 Photo: Jim Klapthor/MAC Report Online
Out of the five non-automatic qualifier BCS conferences, the MAC, with victories by Bowling Green over Minnesota (32-31, OT) and Kent State over Iowa State (23-14) trailed only the Mountain West Conference in terms of opening week wins over BCS member schools.
The Mountain West claimed three victories with Wyoming knocking off Virginia, 23-3; Brigham Young defeating Arizona 20-7 and TCU bumping off Baylor 27-0.
Elsewhere among the non-automatic qualifiers, Conference USA dropped six out of seven contests against BCS competition as former MAC member UCF delivered Conference USA's sole BCS win in a 25-23 victory over North Carolina. Meanwhile the Sun Belt and Western Athletic Conference went a combined 0-8 against opening week BCS competition.
Can the MAC keep it going this week? See our game previews for some possible answers.
MAC Places Three on Butkus Award Watch List
The 2007 Butkus Award Watch List was recently released and three MAC gridders appear on the list of 66 candidates for the award which is presented annually by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Making his first appearance on any of the preseason watch lists is Miami junior linebacker Joey Hudson. Hudson entered the 2007 season a Miami's leading returning tackler, having recorded 97 tackles in 2006 and being named second team All-MAC. Hudson recorded five tackles in Miami's opening season win at Ball State.
Making a return appearance on the Butkus Award watch list is Northern Illinois junior middle linebacker Tim McCarthy. McCarthy was a first team All-MAC selection in 2006 after recording 111 tackles for the Huskies last season. McCarthy recorded seven tackles in the Huskies' loss to Iowa.
 Rounding out the MAC's representation on the Butkus Award watch list is Central Michigan linebacker Red Keith. Keith is the MAC's returning leading tackler from 2006, having recorded 127 stops and also entered the 2007 campaign as the NCAA's active career leader in sacks, having recorded 331 tackles entering the season. Keith added five tackles to his career total in Central Michigan's opening season loss to Kansas.
The Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semi-finalists on Thursday, October 18. That semi-finalist list will be cut down to three finalists and will be announced on Thursday, November 9. The winner will be announced in December in Orlando, FL.
GAME PREVIEWS
Saturday, September 8
Akron (1-0) at (10)Ohio State (1-0), Noon ET
Site: Ohio Stadium
Series: Ohio State leads 5-1 (Last meeting: Ohio State 28, Akron 14 in 2001).
Television: Big Ten Network
Outlook: Akron heads into hostile territory after posting an opening season 22-14 win over Army in the first ever Patriot Bowl. The Zips' were led by a strong defensive effort, highlighted by a 74-yard interception TD return by Reggie Corner while on offense senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur recorded a career-best 125 yards receiving. The Zips will need to establish a running attack so look for Dennis Kennedy who rushed for 72 yards last week, to get plenty of work early in support of QB Chris Jacquemain who completed 14-24 passes for 125 yards and 1 TD in his Zips debut. The Buckeyes opened the season with a 38-6 win against Youngstown State as Todd Boeckman made his debut as OSU's signal caller, going 17-23 for 225 yards and two TD's and should give the Zips secondary a stiff test after nine different receivers caught passes last week for Ohio State. Buckeyes' head coach Jim Tressel was 7-2-1 against Akron while head coach at Youngstown State.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Akron 17.
Bowling Green (1-0) at Michigan State (1-0), Noon ET
Site: Spartan Stadium
Series: Michigan State leads 1-0 (Last meeting: Michigan State, Bowling Green 7 in 1981).
Television: Big Ten Network
Outlook: Bowling Green scored a victory last week on the road against the Big Ten's Minnesota Gophers, pulling out a thrilling 32-31 overtime win after having stormed out to a 21-0 first half lead. The Falcons, who rolled up 512 yards of total offense against the Gophers, were led by sophomore QB Tyler Sheehan who was 34-51 for 388 yards in his debut as the Falcons' starting QB. The Falcons will be attempting to open the season 2-0 for the first time since Gregg Brandon's first year as Falcons' head coach when BG opened with wins against Eastern Kentucky and Purdue. Michigan State also had a big opening week, dominating UAB 55-18 as the Spartans racked up 593 yards in offense in their home opener behind four touchdowns from RB Jehu Caulcrick. The Falcons gave up 246 yards rushing last week to Minnesota as Amir Pinnix rushed for 168 yards and a pair of TD's and will be pressed this week by a strong rushing attack that is more diverse than what Minnesota was able to present.
Prediction: Michigan State 38, Bowling Green 23.
Miami (1-0, 1-0 MAC) at Minnesota (0-1), Noon ET
Site: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Series: Minnesota Leads 1-0 (Last meeting: Minnesota 35, Miami 3 in 1988).
Television: Big Ten Network
Outlook: Miami opened the season with a conference road win at Ball State,14-13, and will be looking to start the season 2-0 for the 46th time in school history. The RedHawks last defeated a Big 10 team in 2003 when Miami trounced Northwestern 44-14. The RedHawks though are likely to be facing a motivated team of Gophers who are still smarting from last week's 32-31 OT loss to Bowling Green. Miami was led last week on the ground by Brandon Murphy's 123 yards and two TD's. The Gophers held BG in check on the ground last week but were susceptible to aerial attack as BG hung 412 yards passing on the Gophers and a solid game will be needed from Miami QB Mike Kokal for the RedHawks to entertain thoughts of a second MAC upset of the Gophers. Minnesota rallied from 21-0 against BG by going to a ground attack and scored 24 unanswered points, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Miami's defensive line will be severely tested against the homestanding Gophers.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Miami 10.
Ball State (0-1, 0-1 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (0-1), Noon ET
Site: Rynearson Stadium
Series: Ball State leads 26-20-2 (Last meeting: Ball State 38, Eastern Michigan 20).
Television: Comcast Local
Outlook: Ball State had a surprisingly difficult time moving the ball in its opening season 14-13 loss to Miami. Despite tallying 328 yards in offense against the RedHawks, the Cardinals only crossed the goal line once as QB Nate Davis appeared tentative in the season opener. The Cardinals' defense however came up strong against Miami, limiting the RedHawks to 118 yards passing. Eastern Michigan opened the season on the wrong of a 27-3 decision against Pittsburgh. The Eagles also struggled on offense, with only 145 yards of total offense, which included only 39 yards rushing and eight first downs. Eastern Michigan has not scored a TD in its last three contests and is on a seven game losing streak, dating back to last season. These teams possess two of the top punters in the MAC with BSU's Chris Miller averaging 47.2 yards per punt and Eastern Michigan's Zach Johnson posting an average of 46.1 yards per punt. Both are likely to get a lot of work as field position will be crucial in this contest.
Prediction: Ball State 17, Eastern Michigan 10.
Buffalo (0-1) at Temple (0-1), 1:00 pm ET
Site: Lincoln Financial Field
Series: Buffalo leads 10-1 (Last meeting: Buffalo 9, Temple 3 in 2006).
Outlook: Temple plays its first-ever conference game as a member of the Mid-American Conference after opening the season with a 30-19 setback at home against Navy. The Owls were led by QB Adam DiMichele's 199 yards passing and two touchdowns but yielded 361 yards on the ground to Navy. Temple suffered a further loss in their backfield this past week when RB Keien Williams was lost for the season. The Owls played 15 true freshman last week against Navy. Buffalo opened the season with a 38-3 loss to 15th ranked Rutgers and were limited to only 235 yards of total offense but a bright spot was the rushing of sophomore Mario Henry who averaged 6.1 yards per carry but were repeatedly exploited by Rutgers' passing attack, giving up 328 aerial yards. Temple has two dangerous receiving weapons in Travis Shelton and Darryl Robinson which could prove the difference and give Temple its first-ever MAC victory.
Prediction: Temple 20, Buffalo 16.
Ohio (1-0) at Louisiana-Lafayette (0-1), 6:00 pm ET
Site: Cajun Field
Series: First Meeting
Outlook: Ohio opened the season with a 36-14 victory over Gardner-Webb as Kalvin McRae rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns and Josh Abrams came within one blocked punt of tying the NCAA record for blocked punts in a game, registering three blocks. The Bobcats' defense came up big as well with two picks while limiting the Bulldogs to sixty-five yards rushing. The Ragin' Cajuns opened the season with a loss on the road to South Carolina, 28-14, a game in which ULL had tied the highly-favored Gamecocks 14-14 before surrendering a pair of unanswered touchdowns. The Cajuns averaged better than five yards per rushing attempt and were led by QB Michael Desormeaux's 116 yards and junior TB Tyrell Fenroy, who has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons, had 88 yards. The Cajuns however were stymied through the air, with only 63 yards passing. Playing in the Bayou in September is a tough assignment, but Ohio should have enough to overcome the Cajuns and the heat.
Prediction: Ohio 23, Louisiana-Lafayette 20.
Kent State (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0), 6:00 pm ET
Site: Commonwealth Stadium
Series: Kentucky Leads 5-0 (Last meeting: Kentucky 35, Kent State 0 in 1993).
Outlook: Kent State opened the season by delivering the MAC's first BCS win of the season, defeating Iowa State on the road, 23-14. A win against Kentucky would give Kent State its first 2-0 start since 1988. The Golden Flashes were led on the ground by Eugene Jarvis' 113 yard effort, the fourth 100-yard rushing game of his young career, and QB Julian Edelman who accounted for 236 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The Flashes kept the Cyclones in check, allowing only 148 yards passing while preseason All-MAC DB Jack Williams had a stellar opening night, recording 12 tackles. Kentucky opened the season with a 50-10 thrashing of Eastern Kentucky in their season opener. The Wildcats have a potent combination in quarterback Andre Woodson, a second-team All-SEC selection in 2006 who passed for three TD's in the Wildcats' opening win, and WR Keenan Burton, a first-team All-SEC pick last season. The Wildcats also have some firepower on the ground in senior Rafael Little who rushed for 135 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. Kent State head coach Doug Martin is four-year letterwinner at Kentucky and would love nothing more than to make it two straight with a win against the Wildcats. Kent State is 0-9 all-time against schools from the SEC. Can the Flashes pull it off two weeks in a row against the BCS? Eastern Kentucky isn’t Kent State. Let's hear it for the Flashes!
Prediction: Kent State 26, Kentucky 24.
Southern Illinois (1-0) at Northern Illinois (0-1), 7:30 pm ET
Site: Huskie Stadium
Series: Northern Illinois leads 28-13-1 (Last meeting: Northern Illinois 23, Southern Illinois 22 in 2004).
Television: CSN Chicago
Outlook: Northern Illinois begins a stretch of three straight home games when they take on in-state opponent Southern Illinois in their home opener Saturday. The Huskies opened with a 16-3 setback against Iowa at Soldier Field and will be looking to get their offense kick-started. Without Garrett Wolfe in the backfield, the Huskies were held to only 21 yards rushing, for an average of 1 yard per carry. Montell Clanton remains the starter at TB but it will be a "running back by committee" arrangement until someone distinguishes themselves. QB Dan Nicholson will be looking to improve as well on a three-interception, 214 yard performance. The Huskies defense though proved tough to pass against, limiting the Hawkeyes to 133 aerial yards. Southern Illinois comes in ranked 11th nationally in the FCS and throttled Quincy in its season-opening tilt, 59-14. The Salukis are not a pushover, having knocked off Indiana last season. The Huskies should prevail, but they will have to earn it against a solid SIU squad.
Prediction: Northern Illinois 27, Southern Illinois 19.
Toledo (0-1) at Central Michigan (0-1), 7:00 pm ET
Site: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Series: Toledo leads 17-15-3 (Last meeting: Central Michigan 42, Toledo 20 in 2006).
Outlook: Both squads open MAC play after suffering blowout season-opening losses. Central Michigan traveled to Kansas and was dismantled by the Jayhawks, 52-7, The Chippewas' new hurry-up spread offense under first-year head coach Butch Jones was ineffective and held scoreless until a late, fourth-quarter touchdown. If that wasn't bad enough, the Chips' defense surrendered 538 yards of total offense to the Jayhawks who took a 35-0 halftime lead over the Chips and were never threatened. The Rockets did not fare much better in their home opener, getting shredded by Purdue QB Chris Painter for four touchdowns in a 52-24 setback, Toledo's first non-conference opening season loss under head coach Tom Amstutz. The Rockets were able to move the ball on the ground however with 172 yards rushing. The Rockets and Chips' defensive units combined yielded an amazing 1,026 yards in offense. Whoever has the ball last in this one may be the deciding factor on a night when Central Michigan raises the MAC championship banner in its home opener.
Prediction: Central Michigan 38, Toledo 34.
Indiana (1-0) at Western Michigan (0-1), 8:00 pm ET
Site: Waldo Stadium
Series: Indiana leads 3-0 (Last meeting: Indiana 39, Western Michigan 20 in 2006).
Television: ESPNU
Outlook: Western Michigan opens the home portion of its schedule welcoming in Indiana after losing 62-24 last week to third-ranked West Virginia. The Broncos kept within 14 points of the Mountaineers, trailing 28-14 at halftime but the potent combination of Pat White and Steve Slaton was just too much to overcome as the Broncos defense gave up 542 yards in offense. Another concern for the Broncos is their defensive depth which took a hit when LB Austin Pritchard left the West Virginia game with a knee injury and his status is certain as is the status of safety Louis Delmas and CB Londen Fryar who were each held of out of practice and will be game time decisions. The Broncos will again start Tim Hiller at QB who passed for 160 yards against the Mountaineers with his favorite target being Jamarko Simmons who hauled in 14 catches for 144 yards and two TD's. Indiana opened the season by putting a pasting on hapless Indiana State, 55-0 in former Ball State head coach Bill Lynch's debut as head coach of the Hoosiers following the untimely passing of Terry Hoeppner. If the Broncos enter the contest with a depleted secondary they could have a very tough time containing the Hoosiers' passing combination of QB Kellen Lewis and WR James Hardy, who, over the Hoosiers' last seven games, have combined for all 11 of Indiana's passing TD's and 688 yards of offense. Last week Hardy recorded 153 yards in receiving, scoring twice on passes of 79 and 58 yards. With a sound secondary, Western Michigan would be our pick, however with the recent injuries, the Broncos may have a difficult time stopping the Hoosiers' passing attack.
Prediction: Indiana 31, Western Michigan 27.
On Tap
The schedule for the week ahead: 
Saturday, September 15
Eastern Michigan at Northern Illinois, 11:00 am ET
Cincinnati at Miami, Noon ET
Central Michigan at Purdue, Noon ET
Akron at Indiana, Noon ET
Buffalo at Penn State, Noon ET
Temple at Connecticut, Noon ET
Ohio at Virginia Tech, 1:30 pm ET
Western Michigan at Missouri, 2:00 pm ET
Delaware State at Kent State, 4:00 pm ET
Ball State at Navy, 5:00 pm ET
Toledo at Kansas, 6:00 pm ET
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