EDITORIAL: A game worth the notoriety
One of the biggest rivalry games in the Mid-American Conference will begin at noon on Saturday in Kalamazoo.
A game that would have normally lost its luster due to the teams' combined records (4-15), has been circled on the calendars of the Chippewas and the Broncos in anticipation for the "Battle for the Cannon."
For incoming students who are new to the rivalry, a drive down to Kalamazoo is well worth the experience. Just being able to witnesses an entire student section sadly attempt to "row, row, row" should be enough to pack some seats.
But it is much more than that. The annual game toward the end of the season between CMU and WMU is more than a rivalry. These two teams hate each other, and anything can happen on the field.
This is the best rivalry in the MAC. Period. The only one that is in any contention is the one between Toledo and Bowling Green State University, where Toledo has an actual rocket pointed at BGSU's campus. For a long time, these two teams traded victories as well as words and that has kept the tradition alive for all these years.
An argument can be made that this game is the biggest in-state rivalry.
The Michigan/Michigan State game has gone down over the years in its competitiveness. Sure, it's a bigger deal in the state, but Michigan doesn't ever consider the Spartans to be their main rivals.
That's not the case with CMU and WMU. These schools will do just about anything to beat the other.
And now with the Michigan MAC Trophy on the line, CMU has a viable opportunity to turn around yet another disappointing season by beating its hated foe.
Western (1-9) has looked horrendous this year, and while the Chippewas (3-6) certainly haven't looked all that good, they are the clear favorites to win this game. And they need to.
Head coach Dan Enos, who is 1-2 against WMU during his tenure at CMU, and his squad must win the final three games against some of the worst teams in the MAC (WMU, UMass and Eastern Michigan) if they want to have a shot at a bowl game. Anything short of bowl eligibility, especially with the ease of schedule down the stretch, would be a massive disappointment.
Beyond that, this game has everything one would want out of a football game: A heated rivalry, players – many of whom knew each other growing up playing football – playing their hearts out for their schools and a chance for bragging rights in the most intense rivalry in the state.
So, show up and support your team. At the very least, you'll be able to make fun of the Broncos' rowing.
