By J. Olsen
Even a cursory look at the weekly scores should be enough to support what coaches often say – the Mid-American Conference is a very competitive league. There just aren’t many “freebie” weekends when teams can just cruise to a MAC win over some patsy.
The plethora of close contests, of course, aren’t helping when it comes to our MRO Power Rankings. Nonetheless, we venture into this week’s speculation . . .
Even a cursory look at the weekly scores should be enough to support what coaches often say – the Mid-American Conference is a very competitive league. There just aren’t many “freebie” weekends when teams can just cruise to a MAC win over some patsy.
The plethora of close contests, of course, aren’t helping when it comes to our MRO Power Rankings. Nonetheless, we venture into this week’s speculation . . .
1. Toledo (2-0 MAC, 5-1 overall), – The preseason MAC favorites have just one blemish on their record, that being a 52-30 loss to No. 14 Miami (Fla). The season-ending injury to WR Cody Thompson is a blow, but UT bounced back for a solid 30-10 win over Central Michigan last week.
2. Northern Illinois (2-0 MAC, 4-2 overall) – The Huskies have won four of their last five, with the only loss coming against No. 19 San Diego State in Week Four. NIU’s defense (No. 1 in MAC) has been serving it very well lately, and the Huskie are fifth in scoring offense.
3. Akron (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall) – Sunday’s win over Western Michigan was something of a statement for the MAC East’s only unbeaten team. Similar to NIU, the Zips have brought the defense lately, and it is paying off. After surrendering 23 to Bowling Green in the conference opener, Akron has given up three to Ball State and 13 Sunday to WMU. Although eighth in total defense, the Zips are third (MAC) in scoring defense.
4. Ohio (2-1 MAC, 5-2 overall) – Those ‘Cats love to run, and for the most part it is working for them. A.J. Ouelette is second among MAC rushers (93.7 ypg) and he combined with quarterback Nathan Rourke for 266 yards with three rushing TDs last Saturday in a win over Bowling Green. In addition to rushing the ball well, Ohio also can defend the run (No. 2 MAC).
5. Western Michigan (2-1 MAC, 4-3 overall) – The Broncos are similar to Ohio in that they both run (No. 1 MAC, 237.9 ypg) and defend the run well (No. 3 MAC). Losing Sunday’s game to Akron 14-13 for its first MAC loss no doubt stings, but WMU can still control its destiny with some big late season matchups in the remaining five tilts.
6. Buffalo (1-2 MAC, 3-4 overall) – The much-improved Bulls had won three straight before two heartbreaking losses in the last two weeks. One was the 7 OT loss at home to Western Michigan. Last week was a 14-13 home defeat against Northern Illinois.
After coming up just short against two West Division powers, UB goes on the road against Miami. The Bulls are No. 2 (MAC) in total offense, so UB should test a RedHawks defense that has been struggling at times.
7. Central Michigan (1-2 MAC , 3-4 overall) – The Chippewas got a big boost when tight end Tyler Conklin returned from injury. His two touchdowns keyed a CMU road win over Ohio two weeks ago. West leader Toledo, however, put a 30-10 loss on the Chippewas last Saturday.
8. Bowling Green (1-2 MAC, 1-6 overall) – The Falcons have been putting some things together on offense, but they are still giving up a bunch of points. Were it not for a late fumble at Miami, the Falcons would likely still be winless. Northern Illinois will certainly be a test for the Falcons this week.
9. Kent State (1-2 MAC, 2-5 overall) – George Bollas road to the rescue for KSU last week as the Flashes erased a 14-3 halftime deficit for a 17-14 win. Kent State defense is the strength. If/When it can get some offense, KSU can compete. It’s Ohio this weekend, and the two teams have had some good battles. It’s tough to win, though, when your offense is averaging 11 ppg and the opponent is averaging 39.7 ppg.
10. Miami (1-2 MAC, 2-5 overall) – The RedHawks cut down on mistakes and turnovers last year to forge an amazing stretch run that propelled them to a MAC East co-championship and bowl appearance. To date this year, the RedHawks have propelled themselves to a series of losses. Except for Notre Dame, every game on the schedule was within their grasp. Something -- sometimes bizarre – seemed to happen each week.
Injuries have been a part of it, but turnovers and penalties have played bigger roles. MU has already lost two MAC games to teams it beat last year. After Buffalo this week, the “Hawks face Ohio and Akron. Miami is capable enough, but not the way it has been playing, especially late in games.
11. Eastern Michigan (0-2 MAC, 2-4 overall) – The Eagles have absorbed one tough loss after another for the past month. Facing one of the military academies, as EMU did last week in a 28-27 loss at Army, usually takes a toll. Western Michigan and Northern Illinois await over the next two weeks. At least WMU is at home.
Defense has been Eastern strength. The Eagles are second (MAC) in scoring defense (19.8 ppg) and total defense (339.0 ypg).
12. Ball State (0-2 MAC, 2-4 overall) – The Cardinals have faced tough defenses in the last two weeks, and the results showed. Ball State failed to score a touchdown while totaling six points against Western Michigan and Akron. QB Jack Milas tossed three interceptions last week and three over the previous two games, so cutting down on the turnover will be one focus as Ball State tries to get back in the win column.
2. Northern Illinois (2-0 MAC, 4-2 overall) – The Huskies have won four of their last five, with the only loss coming against No. 19 San Diego State in Week Four. NIU’s defense (No. 1 in MAC) has been serving it very well lately, and the Huskie are fifth in scoring offense.
3. Akron (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall) – Sunday’s win over Western Michigan was something of a statement for the MAC East’s only unbeaten team. Similar to NIU, the Zips have brought the defense lately, and it is paying off. After surrendering 23 to Bowling Green in the conference opener, Akron has given up three to Ball State and 13 Sunday to WMU. Although eighth in total defense, the Zips are third (MAC) in scoring defense.
4. Ohio (2-1 MAC, 5-2 overall) – Those ‘Cats love to run, and for the most part it is working for them. A.J. Ouelette is second among MAC rushers (93.7 ypg) and he combined with quarterback Nathan Rourke for 266 yards with three rushing TDs last Saturday in a win over Bowling Green. In addition to rushing the ball well, Ohio also can defend the run (No. 2 MAC).
5. Western Michigan (2-1 MAC, 4-3 overall) – The Broncos are similar to Ohio in that they both run (No. 1 MAC, 237.9 ypg) and defend the run well (No. 3 MAC). Losing Sunday’s game to Akron 14-13 for its first MAC loss no doubt stings, but WMU can still control its destiny with some big late season matchups in the remaining five tilts.
6. Buffalo (1-2 MAC, 3-4 overall) – The much-improved Bulls had won three straight before two heartbreaking losses in the last two weeks. One was the 7 OT loss at home to Western Michigan. Last week was a 14-13 home defeat against Northern Illinois.
After coming up just short against two West Division powers, UB goes on the road against Miami. The Bulls are No. 2 (MAC) in total offense, so UB should test a RedHawks defense that has been struggling at times.
7. Central Michigan (1-2 MAC , 3-4 overall) – The Chippewas got a big boost when tight end Tyler Conklin returned from injury. His two touchdowns keyed a CMU road win over Ohio two weeks ago. West leader Toledo, however, put a 30-10 loss on the Chippewas last Saturday.
8. Bowling Green (1-2 MAC, 1-6 overall) – The Falcons have been putting some things together on offense, but they are still giving up a bunch of points. Were it not for a late fumble at Miami, the Falcons would likely still be winless. Northern Illinois will certainly be a test for the Falcons this week.
9. Kent State (1-2 MAC, 2-5 overall) – George Bollas road to the rescue for KSU last week as the Flashes erased a 14-3 halftime deficit for a 17-14 win. Kent State defense is the strength. If/When it can get some offense, KSU can compete. It’s Ohio this weekend, and the two teams have had some good battles. It’s tough to win, though, when your offense is averaging 11 ppg and the opponent is averaging 39.7 ppg.
10. Miami (1-2 MAC, 2-5 overall) – The RedHawks cut down on mistakes and turnovers last year to forge an amazing stretch run that propelled them to a MAC East co-championship and bowl appearance. To date this year, the RedHawks have propelled themselves to a series of losses. Except for Notre Dame, every game on the schedule was within their grasp. Something -- sometimes bizarre – seemed to happen each week.
Injuries have been a part of it, but turnovers and penalties have played bigger roles. MU has already lost two MAC games to teams it beat last year. After Buffalo this week, the “Hawks face Ohio and Akron. Miami is capable enough, but not the way it has been playing, especially late in games.
11. Eastern Michigan (0-2 MAC, 2-4 overall) – The Eagles have absorbed one tough loss after another for the past month. Facing one of the military academies, as EMU did last week in a 28-27 loss at Army, usually takes a toll. Western Michigan and Northern Illinois await over the next two weeks. At least WMU is at home.
Defense has been Eastern strength. The Eagles are second (MAC) in scoring defense (19.8 ppg) and total defense (339.0 ypg).
12. Ball State (0-2 MAC, 2-4 overall) – The Cardinals have faced tough defenses in the last two weeks, and the results showed. Ball State failed to score a touchdown while totaling six points against Western Michigan and Akron. QB Jack Milas tossed three interceptions last week and three over the previous two games, so cutting down on the turnover will be one focus as Ball State tries to get back in the win column.
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