is expected to beat Miami (OH) by 17.5. The over/under for that game is 48.
Weather: The skies will be clear in DeKalb, IL, but the air will be frigid, with temperatures approaching the low 30s during the game. Conditions will be about the same in Kent, Ohio.
Three names to know
Jordan Lynch -- Most college football fans became acquainted with Jordan Lynch during the Huskies' historic run to the Orange Bowl last season, and he is once again carrying Northern Illinois on his back during his senior campaign. For the second straight season, Lynch leads the team in both passing and rushing, crossing the thousand-yard barrier in each category both years.
Keith Wenning -- Ball State has a very balanced offensive attack, but it's the Cardinals' senior quarterback who really makes it hum. Through 10 games, Wenning has thrown for 3,164 yards and 27 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions.
Willie Snead -- The Cardinals' junior wide receiver is Wenning's favorite target and has 74 catches for 1,175 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Two things at stake
Northern Illinois can go a long way toward wrapping up its division with a win over Ball State. If the Huskies win, they could clinch the MAC West by beating Toledo next week. If Ball State wins, the Cardinals will need the Huskies to trip up next week against Toledo to get into the MAC conference championship game.
Because Northern Illinois is currently ranked in the top 16 and ahead of UCF and Louisville (the two teams with the best chance of winning the automatic-qualifying AAC), the Huskies could return to a BCS bowl game if they keep winning.
How to witness
TV: Miami of Ohio vs. Kent State will air at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU. Ball State at Northern Illinois will air at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
Radio: Ball State radio affiliates are here; Northern Illinois radio affiliates are here; Miami of Ohio radio affiliates are here; Kent State radio affiliates are here.
Online streaming: Both games can be viewed via WatchESPN.
Further reading
For the NIU perspective, check out Red And Black Attack. To read more about these four teams and the nine other teams in the MAC, head over to Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC community.
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