Chris Jordan Saturday's winners ...
200♦ MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE - The Blue Raiders are stepping out of conference for a quick cup of coffee with SEC-member Mississippi State, and there's something telling me Middle Tennessee State is the value with the point spread sitting this low. This is a team that started the season playing Clemson, Memphis and Maryland, and though this isn't a deadly SEC trio to boast about, it is decent competition for a mid-major team out of the Sun Belt Conference. And with the No. 1 passing offense from their league, and 21st in the entire nation, I'm betting the Raiders will pass all over the 78th-ranked pass defense. Mississippi State has lost three straight game - all at home, to LSU, Georgia Tech and Houston - and could get caught looking ahead to Florida next week. Perhaps that's why this line is so low. Whatever the case, I can't imagine the Oddsmakers have the line where it is for any other reason except they're begging you to take the road chalk. So, I'm playing the home pup.

200♦ CENTRAL MICHIGAN - This is the biggest rivalry for the Chippewas, and since the seniors on this team are 3-0 so far against Western Michigan, I'm thinking CMU continues to play dominating football in MAC play. At 5-1, the Chipps haven't looked back since a season-opening loss at Arizona. That includes a win at Michigan State, and four wins thereafter by an average final of 43-10. Though the Broncos are coming in off a 58-26 whitewash of Toledo, they won't have what it takes to keep up with the spirited Chippewas, who become bowl eligible with a win today. I suspect CMU will use its power rushing game that ranks second in the conference, to blast through WMU's bleak defense that ranks 102nd against the run. And oh yes, then there's the situation revolving quarterback Dan LeFevour, who is supposed to be the next big thing out of the MAC. WMU has a tough signal caller in Tim Hiller, but CMU is just too good this season. Lay the chalk.

200♦ OHIO U. - Perfect spot for Ohio to do some serious damage. Mistake-prone Miami-Ohio contiues to shoot itself in the foot with silly mistakes, and now it must take on a rival team that has been getting it done behind a knack for prying the ball away from opponents. Coming into this game, the 4-2 Bobcats, who are 2-0 in MAC play, were tied for second in the nation with 19 forced turnovers, tied for third with 10 fumbles recovered and tied for eighth with 10 interceptions. Ohio also ranked 13th with a 1.17 average turnover margin per game. On the flipside, the 0-7 RedHawks have lost eight fumbles and a MAC-worst 14 interceptions. Miami-O has been shut out twice, its scoring offense ranks dead last in the nation (120th with 10.6 points per game), and its defense is horrendous in every facet of the game. This marks the Red Hawks' fifth road game in six games - since Sept. 12. This one is going to get ugly boys, as the Bobcats roll.