MAC ATTACK: WEEK 4
The upside: Conference play began last week (actually continued after EMU beat Buffalo to open the season) holding mostly to form, with Toledo and Miami winning impressive and competitive contests. This is an exciting week in conference play for you Ohio football fans and MAC fans, and it is only the opening week for most teams. Huge games are on the docket for several teams, starting with a big-time MAC showdown with Bowling Green traveling to Northern Illinois on Friday. Toss in the grudge match between Kent State and Akron on Thursday, and matchups between Buffalo and Ohio as well as Western Michigan and Ball State on Saturday, and all the makings of a good football weekend in the conference are there. The colossal matchup between Miami and Marshall also looms on the horizon next Wednesday, as both teams have a bye this weekend.
The downside: This week was a story of missed opportunities against weaker members of elite conferences. Northern Illinois fell just short against Iowa State, Western Michigan couldn’t find a way to beat Illinois, Kent State lost a close one at Rutgers, and Central Florida was blown out at Penn State. The “heavies” from the bigger conferences predictably had far less trouble in blowouts (Virginia over Akron, Mizzou over Ball State) with the exception of Georgia, who struggled against a pesky 0-3 Marshall squad that frankly may be one of the best 0-3 teams in recent memory. After garnering high profile wins over virtually every major conference a year ago, the MAC is staring directly at not garnering a single win over a non-conference I-A foe this year…though Toledo does host Big East outcast Temple this week.
Overall conference grade: D
Team rankings:
1 (-) Bowling Green (1-1): Friday’s game at NIU can put them in the driver’s seat…or in the back seat. Could be the MAC game of the year.
2 (-) Northern Illinois (1-2): Tough loss to Iowa State, especially given the 41 points…put up or shut up time at home against the Falcons on Friday.
3 (-) Marshall (0-3): Poor Marshall…close and yet so far…3 times. Credit to Pruett for not losing his team, and they are still poised to make a huge run in the conference. They host Miami in a giant game next week.
4 (+4) Miami (1-2, 1-0): Nice way to open the conference season, with a comfortable win over an improving Bobcats squad. The game Weds. at Marshall (next week) has monster conference implications.
5 (+4) Toledo (1-2, 1-0): Quieted some screamers with a conference win at a much improved Eastern Michigan. Rockets could still make some noise at the end of the season in the conference race, though it’s hard to see them as the favorite. Have a chance to pick up the conference’s only win over a I-AA non-conference opponent when they host Temple this week.
6 (-2) Ohio (1-2, 0-1): Lost to Miami in a game that was a measuring stick for the program at this point...and they have a ways to go. Bobcats can bounce back with win over hapless Buffalo this week.
7 (+4) Western Michigan (1-2): Nearly pulled it off against Illinois, but again failed, as the rest of the conference did. Very disappointing, but better than last week.
8 (+5) Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-1): Eagles are in the unique position of having played 2 conference games already. Scrappy effort against the Rockets fell short, but this team is no laughing stock anymore.
9 (-3) Central Michigan (1-2): Chips add to the teams to beat I-AA…but who cares?
10 (-5) Central Florida (0-3): Plowed over by Penn State, as turnovers killed them yet again. They must learn to hang onto the ball, which O’Leary will eventually fix. The team does have some nice talent.
11 (-4) Kent State (1-2): Blew a huge chance to beat a weaker member of a bigger conference that lost to I-AA New Hampshire last week. They’d better beat Akron, their rivals, this week.
12 (-2) Ball State (0-3): Hammered mercilessly again, this time by a teed-off Missouri squad. It looks like week 1 was an aberration.
13 (-1) Akron (0-3): Blown out again, the Zips are rock-bottom horrible. Perhaps the only way to salvage their season is to beat arch-rival Kent State, who they play this week to open conference play.
14 (-) Buffalo (0-3, 0-1): Pounded by the Nevada Wolfpack, it is hard to envision a game Buffalo will win this season, though they might get one along the way.
This week's games:
(note: upset alert is from 0-10, with 10 being "Red Alert" and 0 being "Here's your 400 grand for an ass-whuppin', thanks for coming"
Last week: 10-1 (SU), 8-1 (VL)
Thursday
Akron (0-3) at Kent State (1-2)
Line: Kent -5.5
Upset alert: 7.5
Synopsis: This is the grudge-match rivalry for both teams, and it’s a shame it is played so early in the season, though the loser may very well fade into oblivion for the rest of the campaign, whereas the winner might gain a much-needed boost. Awful could describe either team, for the most part, so far this season. Akron has been blown out twice and beaten by Middle Tennessee, and Kent boasts only a win over I-AA liberty. They were competitive against Rutgers last week, but when has that said much? Both QBs (Cribbs, Frye) are dynamic, and can make a lot of things happen, but neither has had much help. Both defenses are also vulnerable. It’s hard to see this one won by much more than a FG, but it looks like Kent might have the better team this year, by a slim margin, if not the better QB. Look for Kent to win this one narrowly for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Kent State 21, Akron 17
Friday
Bowling Green (1-1) at Northern Illinois (1-2)
Line: Northern Illinois -1
Upset alert: 10
Synopsis: How Northern Illinois is a favorite for this game is a mystery to me. The Falcons played the Sooners tough at Norman, and NIU was unable to beat either Maryland or Iowa State, 2 teams they beat a year ago. The Huskies are tough at home however, and if the QB situation gets some stability and the defense stops somebody, this could be a barnburner. Still, NIU gave up 48 to Iowa State, and the Falcons offense will be lethal against that defense. NIU can score, and they have the home crowd, but look for the Falcons to take control of their division with this win on the road.
Prediction: Bowling Green 38, Northern Illinois 24
Saturday
Buffalo (0-3, 0-1) at Ohio (1-2, 0-1)
Line: Ohio -13
Upset alert: 1.5
Synopsis: Ohio didn’t get the job done at Miami, but were competitive before falling 40-20. Buffalo hasn’t shown much, but their best effort was in-conference, when they lost narrowly to Eastern Michigan 37-34. Ohio’s new offense looks sporadic, but it should be effective enough to score on a Bull team that hasn’t given up less than 37 points all season. The Bobacat defense should also be able to thwart a Buffalo offense that has been sporadic at best for most of the season. Look for the Bobcats to get conference win #1 comfortably at home.
Prediction: Ohio 31, Buffalo 7
Toledo (1-2, 1-0) at Temple (1-2)
Line: Toledo -8.5
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: After being arguably the worst team in the conference (measured by results) in the first two weeks, Toledo bounced back nicely with a conference win over pesky Eastern Michigan. The defense is still allowing WAY too many points, and Temple hung 38 on Florida A&M last week. Still, the Rockets are settling down to make a run at the MAC, and they can’t afford a bump here after building some momentum. Temple could be a game opponent, but there is no doubt this game is crucial for Toledo…non-conference or not. Temple will make this interesting for a while, but look for the Rockets to pull away.
Prediction: Toledo 35, Temple 14
Western Michigan (1-2) at Ball State (0-3)
Line: Western Michigan -3
Upset alert: 6.5
Synopsis: This is a tough game to figure, because it’s hard to know either team. WMU had their worst loss in school history (63-0 to VTU) and followed it up by nearly beating Illinois (their win is over I-AA). Ball State was tough against Boston College, who is 3-0, in week 1, but have been destroyed the last 2 weeks. The Broncos have more momentum, but Ball State may be tough to beat at home in this one. If this is a field position game, Ball State has the advantage (witness the BC game), but if it is a shootout, the Broncos are the pick. At home, look for the Cardinals to pull off a big upset.
Prediction: Ball State 17, Western Michigan 16
Eastern Illinois at Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-1)
Line: None
Upset alert: 1
Synopsis: Another yawner from I-AA against the MAC. So far, it’s been the only way the MAC could win a non-conference game. I’m sure the wins by Maine over Mississippi State and New Hampshire over Rutgers aren’t lost on the Eagles, and they will make the MAC perfect against their lower division foes.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 42, Eastern Illinois 28
Central Michigan (1-2): Idle
Marshall (0-3): Idle
Central Florida (0-3): Idle
Miami (1-2, 1-0): Idle
Season:
Record (SU): 31-4
Record (VL): 19-10
The upside: Conference play began last week (actually continued after EMU beat Buffalo to open the season) holding mostly to form, with Toledo and Miami winning impressive and competitive contests. This is an exciting week in conference play for you Ohio football fans and MAC fans, and it is only the opening week for most teams. Huge games are on the docket for several teams, starting with a big-time MAC showdown with Bowling Green traveling to Northern Illinois on Friday. Toss in the grudge match between Kent State and Akron on Thursday, and matchups between Buffalo and Ohio as well as Western Michigan and Ball State on Saturday, and all the makings of a good football weekend in the conference are there. The colossal matchup between Miami and Marshall also looms on the horizon next Wednesday, as both teams have a bye this weekend.
The downside: This week was a story of missed opportunities against weaker members of elite conferences. Northern Illinois fell just short against Iowa State, Western Michigan couldn’t find a way to beat Illinois, Kent State lost a close one at Rutgers, and Central Florida was blown out at Penn State. The “heavies” from the bigger conferences predictably had far less trouble in blowouts (Virginia over Akron, Mizzou over Ball State) with the exception of Georgia, who struggled against a pesky 0-3 Marshall squad that frankly may be one of the best 0-3 teams in recent memory. After garnering high profile wins over virtually every major conference a year ago, the MAC is staring directly at not garnering a single win over a non-conference I-A foe this year…though Toledo does host Big East outcast Temple this week.
Overall conference grade: D
Team rankings:
1 (-) Bowling Green (1-1): Friday’s game at NIU can put them in the driver’s seat…or in the back seat. Could be the MAC game of the year.
2 (-) Northern Illinois (1-2): Tough loss to Iowa State, especially given the 41 points…put up or shut up time at home against the Falcons on Friday.
3 (-) Marshall (0-3): Poor Marshall…close and yet so far…3 times. Credit to Pruett for not losing his team, and they are still poised to make a huge run in the conference. They host Miami in a giant game next week.
4 (+4) Miami (1-2, 1-0): Nice way to open the conference season, with a comfortable win over an improving Bobcats squad. The game Weds. at Marshall (next week) has monster conference implications.
5 (+4) Toledo (1-2, 1-0): Quieted some screamers with a conference win at a much improved Eastern Michigan. Rockets could still make some noise at the end of the season in the conference race, though it’s hard to see them as the favorite. Have a chance to pick up the conference’s only win over a I-AA non-conference opponent when they host Temple this week.
6 (-2) Ohio (1-2, 0-1): Lost to Miami in a game that was a measuring stick for the program at this point...and they have a ways to go. Bobcats can bounce back with win over hapless Buffalo this week.
7 (+4) Western Michigan (1-2): Nearly pulled it off against Illinois, but again failed, as the rest of the conference did. Very disappointing, but better than last week.
8 (+5) Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-1): Eagles are in the unique position of having played 2 conference games already. Scrappy effort against the Rockets fell short, but this team is no laughing stock anymore.
9 (-3) Central Michigan (1-2): Chips add to the teams to beat I-AA…but who cares?
10 (-5) Central Florida (0-3): Plowed over by Penn State, as turnovers killed them yet again. They must learn to hang onto the ball, which O’Leary will eventually fix. The team does have some nice talent.
11 (-4) Kent State (1-2): Blew a huge chance to beat a weaker member of a bigger conference that lost to I-AA New Hampshire last week. They’d better beat Akron, their rivals, this week.
12 (-2) Ball State (0-3): Hammered mercilessly again, this time by a teed-off Missouri squad. It looks like week 1 was an aberration.
13 (-1) Akron (0-3): Blown out again, the Zips are rock-bottom horrible. Perhaps the only way to salvage their season is to beat arch-rival Kent State, who they play this week to open conference play.
14 (-) Buffalo (0-3, 0-1): Pounded by the Nevada Wolfpack, it is hard to envision a game Buffalo will win this season, though they might get one along the way.
This week's games:
(note: upset alert is from 0-10, with 10 being "Red Alert" and 0 being "Here's your 400 grand for an ass-whuppin', thanks for coming"
Last week: 10-1 (SU), 8-1 (VL)
Thursday
Akron (0-3) at Kent State (1-2)
Line: Kent -5.5
Upset alert: 7.5
Synopsis: This is the grudge-match rivalry for both teams, and it’s a shame it is played so early in the season, though the loser may very well fade into oblivion for the rest of the campaign, whereas the winner might gain a much-needed boost. Awful could describe either team, for the most part, so far this season. Akron has been blown out twice and beaten by Middle Tennessee, and Kent boasts only a win over I-AA liberty. They were competitive against Rutgers last week, but when has that said much? Both QBs (Cribbs, Frye) are dynamic, and can make a lot of things happen, but neither has had much help. Both defenses are also vulnerable. It’s hard to see this one won by much more than a FG, but it looks like Kent might have the better team this year, by a slim margin, if not the better QB. Look for Kent to win this one narrowly for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Kent State 21, Akron 17
Friday
Bowling Green (1-1) at Northern Illinois (1-2)
Line: Northern Illinois -1
Upset alert: 10
Synopsis: How Northern Illinois is a favorite for this game is a mystery to me. The Falcons played the Sooners tough at Norman, and NIU was unable to beat either Maryland or Iowa State, 2 teams they beat a year ago. The Huskies are tough at home however, and if the QB situation gets some stability and the defense stops somebody, this could be a barnburner. Still, NIU gave up 48 to Iowa State, and the Falcons offense will be lethal against that defense. NIU can score, and they have the home crowd, but look for the Falcons to take control of their division with this win on the road.
Prediction: Bowling Green 38, Northern Illinois 24
Saturday
Buffalo (0-3, 0-1) at Ohio (1-2, 0-1)
Line: Ohio -13
Upset alert: 1.5
Synopsis: Ohio didn’t get the job done at Miami, but were competitive before falling 40-20. Buffalo hasn’t shown much, but their best effort was in-conference, when they lost narrowly to Eastern Michigan 37-34. Ohio’s new offense looks sporadic, but it should be effective enough to score on a Bull team that hasn’t given up less than 37 points all season. The Bobacat defense should also be able to thwart a Buffalo offense that has been sporadic at best for most of the season. Look for the Bobcats to get conference win #1 comfortably at home.
Prediction: Ohio 31, Buffalo 7
Toledo (1-2, 1-0) at Temple (1-2)
Line: Toledo -8.5
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: After being arguably the worst team in the conference (measured by results) in the first two weeks, Toledo bounced back nicely with a conference win over pesky Eastern Michigan. The defense is still allowing WAY too many points, and Temple hung 38 on Florida A&M last week. Still, the Rockets are settling down to make a run at the MAC, and they can’t afford a bump here after building some momentum. Temple could be a game opponent, but there is no doubt this game is crucial for Toledo…non-conference or not. Temple will make this interesting for a while, but look for the Rockets to pull away.
Prediction: Toledo 35, Temple 14
Western Michigan (1-2) at Ball State (0-3)
Line: Western Michigan -3
Upset alert: 6.5
Synopsis: This is a tough game to figure, because it’s hard to know either team. WMU had their worst loss in school history (63-0 to VTU) and followed it up by nearly beating Illinois (their win is over I-AA). Ball State was tough against Boston College, who is 3-0, in week 1, but have been destroyed the last 2 weeks. The Broncos have more momentum, but Ball State may be tough to beat at home in this one. If this is a field position game, Ball State has the advantage (witness the BC game), but if it is a shootout, the Broncos are the pick. At home, look for the Cardinals to pull off a big upset.
Prediction: Ball State 17, Western Michigan 16
Eastern Illinois at Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-1)
Line: None
Upset alert: 1
Synopsis: Another yawner from I-AA against the MAC. So far, it’s been the only way the MAC could win a non-conference game. I’m sure the wins by Maine over Mississippi State and New Hampshire over Rutgers aren’t lost on the Eagles, and they will make the MAC perfect against their lower division foes.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 42, Eastern Illinois 28
Central Michigan (1-2): Idle
Marshall (0-3): Idle
Central Florida (0-3): Idle
Miami (1-2, 1-0): Idle
Season:
Record (SU): 31-4
Record (VL): 19-10