• Blog
  • About Us
  • Links
  MAC Reporter Online

MRO  Power Rankings – Oct. 25

10/25/2016

 
Picture
Jim Olsen
There weren’t all that many “upsets” per se in last Saturday’s action. Nonetheless, it got a little weird when it came time for doing this week’s power rankings. Perhaps it provided more clarity for reading the tea leaves – or something like that. At any rate, there is a fair amount of movement in the latest rankings.

Click Read More to continue . . .

1. Western Michigan Broncos (8-0, 4-0 MAC)
The beat goes on for the Broncos, who rolled up at least 40 points for the fifth consecutive week. Unlike the previous outing, when even one score would have been enough, WMU needed most of their 45 against an Eastern Michigan team that put 31 on the board.
 
2. Toledo Rockets (6-1, 3-0 MAC)
It’s obviously important for the Rockets to avoid a stumble. Playing at home hasn’t been a guarantee of anything, but UT took care of business against Central Michigan last Saturday. The Chippewas are certainly capable enough, so the Rockets have “that one” out of the way.Toledo will stay on its new home turf this week, hosting Ohio Thursday.
 
3. Central Michigan  Chippewas (5-3, 2-2 MAC)
CMU is hanging on at No. 3, in part, due to the fact that last week’s No’s. 3, 4 and 5 teams all lost. The Chips have Kent State at home Saturday in a battle good offense vs. good defense. CMU really should be able to handle this.
 
4. Eastern Michigan  Eagles (5-3, 2-2 MAC)
The Eagles are soooooo close to overtaking Central right now. The two don’t meet until their final game, but there is a very fine line right now. Eastern went down to Western Michigan last week, but the Broncos knew they were facing a much improved team. EMU gets another improved team this Saturday. Miami has won two straight since the surprising return of QB Gus Ragland.
 
5. Akron Zips (5-3, 3-1 MAC)
The Zips bounced back from their Western Michigan debacle with a 35-25 win at Ball State. Getting Thomas Woodson back after he missed three games no doubt helped.  He completed 27 of 40 for 338 yards  with two TDs and no picks in his return. That’ll work! UA has Buffalo at home Saturday. Then comes the stretch run.
 
6. Ohio Bobcats ((4-3, 3-1 MAC)
Freshman Quinton Maxwell went the distance at quarterback last week and the “Cats  held on for a 14-10 win at Kent State. A late stand by the defense saved the day after KSU recovered a late fumble at the Ohio 11. Nothing about that game bodes well for Thursday’s matchup at Toledo. It still looks like Akron and Ohio for the East title, but both have been less than spectacular (to put it mildly) at times.
 
7. Northern Illinois Huskies (2-6, 2-2 MAC)
The Huskies climb up a spot this week after pummeling Buffalo, 44-7. NIU is 2-2 over the last four games. One of the losses was in triple overtime. The other was by 15 points to No. 20 Western Michigan, who tacked on a late touchdown.
 
8. BallState Cardinals (4-4, 1-3 MAC)
The Cardinals stock is falling. They’ve won just one of the last four outings, and that was against Buffalo (31-21). Ball State led 17-7 at home last week against Akron. The Zips then scored four second half TDs (against one BSU touchdown) to grab the win.
 
9. Miami RedHawks (2-6, 2-2 MAC)
Chuck Martin’s crew also moves up a spot and could go further with a win Saturday at Eastern. That will be a tall order, however, as EMU is the “Surprise of the MAC” this season. The return of Gus Ragland has sparked MU’s offense, which has cut down on turnovers to help its cause. Both sides of the ball, however, combined for double digit turnovers again last week. Two BG scoring drives were largely aided by penalties. The defense was also somewhat inconsistent – playing very well at times and “disappointing” at other moments.
 
10. Bowling Green Falcons (1-7, 0-4 MAC)
Defense and turnovers again proved to be problems for the Falcons last week as Miami downed BGSU, 40-26. It’s a very capable team on offense, even with a freshman quarterback. But the defense needs to improve and the turnovers aren’t helping.
 
11. Kent State Golden Flashes (2-6, 1-3)
The Flashes were on the brink of a big upset last week when they recovered a fumble at the Ohio 11 in the closing minutes. Alas, the Bobcat defense rose to the occasion, sending KSU down to defeat, 14-10, with a “red zone stand.” It’s amazing what Nick Holley has accomplished on a week-to-week basis in spite of team’s preparing for him. He had 41 carries (159 yards) and threw 29 passes against Ohio. At this rate, he might be sore until spring ball.
 
12.  Buffalo Bulls (1-6, 0-3 MAC)
The Bulls took it on the chin Saturday at Northern Illinois (44-7). It was 30-7 by intermission. Four interceptions didn’t help. Of course, 1 of 12 on third down conversions is another issue. The Bulls face MAC East leaders Akron (home) and Ohio (away) over the next two weeks. At least it’s not the MAC West leaders. Oh, wait a minute … UB travels to No. 20 Western Michigan Nov. 19!!!!


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    MAC Football 

    MAC FOOTBALL 
    2024
    REGULAR SEASON
    FINAL STANDINGS
    CLICK HERE

    Picture
    MAC Basketball 
    MAC BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

    MAC BASKETBALL
    STATISTICS

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Basketball
    Football
    Other

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly