Bewerben zum clanbeitritt » enough discomfort in his right knee that

DETROIT -- Amid all his talk about taking things one game at a time and staying focused on the process, Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck acknowledged reality.Yes, his players realize how significant this opportunity is.Were not going to sit there and trick them -- they know how big this is, Fleck said. Theyre very mature. Theyve been through a lot. They understand exactly where they are, and how hard it is to get to this point.The 13th-ranked Broncos take on Ohio on Friday night in the Mid-American Conference title game, with a chance to win WMUs first league championship since 1988. Theres more at stake than just that, of course. At No. 17 in the playoff rankings, the Broncos are trying to hold off No. 19 Navy for the Group of Five spot in a New Years Six bowl.For Ohio, this game is about more than just being a spoiler. The Bobcats (8-4) have an even longer title drought than WMU (12-0). Ohio hasnt won the MAC since 1968.I feel like there are some sleepers out there that may not think that we belong here on this stage playing this game, Ohio defensive end Tarell Basham said. Were going to play hard, physical, were going to be enthusiastic about it, and were going to show all those people that this is exactly where Ohio needs to be.The MAC title game had the same matchup for the past three years -- Northern Illinois against Bowling Green. The presence of two new teams -- one of which is undefeated and playing in its home state -- has added some significant buzz. WMU athletic director Kathy Beauregard said as of Thursday morning, ticket sales had exceeded 46,000, which would almost triple the attendance at Ford Field for last seasons championship game.Its fun to be a part of this, and fun to have this opportunity, and also to see the pride in the community, WMU quarterback Zach Terrell said.Here are a few things to watch when WMU and Ohio play for that elusive conference title:NO LOBBYINGFleck hasnt gotten too involved in the debate over where WMU should be in the rankings. He said Thursday that trying to lobby publicly probably would be pointless.Our body of work speaks for itself, Fleck said. I think everybody understands how hard it is to go undefeated, even to get to this point, especially with the coaches that are on the (playoff) committee, former coaches. But Im not going to say anything thats going to make them think differently.PRESSUREFrom the moment they beat Northwestern 22-21 in the season opener, the Broncos had a chance for a special season -- and plenty of people realized it even then. The players have had to avoid getting too far ahead of themselves.The question after Northwestern was, `So you guys think you can go undefeated? I mean, we are 1-0, Fleck said. And these guys have had to handle all those questions the entire year.LINE OF SCRIMMAGEOhio has 41 sacks on the season, and Basham has 11. He was named MAC defensive player of the year, while WMU receiver Corey Davis earned offensive player of the year honors.WMU has allowed only 12 sacks this season, so the Bobcats upset hopes could hinge on their ability to rush the passer. Ohio also has the top-ranked run defense in the MAC.Were not concerned about where were at in terms of an underdog and how most people are looking at it and whats in store for us, Ohio coach Frank Solich said. Were excited about the opportunity, well play our best football, and well see what happens.RECORD SETTERDavis is the career FBS leader with 5,068 yards receiving. He broke the mark held by Trevor Insley of Nevada during last weeks victory over Toledo.TURNOVERSThe Broncos are plus-18 in turnover margin, thanks to the fact that theyve given the ball away only five times. Terrell has thrown one interception all season (with 30 touchdown passes) and although WMU has 17 fumbles, it has lost only four of them.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Authentic Custom Patriots Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Shaun Hill Jersey . LOUIS -- St. http://www.custompatriotsjersey.com/custom-j-d-smith-jersey-large-841f.html . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Custom Patriots Jersey China . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. J. T. OSullivan Jersey . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- The FedEx Cup is all about the $10 million bonus at the end of the four playoff events.For a dozen or so Americans, the only cup that matters now is one that doesnt pay a dime.The Ryder Cup couldnt be ignored Thursday.Patrick Reed shared the lead after the opening round at the Barclays. Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes and Kevin Chappell were among those one shot behind. All four of them are very much in the mix to make the U.S. team, with qualifying for the top eight spots ending after this week.Of course its on my mind, Reed said after his 5-under 66 gave him a share of the lead with Martin Laird.Its easy to forget about the FedEx Cup and its big bonus because there are still 15 rounds left to reach that point. The opening day at Bethpage Black, one of the toughest on the PGA Tour schedule, was just trying to beat the wind and stay in the game.LEADERS: Reed had a good laugh at his own expense on Tuesday when he was asked to bang the gavel for the ceremonial bell closing at the New York Stock Exchange. Dressed in a blue suit with an American tie, he banged once, twice ... and on the third try, he broke the gavel.The only thing he broke Thursday was par.Reed opened with 10 pars, a strong feat considering he started on the tougher back nine, and then ran off three birdies and an eagle for a 66.Martin Laird also had a clean card, with four birdies on the front nine and a shot out of the rough to the elevated green on the 16th to 6 feet for his fifth birdie. Hes not worried about the Ryder Cup. He is No. 89 in the FedEx Cup, so the first order of business was to be among the top 100 to advance to next week.RYDER RAMIFICATIONS: Fowler looked like a shoo-in to be on the Ryder Cup team when he started the year in great form. But missing the cut in two majors and not doing much in the other two havent helped. He is No. 12 and would need at least a two-way tie for fourth this week to have any chance.Opening with a 67 was a good start.Thats the No. 1 priority coming into the year, Fowler said. Id say thats always one of the main goals coming into a Ryder Cup year. Even in the off year, youre thiinking about it.dddddddddddd That was the whole reason playing last week, trying to get more points. It would be nice to have a chance to make that team without having to get picked.J.B. Holmes was at No. 8 until Reed passed him last week. Holmes moved into position with his third-place finish at the British Open, but he has been pressing since then and has missed his last three cuts. The big hitter spent two hours with the shortest club in the bag -- his putter -- earlier this week, and it paid off.As for Chappell? Depending on however else does, he probably has to win to make the team.BETHPAGE: The Black is a big ball park, the start of a playoff series that favors the big hitters -- the TPC Boston next week, Crooked Stick in Indiana after that, and then East Lake. That also was the rotation in 2012, and it would have seemed to put the medium hitters at a disadvantage.Or maybe not. Brandt Snedeker won the FedEx Cup in 2012.EARLY EXITS: British Open champion Henrik Stenson had planned to skip one of the FedEx Cup playoff events because of a busy schedule at the end of the year, including his trip to Rio for a silver medal in golf.He made it through one round at The Barclays with a 74 and enough discomfort in his right knee that he withdrew. Stenson is at No. 14 in the FedEx Cup and likely will fall out of the top 20 at the end of the week.Brett Stegmaier also withdrew with a wrist injury through nine holes. He was at No. 101, and with the top 100 advancing, his season is over.THE CUT: Making it to the weekend at The Barclays is one of the most important cuts of the year, particularly because of the playoff format. Anyone beyond the top 100 has no chance of extending the season. Anyone just inside the top 100 probably wont stay there if they miss the cut.Scott Brown was a good example. He is at No. 81 and opened with a 10-over 81. He was projected to fall to No. 100. That could change. A year ago, the highest-ranked player to get eliminated was Padraig Harrington at No. 87. ' ' '