MAC ATTACK: WEEK 1
Given that many of our fellow board readers either went to a MAC school, have family who did (like me), or just follow the state of football in Ohio or the conference in general (Yertle, I'm talking to you), I thought I'd post some thoughts about the MAC each week. I will rank the teams based on their performance, and analyze the matchups as best I can. Eastern Michigan had a nice win Thursday over a Buffalo team that looks like it might be a legitimate D-IA school after a long and painful growing process, Western Michigan demolished a I-AA team, and Ball State was a thorn in Boston College's side for the entire game before succumbing after being unable to score in the fourth quarter. It looks like the MAC can still make some serious headway this year, starting with week 1, where they get several chances to mix it up with the big boys.
Team rankings:
1 (-) Toledo: 8 starters return to an explosive offense; the class of the conference preseason
2 (-) Marshall: The Herd return 2 experienced QBs, the MAC's best ground attack, and a seasoned D
3 (-) Bowling Green: 10 starters return on D, 9 on O. Talent level might not be quite as high, but seasoning makes up for it.
4 (-) Miami: No Big Ben hurts, but there is a lot of talent on defense and this team knows how to win
5 (-) Central Florida: George O'Leary will instill discipline lacking in recent years; this team has a load of talent and playmakers on offense
6 (-) Northern Illinois: Great coaching, phenomenal season last year. Several starters to replace, including key positions in their ground-based attack. Still, this ranking may be too low...and may move up quickly.
7 (-) Akron: This team could really be a pest this season, and had some success last year in the form of a winning record (7-5). New coaching yields...?
8 (-) Western Michigan: Broncos return 7 starters on D, and not much else. Gave up too many points in important games last year, and must replace virtually the entire offense.
9 (-) Ball State: A wild card, unsure what to expect here. Really tough early schedule may not reflect actual improvement level.
10 (-) Eastern Michigan: 8 defensive starters returned, and they have a veteran offensive line. Several winnable games and an enthusiastic new coach.
11 (-) Central Michigan: Chippewas return 17 starters, but is that good for a team that finished 3-9? Must hope experience=improvement. Also breaking in a new coach.
12 (-) Ohio: Not the bottom only because Kent State and Buffalo are in the conference. Scrapping an entire offensive philosophy (option) will not yield immediate results.
13 (-) Kent State: Not a horrible team last year (5-7), but the entire season rests on the shoulders of one player (Joshua Cribbs) who has run afoul with the law. Throw in a new coach and there is turmoil.
14 (-) Buffalo: May not be head-and-shoulders the worst team in the conference for the first time. Key players at skill positions could make this team competitive, which would be a step in the right direction.
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"
Miami (1-0) at Michigan (0-0)
Line: Michigan -13
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: Miami has the nation's longest winning streak, winning their last 13 games. The loss of Big Ben significantly diminishes their chances. Michigan receivers should be able to take advantage of the Miami secondary, but who will get them the ball? Michigan is always tough against non-conference foes at home. Miami has a game under their belt, but Indiana State doesn't count. Look for Michigan to pull away late.
Prediction: Michigan 35, Miami 21
Troy State (0-0) at Marshall (0-0)
Line: Marshall -14
Upset alert: 8
Synopsis: Marshall is clearly the favorite in this game, but the "other" Men of Troy have been known to surprise people once in a while...including Marshall, who they beat 33-24 last season in Troy, Alabama. They are anxious to make a good impression on their new Sun Belt conference, where they are an immediate contender. 17 returning starters make this a formidable team, and if Marshall is looking ahead to Ohio State and Georgia...look out.
Prediction: Marshall 28, Troy State 24
Central Florida (0-0) at Wisconsin (0-0)
Line: Wisconsin -23
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: Not having their new coach (attending his mother's funeral) will diminish their chances significantly. CFU is much improved, but still pretty green, and going against experience in the trenches for Wisconsin. They've been embarrassed early before (witness the 23-5 loss to UNLV last year) so it's hard to imagine them taking this game lightly.
Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Central Florida 14
Akron (0-0) at Penn State (0-0)
Line: Penn State -15
Upset alert: 5
Synopsis: Can it really be THAT bad in State College? Joe and Galen are hoping not, but Tom Bradley's defense will be the key in this one, as Akron has an established QB and a veteran line. The D is weak, so if Akron is to have any chance, it will have to be a shootout, which Penn State cannot survive. It will be time for a mutiny if they lose this opener, and expect the Lions to be ready.
Prediction: Penn State 31, Akron 20
VMI (0-0) at Ohio (0-0)
Line: none
Upset alert: 1
Synopsis: I-AA teams winning (Appalachian State over Wake Forest in the 90's not withstanding) are a very rare occurrence. Witness San Jose State blowing out Grambling 29-0, and immediately losing 65-3 to Florida en route to a 3-8 record. Ohio is a weak team breaking in an entirely new offense, but VMI appears to be just what the doctor ordered.
Prediction: Ohio 42, VMI 10
Kent State (0-0) at Iowa (0-0)
Line: Iowa -30
Upset alert: 0
Synopsis: Whatever you think of Iowa, they rarely beat themselves, and there is no conceivable way that Kent State has the talent to compete with the Hawkeyes at any position. A new coaching staff and some unsettled sopts on the lines goes against Kirk Ferentz and a seasoned Iowa defense. It is virtually impossible to imagine a scenario where this game is close.
Prediction: Iowa 56, Kent State 8
Toledo (0-0) at Minnesota (0-0)
Line: Minnesota -11.5
Upset alert: 7.5
Synopsis: Some are asking if Minnesota can win the Big Ten...perhaps they should start by asking if they can beat Toledo. The Rocket run defense is not their strength, which does not bode well playing the Gophers. On the flip side, they can burn a D in several ways, and Minnesota must be up to the challenge. This is probably the most intriguing game of the week.
Prediction: Minnesota 28, Toledo 27
Bowling Green (0-0) at Oklahoma (0-0)
Line: Oklahoma -32
Upset alert: 2
Synopsis: Ouch. Breaking in a new QB against the Sooners in Norman is, well, like checking into a motel run by Norman...Bates. Still, BGSU has many starters returning, and a coach who seems to have a good grasp on things. They have played big venues before, and will not be overly intimidated. Oklahoma is still the clear choice, but it will be closer than people think.
Prediction: Oklahoma 42, BGSU 22
Northern Illinois (0-0) at Maryland (0-0)
Line: Maryland -14.5
Upset alert: 3.5
Synopsis: The cupboard is not bare at NIU, but they must replace their star tailback and settle their front 4 on D against a team looking for huge, huge payback. Maryland has starters lost of their own, but the wizard that is Ralph Friedgen can make last season an afterthought. Still, Maryland has started slow 2 years in a row, so anything is possible.
Prediction: Maryland 31, NIU 13
Central Michigan (0-0) at Indiana (0-0)
Line: Indiana -13.5
Upset alert: 6
Synopsis: Could this be one of those "major conference wins" that doesn't come against a good team in a major conference? It could, given Indiana's recent struggles with the likes of William and Mary. The Chippewas need to put points up in bunches, and hope all the returning starters in the middle of the defense can control an Indiana offense that quite frankly has been absolutely horrible for years. This is a game where anything can happen, and there is really no way to know why.
Prediction: Indiana 17, CMU 16
Record (SU): 0-0
Record (VL): 0-0
Given that many of our fellow board readers either went to a MAC school, have family who did (like me), or just follow the state of football in Ohio or the conference in general (Yertle, I'm talking to you), I thought I'd post some thoughts about the MAC each week. I will rank the teams based on their performance, and analyze the matchups as best I can. Eastern Michigan had a nice win Thursday over a Buffalo team that looks like it might be a legitimate D-IA school after a long and painful growing process, Western Michigan demolished a I-AA team, and Ball State was a thorn in Boston College's side for the entire game before succumbing after being unable to score in the fourth quarter. It looks like the MAC can still make some serious headway this year, starting with week 1, where they get several chances to mix it up with the big boys.
Team rankings:
1 (-) Toledo: 8 starters return to an explosive offense; the class of the conference preseason
2 (-) Marshall: The Herd return 2 experienced QBs, the MAC's best ground attack, and a seasoned D
3 (-) Bowling Green: 10 starters return on D, 9 on O. Talent level might not be quite as high, but seasoning makes up for it.
4 (-) Miami: No Big Ben hurts, but there is a lot of talent on defense and this team knows how to win
5 (-) Central Florida: George O'Leary will instill discipline lacking in recent years; this team has a load of talent and playmakers on offense
6 (-) Northern Illinois: Great coaching, phenomenal season last year. Several starters to replace, including key positions in their ground-based attack. Still, this ranking may be too low...and may move up quickly.
7 (-) Akron: This team could really be a pest this season, and had some success last year in the form of a winning record (7-5). New coaching yields...?
8 (-) Western Michigan: Broncos return 7 starters on D, and not much else. Gave up too many points in important games last year, and must replace virtually the entire offense.
9 (-) Ball State: A wild card, unsure what to expect here. Really tough early schedule may not reflect actual improvement level.
10 (-) Eastern Michigan: 8 defensive starters returned, and they have a veteran offensive line. Several winnable games and an enthusiastic new coach.
11 (-) Central Michigan: Chippewas return 17 starters, but is that good for a team that finished 3-9? Must hope experience=improvement. Also breaking in a new coach.
12 (-) Ohio: Not the bottom only because Kent State and Buffalo are in the conference. Scrapping an entire offensive philosophy (option) will not yield immediate results.
13 (-) Kent State: Not a horrible team last year (5-7), but the entire season rests on the shoulders of one player (Joshua Cribbs) who has run afoul with the law. Throw in a new coach and there is turmoil.
14 (-) Buffalo: May not be head-and-shoulders the worst team in the conference for the first time. Key players at skill positions could make this team competitive, which would be a step in the right direction.
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"
Miami (1-0) at Michigan (0-0)
Line: Michigan -13
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: Miami has the nation's longest winning streak, winning their last 13 games. The loss of Big Ben significantly diminishes their chances. Michigan receivers should be able to take advantage of the Miami secondary, but who will get them the ball? Michigan is always tough against non-conference foes at home. Miami has a game under their belt, but Indiana State doesn't count. Look for Michigan to pull away late.
Prediction: Michigan 35, Miami 21
Troy State (0-0) at Marshall (0-0)
Line: Marshall -14
Upset alert: 8
Synopsis: Marshall is clearly the favorite in this game, but the "other" Men of Troy have been known to surprise people once in a while...including Marshall, who they beat 33-24 last season in Troy, Alabama. They are anxious to make a good impression on their new Sun Belt conference, where they are an immediate contender. 17 returning starters make this a formidable team, and if Marshall is looking ahead to Ohio State and Georgia...look out.
Prediction: Marshall 28, Troy State 24
Central Florida (0-0) at Wisconsin (0-0)
Line: Wisconsin -23
Upset alert: 4
Synopsis: Not having their new coach (attending his mother's funeral) will diminish their chances significantly. CFU is much improved, but still pretty green, and going against experience in the trenches for Wisconsin. They've been embarrassed early before (witness the 23-5 loss to UNLV last year) so it's hard to imagine them taking this game lightly.
Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Central Florida 14
Akron (0-0) at Penn State (0-0)
Line: Penn State -15
Upset alert: 5
Synopsis: Can it really be THAT bad in State College? Joe and Galen are hoping not, but Tom Bradley's defense will be the key in this one, as Akron has an established QB and a veteran line. The D is weak, so if Akron is to have any chance, it will have to be a shootout, which Penn State cannot survive. It will be time for a mutiny if they lose this opener, and expect the Lions to be ready.
Prediction: Penn State 31, Akron 20
VMI (0-0) at Ohio (0-0)
Line: none
Upset alert: 1
Synopsis: I-AA teams winning (Appalachian State over Wake Forest in the 90's not withstanding) are a very rare occurrence. Witness San Jose State blowing out Grambling 29-0, and immediately losing 65-3 to Florida en route to a 3-8 record. Ohio is a weak team breaking in an entirely new offense, but VMI appears to be just what the doctor ordered.
Prediction: Ohio 42, VMI 10
Kent State (0-0) at Iowa (0-0)
Line: Iowa -30
Upset alert: 0
Synopsis: Whatever you think of Iowa, they rarely beat themselves, and there is no conceivable way that Kent State has the talent to compete with the Hawkeyes at any position. A new coaching staff and some unsettled sopts on the lines goes against Kirk Ferentz and a seasoned Iowa defense. It is virtually impossible to imagine a scenario where this game is close.
Prediction: Iowa 56, Kent State 8
Toledo (0-0) at Minnesota (0-0)
Line: Minnesota -11.5
Upset alert: 7.5
Synopsis: Some are asking if Minnesota can win the Big Ten...perhaps they should start by asking if they can beat Toledo. The Rocket run defense is not their strength, which does not bode well playing the Gophers. On the flip side, they can burn a D in several ways, and Minnesota must be up to the challenge. This is probably the most intriguing game of the week.
Prediction: Minnesota 28, Toledo 27
Bowling Green (0-0) at Oklahoma (0-0)
Line: Oklahoma -32
Upset alert: 2
Synopsis: Ouch. Breaking in a new QB against the Sooners in Norman is, well, like checking into a motel run by Norman...Bates. Still, BGSU has many starters returning, and a coach who seems to have a good grasp on things. They have played big venues before, and will not be overly intimidated. Oklahoma is still the clear choice, but it will be closer than people think.
Prediction: Oklahoma 42, BGSU 22
Northern Illinois (0-0) at Maryland (0-0)
Line: Maryland -14.5
Upset alert: 3.5
Synopsis: The cupboard is not bare at NIU, but they must replace their star tailback and settle their front 4 on D against a team looking for huge, huge payback. Maryland has starters lost of their own, but the wizard that is Ralph Friedgen can make last season an afterthought. Still, Maryland has started slow 2 years in a row, so anything is possible.
Prediction: Maryland 31, NIU 13
Central Michigan (0-0) at Indiana (0-0)
Line: Indiana -13.5
Upset alert: 6
Synopsis: Could this be one of those "major conference wins" that doesn't come against a good team in a major conference? It could, given Indiana's recent struggles with the likes of William and Mary. The Chippewas need to put points up in bunches, and hope all the returning starters in the middle of the defense can control an Indiana offense that quite frankly has been absolutely horrible for years. This is a game where anything can happen, and there is really no way to know why.
Prediction: Indiana 17, CMU 16
Record (SU): 0-0
Record (VL): 0-0
