SOHC will not start.

[Skynet]

90' hatch, sohc bone stock in it. car cranks, and tries hard to start, but nothing happens. All electric in the car works, including brights, so I doubt that it's the battery. The car died on me the previous night driving on the freeway, But once I had it towed it started up fine and drove smoothly. I was able to drive it all day today with no issues at all, but I'm now having the no start issue again. car has fuel, Fuel pump sounds like its engaging. hitting the starter does nothing.
One odd thing I noticed while looking around, the air filter has what appears to be oil, or grime on one spot of it, Near the MAF sensor, Didn't know what that would be.
I know That there are a ton of threads about this, but I didn't see anything that really pertained to me in those threads. I am semi-new to working on cars, but I know enough to get by. any thoughts you guys have would be greatly appreciated.