2008 Woodie Awards
Rivalry game finally here
By: Robbie Sgro
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Central v Western
- Page 1 of 1
Here we are, fewer than 48 hours from yet another Central/Western game with Mid-American Conference West Division implications.
It feels all too familiar, except for one thing - we're talking about this on a Monday, which means the game is on a Tuesday night.
Thanks, ESPN. Thanks, MAC officials.
Now that complaints about the terrible scheduling are almost over, we can finally look forward to the game itself.
Despite one of the worst days of the week for the game to be played on, a contest like this is the reason people should look forward to rivalry games.
Western is essentially out of the MAC West Division title picture. Central has the MAC West essentially wrapped up.
It's the biggest game of the season for both teams. For the Broncos, it's an obvious reason - they have nothing else to play for but spoiling Central's season. For the Chippewas, they can not only beat their biggest rival and clinch the MAC West, but they can do it the same way they did it last season.
A second straight win against Western would be all too sweet for CMU. It would establish itself as a staying power in the MAC in perhaps a place they would least like to stay - Kalamazoo.
But why, even though the Broncos are coming off a 19-2 loss against Eastern Michigan and Central has outscored its divisional opponents by an average of 22 points, do the Chippewas not feel like an overwhelming favorite? Because this is a rivalry game, and anything can happen.
Dan LeFevour could have an off game in a hostile Waldo Stadium environment. The Broncos could score an offensive touchdown for the first time since Oct. 20. Heck, Western coach Bill Cubit could even let his players talk to the media over here in Mount Pleasant.
Here are the two big constants, however.
The home team is 15-2 in the last 17 meetings. Advantage, Western.
The Chippewas have Dan LeFevour. Advantage, Central.
One is in the present, the other is in the past. LeFevour is on pace to become the best quarterback in school history, and even though weather forecasts are predicting rain and snow, he should still be more than enough to go into Waldo Stadium and get Central its first win there since 1993.
rsgro@cm-life.com
It feels all too familiar, except for one thing - we're talking about this on a Monday, which means the game is on a Tuesday night.
Thanks, ESPN. Thanks, MAC officials.
Now that complaints about the terrible scheduling are almost over, we can finally look forward to the game itself.
Despite one of the worst days of the week for the game to be played on, a contest like this is the reason people should look forward to rivalry games.
Western is essentially out of the MAC West Division title picture. Central has the MAC West essentially wrapped up.
It's the biggest game of the season for both teams. For the Broncos, it's an obvious reason - they have nothing else to play for but spoiling Central's season. For the Chippewas, they can not only beat their biggest rival and clinch the MAC West, but they can do it the same way they did it last season.
A second straight win against Western would be all too sweet for CMU. It would establish itself as a staying power in the MAC in perhaps a place they would least like to stay - Kalamazoo.
But why, even though the Broncos are coming off a 19-2 loss against Eastern Michigan and Central has outscored its divisional opponents by an average of 22 points, do the Chippewas not feel like an overwhelming favorite? Because this is a rivalry game, and anything can happen.
Dan LeFevour could have an off game in a hostile Waldo Stadium environment. The Broncos could score an offensive touchdown for the first time since Oct. 20. Heck, Western coach Bill Cubit could even let his players talk to the media over here in Mount Pleasant.
Here are the two big constants, however.
The home team is 15-2 in the last 17 meetings. Advantage, Western.
The Chippewas have Dan LeFevour. Advantage, Central.
One is in the present, the other is in the past. LeFevour is on pace to become the best quarterback in school history, and even though weather forecasts are predicting rain and snow, he should still be more than enough to go into Waldo Stadium and get Central its first win there since 1993.
rsgro@cm-life.com
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