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Things should start to shake out a bit this week, especially in the MAC East, as two teams sporting unblemished divisional records, Bowling Green and Miami, square off in Oxford as they chase Buffalo, yes Buffalo, for the top spot in the East.

It's been a wild year so far in the MAC and we have previews of every upcoming game for this Saturday, but first we have to get to some unfinished business, including an incredible injustice that continues to be visited upon one of the greatest athletes ever to suit up in the MAC.

Tough Luck Chuck
The numbers are staggering. The injustice is infuriating.

We are referring to the continuing saga of the efforts to get former University of Toledo quarterback Chuck Ealey inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame. At first glance, Ealey's inclusion should be a no-brainer. The numbers alone would seem to demand his inclusion into the Hall of Fame.

There is no other collegiate athlete that can boast of the following list of eye-popping accomplishments:

**Ealey led to Toledo to a perfect 35-0 mark as the starting quarterback of the Rockets from 1969 through 1971.
**Under Ealey, the Rockets claimed three consecutive Tangerine Bowl championships
**The Rockets were ranked in the AP Top 20 every year under Ealey; Ranking 20th in 1969; 14th in 1970 and 12th in 1971.
**Ealey was named MAC Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons.
**Finished 8th in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1971
**Named First Team All-American by Football News in 1971.

So, why is Ealey not in the Hall of Fame? Well, the National Football Foundation has some very specific requirements for entry and Ealey just happens to fall outside of their antiquated method of determining who qualifies for induction.

According to the NFF's rules, a player, to be considered for the Hall of Fame, must have received first team All-American recognition from one of five accredited media outlets at the time of a player's active career. During Ealey's time at Toledo, those outlets were the Associated Press, United Press International, the Football Writers' Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association and the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Unfortunately, none of these five conferred All-American status on Ealey during his career.

The Football News did become a recognized media outlet by the NFF in 1993 and organizers of the "Induct Chuck" campaign have been hopeful that he could be grandfathered in under the All-American criteria based upon his being voted All-American by Football News in 1971. But this appears to be a longshot as the Football News was little more than a betting tout sheet back in 1971 and did not shed its somewhat unseemly reputation until it was sold in the early '90s.

The other angle that Ealey's supporters are pursuing is to add an alternative criteria, namely that a player receiving top ten consideration in Heisman voting should qualify for consideration for Hall of Fame inclusion.

Whatever it takes, it is long overdue that Ealey receive recognition for a career that included never once losing either a high school or college football game. Ealey was by-passed for the 1972 NFL draft after he made it clear that he would only play in the NFL as a quarterback. Keep in mind that black quarterbacks were hardly the norm thirty-six years ago and it was quite common for black collegiate quarterbacks to be moved to other positions such as wide receiver, running back or kick return specialists. We'll let the reader draw his/her own conclusions on the reasoning behind this thinking.

But Ealey was undeterred and played in the CFL where he led the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a Grey Cup in his rookie season, being named Grey Cup MVP and Rookie of the Year. Ealey ended his playing career in 1978 after suffering a career-ending injury.

The former Rocket great still makes his home in Hamilton, ON and is a certified financial planner.

Eventually you have to believe that justice will prevail and the Hall of Fame folks at the NFF will wake up and stop giving Ealey the proverbial "Tough Luck Chuck" treatment. In the meantime, those interested in taking up the cause can visit http://www.inductchuck.com/ and sign the virtual petition as well as volunteer to spread the word.

Department of Defense
While the MAC continues to be home to some impressive offensive performers this season such as Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis, Ball State and Central Michigan quarterbacks Nate Davis and Dan LeFevour and Akron wide receiver Jabari Arthur, there are also several outstanding defensive performers who are making their marks this season.

Their performances may not make the highlight reels week in and week out, such is the life unfortunately of a defensive stalwart, but that does not mean that their accomplishments should go unrecognized.

Halfway through the MAC season, here are our top five contenders for MAC Defensive Player of the Year:

1) Daniel Holtzclaw, LB, Eastern Michigan. Holtzclaw, our preseason choice for MAC Defensive Player of the Year has lived up to expectations and then some. Holtzclaw topped the MAC last season in tackles per game and this season is right back at the top again, leading the MAC in total tackles (68) and tackles per game (11.3). Holtzclaw also ranks fifth nationally in total tackles and eighth in tackles per game.

2) Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois. In what has been an otherwise disappointing season for the Huskies, Larry English is another player who has lived up to his preseason billing. English tops the MAC with seven solo quarterback sacks and is third in the conference with ten tackles for loss. English's seven sacks also rank fourth nationally.  

3) Trevor Scott, DL, Buffalo. When we interviewed Buffalo head coach Turner Gill prior to the start of the 2007 season he did not hesitate to tell us that he felt Trevor Scott was not only the best athlete on the Bulls' squad, but was about to have a breakout season. Gill so far has proven prophetic. Scott has six solo QB sacks and two assisted sacks, to rank in a fourth place tie nationally with NIU's Larry English in the sack department. Scott also ranks sixth in the MAC in tackles for loss with eight TFL's. Scott also tops the MAC, along with Ball State's Brandon Crawford, with three forced fumbles.

4) Jason Jones, DT, Eastern Michigan. Jones led the MAC last season in tackles for loss and finished fifth nationally yet failed to earn All-MAC. This season Jones is potentially having an All-American season. Once again Jones tops the MAC in tackles for loss, with thirteen TFL's resulting in a loss of 36 yards. Jones is currently third in the nation, averaging 2.08 tackles for loss per game and seemingly spends more time in the backfield than most opposing quarterbacks and running backs.

5) Terrance Knighton, DT, Temple. The Owls have struggled on offense but their defense has had its moments this season such as Terrance Knighton's 66-yard touchdown return in their first-ever MAC win in last week's contest against Northern Illinois. Knighton has quickly developed into one of the top ball-hawking defenders in the MAC and tops the conference with three fumble recoveries.

Watch list: PJ Mahone, DB, Bowling Green; Ryan Downard, DB, Eastern Michigan; Clayton Mullins, LB, Miami; Red Keith, LB, Central Michigan.

GAME PREVIEWS

Saturday, October 13
Eastern Michigan (2-4, 1-1 MAC) at Ohio (2-4, 0-2 MAC), Noon ET
Site: Peden Stadium
Series: Ohio leads 14-11-1 (Last meeting: Ohio 16, Eastern Michigan 10 in 2006).
Television: ESPN Plus -  List of Affiliates
Outlook: Eastern Michigan and Ohio enter their crossover MAC contest on a combined six-game losing streak but the Eagles are feeling pretty good about themselves following a hard-fought 33-22 loss to Michigan while Ohio is searching for answers after being thoroughly outplayed at Buffalo, 31-10. The Eagles have been getting it done on defense with three players at the top of the MAC charts in key defensive categories. LB Daniel Holtzclaw tops the MAC in total tackles and tackles per game; DT Jason Jones leads the MAC in tackles for loss and redshirt freshman DB Ryan Downard tops the MAC with four interceptions. The Eagles though have struggled on offense, ranking last in the MAC in total offense and 12th in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game. Likewise Ohio has struggled on offense, especially of late on the ground as tailback Kalvin McRae has been held under 100 yards in each of the Bobcats' four straight losses. Ohio also ranks a surprising tenth in rushing offense, averaging only 102.3 yards per game and continues to search for a consistent performance from their signal-caller, using both Brad Bower and Theo Scott last week with each contributing only 93 yards of passing offense. All signs point to a low-scoring affair. We are going out on a limb here and going with the green and white in this one.
Prediction: Ohio 20, Eastern Michigan 17.

Kent State (3-3, 1-2 MAC) at (3)Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten), Noon ET
Site: Ohio Stadium
Series: Ohio State leads 1-0 (Last meeting: Ohio Sate 51, Kent State 7 in 2000).
Television: Big Ten Network
Outlook: Kent State is the team that just can't seem to get out of its own way this season. Sporting potentially the conference's top ground duo of QB Julian Edelman and RB Eugene Jarvis (Kent State tops the MAC in rushing offense, averaging 230.5 yards rushing per game), the Flashes have consistently been their own worst enemy, ranking 12th in the MAC in turnover margin (-1.17), having coughed up the pigskin 17 times already this season while also averaging a league high of 77.7 yards in penalties per game. Jarvis, who is still third nationally with 851 yards rushing, needs to get more than the 19 carries that he had last week but more importantly the Flashes must protect the ball this week to keep the game respectable against the third-ranked Buckeyes who rank first in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 7.1 points per game and are second in total defense nationally, allowing 210 yards per game and shut down one of the nation's top quarterbacks last week, and the Big Ten's top-ranked offense, in defeating Purdue 23-7. Stat of the week: Ohio State has forced more punts (57) than they have given up points (43) this season.
Prediction: Ohio State 43, Kent State 13.

Western Kentucky (3-2) at Ball State (3-3, 2-2 MAC), 2:00 pm ET
Site: Scheumann Stadium
Series: Western Kentucky Leads 1-0 (Last meeting: Western Kentucky 13, Ball State 0 in 1929).
Television: ESPN Plus
Outlook: Like the line from the old game show "To Tell The Truth," the MAC is waiting for the real Ball State Cardinals to stand up. Is it the team that nearly upset Nebraska and bombed Buffalo or the team that laid an opening day egg against Miami and then last week crumbled against Central Michigan? The Cardinals seemed prime to take control of the MAC West but wilted under the unusual October heat in a 58-38 thrashing, allowing 658 yards of offense to the Chips as QB Dan LeFevour lit them up for 506 yards and six touchdowns. Nate Davis was made to look very ordinary, passing for a little over 200 yards. After this week's non-conference match up against FBS transitional member Western Kentucky, the Cardinals will hit the road for three straight weeks, including two games against Big Ten opposition (Indiana and Illinois). The Hilltoppers are playing their second MAC team this season, losing earlier in the year to Bowling Green, 41-21. Revenge is no doubt a motivating factor here with the Cardinals still steaming over that 13-0 shutout loss in 1929 to the Hilltoppers. Never underestimate the power of revenge.
Prediction: Ball State 31, Western Kentucky 21.


Western Michigan (2-4, 1-1 MAC) at Northern Illinois (1-5, 0-3 MAC), 4:00 pm ET
Site: Huskies Stadium
Series: Western Michigan Leads 20-11 (Last meeting: Western Michigan 16, Northern Illinois 14 in 2006).
Television: CSN Chicago
Outlook: Northern Illinois and Western Michigan were a combined 24 seconds of each claiming victory last week but suffered the equivalent of a devastating punch to the solar plexus in the closing seconds of their bouts and the question becomes which bloodied fighter can rise off the canvas and rally. The Broncos' finish against Akron was one for the ages and was the number one play on ESPN Sportscenter's Top Ten Plays of the Day as the Zips returned a kick 89-yards as time ran out to defeat WMU 39-38. It's not all bleak for the Broncos though as they are still undefeated in the MAC West and could claim a title by winning their remaining divisional games. QB Tim Hiller has settled in nicely and passed for 375 yards last week while WR Jamarko Simmons continues to have a superb season, leading the MAC with 9.17 receptions per game. But the Broncos still cannot stop anybody on the ground, surrendering a league-worst 223.5 yards per game and facing Northern Illinois' Justin Anderson is not likely to help their numbers. Anderson is averaging over 150 yards rushing in each of his last four games and tallied 163 yards rushing against Temple last week in the Huskies' 16-15 defeat at Temple which saw the Owls score their first-ever MAC win when Jake Brownell connected on a 39 yard field goal with nine seconds left. Normally automatic, PK Chris Nendick missed two PAT's last week for the Huskies. NIU will be without top receiver Britt Davis and may have to go with Ryan Morris at QB after starter Dan Nicholson was knocked out of the game last week. Either way, Nicholson or Ryan, the Huskies' pass offense has been miserable, throwing twelve picks and only six touchdowns. Trying to find a definitive reason to pick a winner in this game is akin to choosing between Roseanne Barr and Kathy Najimy. Even the paper bag test doesn't work.
Prediction: Western Michigan (Size) 22, Northern Illinois (Size) 20.


Bowling Green (3-2, 1-0 MAC) at Miami (3-3, 2-0 MAC), 3:00 pm ET
Site: Yager Stadium
Series: Miami leads 39-19-5 (Last meeting: Miami 9, Bowling Green 7 in 2006).
Television: FSN Ohio
Outlook: Bowling Green sophomore QB Tyler Sheehan got a strong dose of reality last week as he and the Falcons were picked apart by the Eagles, 55-24. Sheehan threw five picks against one of the nation's top defenses. Despite his struggles, Sheehan still tops the MAC, averaging 315.8 yards passing per game and in total offense with 321.6 yards per game. The Falcons' Corey Partridge is second in the MAC in receiving, averaging 8.5 catches per game which means Miami's talented linebacking corps of Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic will all be kept busy in medium and underneath pass coverage. Mullins is second in the MAC in tackles for a defense that spends more time on the field than Miami's offense. Last week Dan Raudabaugh relieved QB Mike Kokal and helped to guide the RedHawks to a 20-13 win over Kent State, throwing for 186 yards and a touchdown and will get the start Saturday against the Falcons. RB Cory Jones is also expected back in the lineup as the RedHawks will honor the memory of the late Terry Hoeppner by hanging a plaque in memory of the late coach in Yager Stadium's Cradle of Coaches. Former great Ben Roethlisberger will also be on hand as his number is retired while Montgomery and crew frantically look for a loophole to find more eligibility for Big Ben. The winner of this game remains undefeated in the MAC East and in control of its own destiny in the divisional race. The Falcons and RedHawks have traded victories on each other's home field the past two years. The trend continues.
Prediction: Bowling Green 27, Miami 16.

Army (3-3) at Central Michigan (3-3, 3-0 MAC), 3:30 pm ET
Site: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Series: Central Michigan leads 1-0  (Last meeting: Central  Michigan 14, Army 10 in 2005).
Television: Comcast Local
Outlook: Defending MAC champion Central Michigan suddenly has the appearance of once again being the MAC's top squad and has captured the inside track back to the MAC Championship Game by virtue of its 58-38 drubbing of Ball State last week. The Chips piled up 658 yards of offense behind sophomore QB Dan LeFevour's 506 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. They Chips also had a solid outing from RB Justin Hoskins, starting in place of injured Ontario Sneed. Hoskins may have supplanted Sneed as the starter regardless of Sneed's health status. The Chips though have not fared well out of conference, having been outscored by an average margin of 47-17 but have a chance to record their first out-of-conference win against an Army team that may be down to its third string quarterback, Kevin Dunn, who started last week's 20-17 overtime win over Tulane. Army head coach Stan Brock was playing coy however, not indicating whether first stringer David Pevoto or his backup Carson Williams, may be available for duty. Either way, the key will be for Central Michigan to stop the run as Army does not even like to pass the salt let alone the football. This could be the game where a healthy defense finally makes an impact for CMU as Army is ranked 115th in rushing and 90th in passing.
Prediction: Central Michigan 38, Army 24.


Temple (1-5, 1-2 MAC) at Akron (3-3, 2-0 MAC), 6:00 pm ET
Site: Rubber Bowl
Series: Temple leads 9-7 (Last meeting: Akron 25, Temple 15 in 1999).
Outlook: Somewhere in Akron, in the vicinity of the football program, somebody has an angel sitting on their shoulder. The Zips have been the absolute kings of miracle MAC comebacks with last week's thrilling 39-38 last second win over Western Michigan just being the most recent example. In 2006 the Zips pulled out a 20-17 win over North Carolina State on a last-second one-yard TD run; in 2005 the Zips captured the MAC Championship in a 31-30 win over Northern Illinois on a touchdown pass with ten seconds remaining and the year before that, in 2004, Akron scored 17 points in a span of two minutes to down Marshall 31-28.  It also helped last week that the Zips may have found a regular starter at QB in Chris Jacquemain who threw for 389 yards and four TD's while WR Jabari Arthur chipped in with a school-record 15 receptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Temple also was the beneficiary of some late game heroics, winning 16-15 last week over Northern Illinois when Jake Brownell connected on a 39-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining. The Owls failed to score an offensive touchdown in their historic, first-ever MAC victory, as Terrance Knightron recorded the Owls' only touchdown on a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Temple QB Adam DiMichele continues to be a steadying influence for the Owls offense and contributed 257 total yards. The Owls' defense has also shown marked improvement over last season and ranks second in the MAC, allowing 377.8 yards per game.
Prediction: Akron 45, Temple 17.

On Tap
The schedule for the week ahead: