By J. OLSEN
The Mid-American Conference moves into weeknight play this week with two games Thursday and just on contest this Saturday.
Last Saturday’s full slate, however, included some drubbings that probably played a part in today’s rankings. While wins and losses are the bottom line, there are some occasions when scores can creep into the picture.
Most of last week’s top five teams took care of business – some in a big way – so there was minimal change up top. From six through 12, however, there was plenty of movement.
(Click Read More to see the list . . . )
The Mid-American Conference moves into weeknight play this week with two games Thursday and just on contest this Saturday.
Last Saturday’s full slate, however, included some drubbings that probably played a part in today’s rankings. While wins and losses are the bottom line, there are some occasions when scores can creep into the picture.
Most of last week’s top five teams took care of business – some in a big way – so there was minimal change up top. From six through 12, however, there was plenty of movement.
(Click Read More to see the list . . . )
MRO POWER RANKINGS – 10-25-17
1. TOLEDO ROCKETS (6-1, 3-0 MAC)
The Rockets took on East-leading Akron last week and cruised by the Zips 48-21. It was 21-0 UT by the end of the first quarter and 38-7 entering the final period. The Rockets outgained Akron 626-333 in the onslaught and will face a struggling Ball State team Thursday in Muncie.
2. NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
Like the Rockets, NIU has won three straight. Also like Toledo, the Huskies dominated their opponent last week. Northern was up 31-7 over Bowling Green at intermission and 41-7 with 6:20 left in the third period. NIU hosts an Eastern Michigan team Thursday. It’s an EMU team that seems much better than its record, as evidenced by another overtime loss Saturday against Western Michigan.
3. OHIO BOBCATS (6-2, 3-1 MAC)
The Bobcats jump up a spot this week after Akron falls and OU pounds Kent State. Ohio is now off until a Halloween Night game at home against Miami.
Let’s see -- Halloween night, Athens, rival Miami in town. All that should make for a very interesting night. This was supposed to be the big MAC East showdown of preseason favorite, and it still might be, albeit MU has two conference losses. It’s a big game on many levels.
4. AKRON ZIPS (4-4, 3-1 MAC)
The Zips ran into a Toledo buzz saw Saturday, suffering their first conference loss. That ended a three-game winning streak – all in MAC play. The Zips are still in a control of their destiny and host Buffalo in Saturday’s only game. After that It’s at Miami and home against Ohio before the Wagon Wheel finale against rival Kent State.
5. WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (5-3, 3-1 MAC)
The Broncos flirted with disaster again Saturday, this time pulling out a 20-17 overtime win against Eastern Michigan after missing a game-winning kick at the end of regulation time. Earlier this year, of course, WMU nipped Buffalo in a seven-overtime marathon. Add in the 14-13 loss against Akron, and the Broncos living on the edge.
They can step back a little now, since they don’t play until Nov. 1 when they host Central Michigan.
The Rockets took on East-leading Akron last week and cruised by the Zips 48-21. It was 21-0 UT by the end of the first quarter and 38-7 entering the final period. The Rockets outgained Akron 626-333 in the onslaught and will face a struggling Ball State team Thursday in Muncie.
2. NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
Like the Rockets, NIU has won three straight. Also like Toledo, the Huskies dominated their opponent last week. Northern was up 31-7 over Bowling Green at intermission and 41-7 with 6:20 left in the third period. NIU hosts an Eastern Michigan team Thursday. It’s an EMU team that seems much better than its record, as evidenced by another overtime loss Saturday against Western Michigan.
3. OHIO BOBCATS (6-2, 3-1 MAC)
The Bobcats jump up a spot this week after Akron falls and OU pounds Kent State. Ohio is now off until a Halloween Night game at home against Miami.
Let’s see -- Halloween night, Athens, rival Miami in town. All that should make for a very interesting night. This was supposed to be the big MAC East showdown of preseason favorite, and it still might be, albeit MU has two conference losses. It’s a big game on many levels.
4. AKRON ZIPS (4-4, 3-1 MAC)
The Zips ran into a Toledo buzz saw Saturday, suffering their first conference loss. That ended a three-game winning streak – all in MAC play. The Zips are still in a control of their destiny and host Buffalo in Saturday’s only game. After that It’s at Miami and home against Ohio before the Wagon Wheel finale against rival Kent State.
5. WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (5-3, 3-1 MAC)
The Broncos flirted with disaster again Saturday, this time pulling out a 20-17 overtime win against Eastern Michigan after missing a game-winning kick at the end of regulation time. Earlier this year, of course, WMU nipped Buffalo in a seven-overtime marathon. Add in the 14-13 loss against Akron, and the Broncos living on the edge.
They can step back a little now, since they don’t play until Nov. 1 when they host Central Michigan.
6. MIAMI REDHAWKS (3-5, 2-2 MAC)
Miami made the biggest jump in this week’s power rankings for a variety of reasons. Most revolve around defeating Buffalo 24-14 Saturday. That meant the RedHawks own wins over No. 6 and No. 7 in last week’s rankings. Granted, they also lost to No. 8 and No. 9 (last week) earlier, but MU is likely better than both of those when it manages to avoid those catastrophic moments. It did that against Buffalo, even turning a Bulls turnover into a key touchdown.
MU has left itself virtually no wiggle room, but that Halloween night Battle of the Bricks matchup against Ohio still looms big – very big, for both schools.
7. CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
CMU got back in the win column with a 56-9 thrashing of Ball State Saturday. QB Shane Morris and Corey Willis connected on three of the scores. The Chippewas are ranked fourth among MAC teams in pass offense.
Central will get a big test Nov. 1 when it meets Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. One week later, Eastern Michigan comes to Ypsilanti to complete CMU’s MAC-Michigan slate.
8. EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-5, 0-3)
Add another “closie” loss to the fire. Saturday, it was Western Michigan pulling out a 20-17 overtime win against the Eagles. It’s amazing! Five straight losses – none by more than seven points, and that was in double overtime against Ohio back on Sept. 23.
EMU has another tough outing Thursday at Northern Illinois, but one way or another, the Eagles should break through soon.
9. BUFFALO BULLS (3-5, 1-3 MAC)
The Bulls have had some hard luck as of late, dropping three straight MAC contests. UB was down to its third quarterback, true freshman Kyle Vantrease, against Miami. All things considered, he held his own and managed to account for both Buffalo scores with touchdown passes. Those were two of 17 completions on 41 pass attempts. He did have an interception and fumbled once. MU quickly turned the latter into seven points. If the Bulls can get healthy, they can still be dangerous.
10. BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-7, 1-3 MAC)
The Falcons have surrendered 48 points in their last two games. If that happens in their next outing, there will be a lot of surprised people. Of course, it is a Halloween night game, but the opposition is Kent State. Bowling Green is averaging 20.5 ppg, while the Flashes are at 10.0 ppg.
11 KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (2-6, 1-3 MAC)
Shane Hynes kicked a 33-yard field goal to give KSU a first quarter lead last Saturday. Ohio scored the next 48 points.
Ohio outgained the visitors 474-166 overall and limited KSU to 64 yards passing. It might be a bit easier to move the ball against Bowling Green when they meet Oct. 31, but they also have to stop a Falcons offense that is averaging 124 yards more than Kent State per outing.
Kent State does have a turnover advantage (plus-2) over BG (minus-2), so therein lies potential opportunities.
12. BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-5, 0-3 MAC)
Remember when Ball State scored 51 points against UAB? Five games later, the Cardinals have not totaled 51 points. In fact, they’ve been outscored 142-15 over the last three outings. That includes a 56-9 loss to Central Michigan last week.
It’s a short week for BSU, but somehow, someway the Cardinals will try to find a way to slow down there next opponent – none other than Toledo. The Rockets dropped 48 points on East leading Akron last Saturday and are second among MAC teams in scoring (38.0 ppg). Eastern Michigan did hold UT to 20 points, but the Eagles are No. 2 (MAC) in scoring defense, while Ball State is No. 11 (34.7 ppg)
Miami made the biggest jump in this week’s power rankings for a variety of reasons. Most revolve around defeating Buffalo 24-14 Saturday. That meant the RedHawks own wins over No. 6 and No. 7 in last week’s rankings. Granted, they also lost to No. 8 and No. 9 (last week) earlier, but MU is likely better than both of those when it manages to avoid those catastrophic moments. It did that against Buffalo, even turning a Bulls turnover into a key touchdown.
MU has left itself virtually no wiggle room, but that Halloween night Battle of the Bricks matchup against Ohio still looms big – very big, for both schools.
7. CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
CMU got back in the win column with a 56-9 thrashing of Ball State Saturday. QB Shane Morris and Corey Willis connected on three of the scores. The Chippewas are ranked fourth among MAC teams in pass offense.
Central will get a big test Nov. 1 when it meets Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. One week later, Eastern Michigan comes to Ypsilanti to complete CMU’s MAC-Michigan slate.
8. EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-5, 0-3)
Add another “closie” loss to the fire. Saturday, it was Western Michigan pulling out a 20-17 overtime win against the Eagles. It’s amazing! Five straight losses – none by more than seven points, and that was in double overtime against Ohio back on Sept. 23.
EMU has another tough outing Thursday at Northern Illinois, but one way or another, the Eagles should break through soon.
9. BUFFALO BULLS (3-5, 1-3 MAC)
The Bulls have had some hard luck as of late, dropping three straight MAC contests. UB was down to its third quarterback, true freshman Kyle Vantrease, against Miami. All things considered, he held his own and managed to account for both Buffalo scores with touchdown passes. Those were two of 17 completions on 41 pass attempts. He did have an interception and fumbled once. MU quickly turned the latter into seven points. If the Bulls can get healthy, they can still be dangerous.
10. BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-7, 1-3 MAC)
The Falcons have surrendered 48 points in their last two games. If that happens in their next outing, there will be a lot of surprised people. Of course, it is a Halloween night game, but the opposition is Kent State. Bowling Green is averaging 20.5 ppg, while the Flashes are at 10.0 ppg.
11 KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (2-6, 1-3 MAC)
Shane Hynes kicked a 33-yard field goal to give KSU a first quarter lead last Saturday. Ohio scored the next 48 points.
Ohio outgained the visitors 474-166 overall and limited KSU to 64 yards passing. It might be a bit easier to move the ball against Bowling Green when they meet Oct. 31, but they also have to stop a Falcons offense that is averaging 124 yards more than Kent State per outing.
Kent State does have a turnover advantage (plus-2) over BG (minus-2), so therein lies potential opportunities.
12. BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-5, 0-3 MAC)
Remember when Ball State scored 51 points against UAB? Five games later, the Cardinals have not totaled 51 points. In fact, they’ve been outscored 142-15 over the last three outings. That includes a 56-9 loss to Central Michigan last week.
It’s a short week for BSU, but somehow, someway the Cardinals will try to find a way to slow down there next opponent – none other than Toledo. The Rockets dropped 48 points on East leading Akron last Saturday and are second among MAC teams in scoring (38.0 ppg). Eastern Michigan did hold UT to 20 points, but the Eagles are No. 2 (MAC) in scoring defense, while Ball State is No. 11 (34.7 ppg)
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