Ohio State are ranked several spots higher than the Michigan Wolverines, but are still a game behind them in Big 10 play after Michigan pulled off a stunning upset of the Michigan State Spartans. Fortunately for the Buckeyes they'll have an easy chance to gain ground as they play 2-5 Nebraska at 8 PM on Saturday. The Buckeyes absolutely destroyed the Cornhuskers 71-40 the last time the teams met.
Cleveland State are in a similar situation, playing a game back of Milwaukee State and a half game behind Valparaiso in the Horizon conference. Fortunately they have two games in three days to try and gain some ground, taking on the Green Bay Phoenix Friday at 8 and then conference leading Milwaukee at 2 PM on Sunday. Two wins will push them to a Horizon leading 7-2, along with more importantly adding another L to the Panthers' loss column.
While Cleveland State and Ohio State are both clawing up to try and gain leads in their conferences, the surprising Akron Zips are playing to keep a lead they've already taken. Led by Nikola Cvetinovic and Zeke Marshall, the Zips dropped their first game in MAC East play to the Buffalo Bulls on Wednesday but still lead the conference with a 3-1 record. At 6 PM on Saturday they'll have a chance to beat one of the four teams nipping at their ankles with 2-2 records, the Kent State Golden Flashes.
As said, it's a close battle for second in the East right now so any wins that Akron can pull together to keep their single game lead after losing to Buffalo will be very important.
For more on the Ohio State Buckeyes, check out Along The Olentangy. Akron info can be found at Hustle Belt.