 Photo: Jim Klapthor
With MAC West champ Central Michigan, and MAC East winner Miami both owning overall records of 6-5 they each sit precariously on the edge of bowl eligibility. If either squad slips in their final game (Central Michigan travels to Akron while Miami closes on the road at Ohio), and finishes the regular season at 6-6, then the loser of their MAC Championship tilt on December 1 will be sitting home with a losing record. So both squads will be looking to take care of business this weekend and close with records of 7-5 and thus would be assured of making it to a bowl game.
Therefore plenty remains at stake heading into Thanksgiving weekend around the MAC.
Birds of Prey
A pair of other MAC squads will be interested observers in the outcomes of the games of the divisional winners while they themselves look to improve their own bowl prospects.
Bowling Green (7-4 overall) hosts rival Toledo Friday afternoon in a rivalry game with added meaning. The Falcons are currently the only MAC team guaranteed to finish the regular season with an overall winning record regardless of the outcome of their last regular season game, and a win at Toledo would make the Falcons a very attractive potential bowl participant at 8-4. With a strong finish to the regular season, Bowling Green could potentially find itself in either the Motor City Bowl (if Central Michigan loses its last two games) or the International Bowl. One thing that is for sure, the MAC will do everything it can to ensure that an 8-4 Bowling Green is not sitting home during bowl season.
In a similar situation, but not assured of a winning record without winning its season finale, the Ball State Cardinals (6-5 overall) could also find themselves bowl bound. A win on the road over Northern Illinois on Saturday would give the Cardinals a 7-5 overall record and, with one of the rising young stars on the collegiate scene, sophomore quarterback Nate Davis, and some tight losses against quality competition this season, the Cardinals, at 7-5, would also make for an attractive bowl team. Ball State's likely best hope to grab one of the MAC's guaranteed bowl slots would be for both Miami and Central Michigan to enter the MAC title game at 6-6 with one of the division winners dropping out of the bowl picture with a loss in the title game. In such a scenario, Ball State, even at 6-6, would find itself bowling, likely in Toronto.
Anybody Need a Fourth?
At best the MAC could finish the regular season with four bowl eligible teams if both Miami and Central Michigan win out. In this scenario, Ball State would need to win its final game to finish 7-5 and have a shot at an at-large bowl bid. Bowling Green too would be in a similar situation as the Cardinals if the Falcons drop their season finale to Toledo and finish 7-5 overall. If the Falcons win however Bowling Green can likely plan to be spending the holidays somewhere other than home. A loss though and they are potentially doing some backroom politicking along with Ball State in an effort to grab the MAC's International Bowl slot. Such a scenario assumes Miami heads to the GMAC Bowl while Central Michigan makes a return trip to the Motor City Bowl.
 But what about a potential fourth bowl? If an at-large MAC team is available with a 7-5 or better record (and this obviously would apply to either Bowling Green or Ball State) there is a slight chance of another bowl game becoming available and in need of an at large team if the stars align just right.
Just two weeks ago it appeared that Conference USA would have trouble filling its bowl slots. Strike that. They are set but the Texas Bowl may vey well be looking for an at-large team since the Big 12 will have two of its bowl eligible teams claimed by a BCS bowl. That would leave only Kansas State, currently at 5-6, with a chance to fill that bowl game's Big 12 slot. A loss by the Wildcats to Fresno State in their season finale means the Texas Bowl could come a-calling.
 Also bearing some watching is what happens in the PAC 10. If the PAC 10 secures two BCS bowl slots, either the Armed Forces Bowl or the Emerald Bowl could be looking for an at-large team. Currently the PAC 10 has clinched five of its seven bowl slots with two teams vying for the remaining slots. UCLA, currently at 5-5 and Arizona (5-6) both need to get to no worse than 6-6 to claim the PAC 10's bowl slots. A stumble by either will open one of the PAC 10's bowls to an at-large team.
But a word of caution. There will likely be other conferences with available 7-5 teams and the MAC, especially in the eyes of a Western bowl game, would be far down the pecking order. But things can change; just ask Northern Illinois which last year found its way to the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.
Ah, rumors and speculation; the fossil fuel of bowl season.
Where's my Advil?
Getting Stalked
 Add another trophy game to the list of MAC rivalries.
It may not be widely known, but the series between Ball State and Northern Illinois is actually one of the oldest among MAC schools. The rivals first met on the gridiron in 1941 and played continuously from 1973 to 1988. When they meet Saturday in DeKalb it will mark the eleventh straight season that the two teams have met and the 35th overall meeting with Ball State holding an 18-14-2 edge in the series.
According to an official release issued by Northern Illinois' Department of Athletic Communications, the newly designed rivalry trophy "will depict several cornstalks in tribute to the locales of both universities. DeKalb, Illinois and Muncie, Indiana are cities located just outside of the major metropolitan areas of Chicago and Indianapolis, respectively, which are famously surrounded by corn fields. The wooden base of the trophy will feature the Ball State Cardinals' logo on one side and the Northern Illinois Huskies' logo on the other."
The schools will officially begin competing for the new trophy (see inset) next season.
GAME PREVIEWS
Friday, November 23
Central Michigan (6-5, 5-1 MAC) at Akron (4-7, 3-4 MAC), 11:00 am ET
Site: Rubber Bowl
Series: Central Michigan leads 12-8-1 (Last meeting: Central Michigan, 24, Akron 21 in 2006).
Television: ESPNU
Outlook: Central Michigan's Swiss cheese defense finally caught up with the Chippewas last week as the Chips were upended by Eastern Michigan 48-45, thus putting Central Michigan in a near must-win situation in their Friday morning tilt at Akron. A loss at the Rubber Bowl would force Central Michigan to win their MAC Championship game against Miami on December 1 in order to go bowling. Scoring points has not been a problem for the Chippewas who continue to average over 44 points per game in MAC play and are paced by MAC Report Online's 2007 Offensive MVP, QB Dan LeFevour, who has accounted for 33 touchdowns this season and is also the team's leading rusher, with 706 yards on the ground. Keeping teams off the board has been a major issue however. Central Michigan owns the MAC's lowest-ranked defense, allowing 474.9 yards per game and their passing defense also ranks last, giving up 294.5 yards through the air per game. Over their last four games, CMU has allowed 45 points per game. The Zips however lived up to their name in terms of offense in their last game, getting shutout at Miami 7-0 which came one week after scoring 48 points in a 48-37 win over Ohio. The Zips, offensively, are on the opposite end of the spectrum from Central Michigan, ranking last in the MAC in total offense, averaging 310.6 yards per game and are tenth or worse in every offensive category in the MAC. Despite their offensive difficulties, the Zips do have a tremendous weapon in wide receiver Jabari Arthur who is third in the MAC with 1,060 yards receiving and Akron will be counting on Arthur to exploit an injury-riddled CMU secondary. Akron has been strong defensively all season and ranks fourth in the MAC overall defensively and possesses the MAC's third-ranked pass defense. This game will come down to quarterback play and the Chippewas have the clear edge here with neither Zips QB Chris Jacquemain nor Carlton Jackson having been able to provide any consistent offense this season for Akron. But Central Michigan's defense has the ability to keep any game close. We're picking the Chippewas but not with a lot of confidence. Prediction: Central Michigan 38, Akron 35.
Toledo (5-6, 3-4 MAC) at Bowling Green (7-4, 5-2 MAC) 2:30 pm ET
Site: Doyt Perry Stadium
Series: Bowling Green leads 36-31-4 (Last meeting: Toledo 31, Bowling Green 21 in 2006).
Television: ESPNU
Outlook: The Battle for the Peace Pipe Trophy resumes with Bowling Green hosting Toledo. The Rockets have won three straight against the Falcons but may be hard pressed to extend their streak to four games. Toledo had a three-game winning streak snapped last week in a 41-20 setback against Ball State and in the process lost starting quarterback Aaron Opelt to injury and will go with freshman D.J. Lenehan who has been pressed into duty previously this season but the Rockets' offense is not the same without Opelt at the helm. Lenehan and company may be hard-pressed to keep pace with a Bowling Green offense that is averaging 38 points per game over its last three contests, all wins. But the Rockets do possess one of the MAC's top rushing attacks, paced by Jalen Parmele who is second in the MAC with 1,429 yards rushing this season and is also second in the conference with 14 rushing scores. The Falcons have struggled all season to stop the run, allowing 218 yards rushing per game (12th MAC). The Rockets though have been allowing a MAC-worst 39.4 points per game and will be severely tested against the MAC's top-ranked passing offense. The Falcons pose a unique challenge to teams with quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who is second in the MAC, averaging 263.5 yards per game, and QB/WR/RB Anthony Turner who can at any time strike for a touchdown passing, receiving or rushing. Bowling Green is looking to solidify its bowl potential and finishing 8-4 would make them a very attractive bowl team. Playing at home, with bowl implications on the line and looking to snap a three-game losing streak to the Rockets who are starting a freshman at quarterback, all point to a Bowling Green victory.
Prediction: Bowling Green 41, Toledo 28.
Saturday, November 24
Buffalo (4-7, 4-3 MAC) at Kent State (3-8, 1-6 MAC), 1:00 pm ET
Site: Dix Stadium
Series: Kent State leads 8-7 (Last meeting: Buffalo 41, Kent State 14 in 2006).
Outlook: Both teams are playing out the string but looking to end the season on a positive note. After contending for a MAC East title in the first half of the season, the Bulls have dropped three of their last four games and out of contention for a MAC East title after consecutive losses to Miami and Bowling Green. Buffalo QB Drew Willy has had a very solid season and continues to top the MAC charts in passing efficiency while RB James Starks became the first Buffalo player in ten seasons to top 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. Bulls LB Trevor Scott is tied with NIU DE Larry English for the league lead with 9.5 sacks this season for a defense that ranks in the top five in rushing, scoring and total defense. Meanwhile the Flashes have been dealing with some major injury issues, particularly at quarterback where they were forced to start fourth-string QB Jon Brown in last week's 24-14 setback at Temple, their sixth loss in a row. This week the Flashes will have their number two quarterback, Anthony Magazu, back for the first time since he injured his ankle against Ohio State October 13. The Flashes offense was predicated on the running abilities of then-starting QB Julian Edelman (out for the season with a fractured arm) and tailback Eugene Jarvis. Magazu is a much more mobile QB than last week's starter, Brown, and the Flashes will be looking to re-start their rushing attack with Magazu under center. Last week Eugene Jarvis was held to a season-low 57-yards but he still tops the MAC with nearly 1500 yards rushing. KSU's defense has been consistent and ranks third overall in the MAC and is second overall in rushing defense. The Bulls had a nice run early in the season but have come back down to a bit of reality. They are still far better though than most anticipated this season while the Flashes are trying to end a disappointing season on a winning note. The Bulls are 1-5 on the road this season. Kent State squeaks out a win.
Prediction: Kent State 24, Buffalo 21.
Temple (4-7, 4-3 MAC) at Western Michigan (4-7, 2-4 MAC), 2:00 pm ET
Site: Waldo Stadium
Series: Western Michigan leads 5-0 (Last meeting: Western Michigan 41, Temple 7 in 2006).
Outlook: Talk about surprise teams. No matter what happens in the season finale for the Owls, 2006 will go down as their most successful season since at least 2002 which was the last time the Owls had four victories in one season. A fifth win would give Temple their most wins since going 6-5 in 1984. The Owls have had success this season on defense, ranking atop the MAC by allowing only 356.7 yards per game and also top the MAC in both passing and rushing defense. The Broncos on the other hand were picked by some to contend for a MAC West title this season but have not been a factor in the divisional race. Western Michigan did end a three-game losing streak last week by posting the MAC's top non-conference victory of the year with a 28-19 upset of Iowa as quarterback Tim Hiller tossed three touchdowns in a 367-yard passing performance. Wide receiver Jamarko Simmons tops the MAC averaging 7.55 receptions per game while multi-faceted tailback Brandon West has racked up 2,065 all-purpose yards this season, a new school record and third best so far in the MAC this season. Coming off a strong showing at Iowa and looking to send off their seniors on a good note in their last game, the Broncos should prevail with just enough offense against Temple whose own offense has struggled under the leadership of backup QB Vaughn Charlton, averaging just ten points per game in Charlton's three starts since taking over for injured starter Adam DiMichele.
Prediction: Western Michigan 27, Temple 13.
Miami (6-5, 5-1 MAC) at Ohio (5-6, 3-4 MAC), 2:00 pm ET
Site: Peden Stadium
Series: Miami leads 51-30-2 (Last meeting: Ohio 34, Miami 24 in 2006).
Television: WSFJ/Ohio Package
Outlook: The longstanding rivalry between the Bobcats and RedHawks takes on significant meaning with the RedHawks looking for a victory that will not only give them an outright MAC East title, but also allow them to enter their MAC Championship tilt against Central Michigan at 7-5 and guaranteed a bowl berth. A loss and Miami will have to win the MAC Championship to go bowling. The RedHawks own the MAC's number one scoring defense, allowing only 15.3 points per game in MAC contests this season and last week posted the MAC's only shutout, defeating Akron 7-0 when 2007 MAC Report Online Defensive Player of the Year, Clayton Mullins sacked Akron QB Carlton Jackson and DE Craig Mester recovered the ball for the game's only scoring play. Offensively, RedHawks' QB Daniel Raudabaugh was picked off three times in the end zone last week after throwing only two picks in his previous four games. Miami has been especially stout in MAC play on defense, topping the MAC in MAC-only games in rushing and passing defense but will be challenged by Bobcats' record-setting tailback Kalvin McRae who earlier this season became Ohio's all-time leading ground gainer, amassing over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career. Currently McRae is third in the MAC with 1,322 yards rushing. McRae also tops the MAC with 18 rushing touchdowns and is first in scoring with 114 points. Ohio won last year's battle but has not won back-to-back games against the RedHawks since winning three straight from 1982-1984. Over its last five games Ohio has scored an average of 35.6 points but surrendered 33.4 points on average during that same time span. This will be the best defense Ohio has faced in conference play. The Bobcats want to finish at .500. The RedHawks look to go into the championship game on a three-game winning streak.
Prediction: Miami 24, Ohio 20.
Ball State (6-5, 4-2 MAC) at Northern Illinois (2-9, 1-5 MAC), 4:00 pm ET
Site: Huskie Stadium
Series: Ball State leads 18-14-2 (Last meeting: Northern Illinois 40, Ball State 28 in 2006).
Television: CSN Chicago/Comcast Local
Outlook: The Cardinals can put themselves squarely in the center of serious bowl consideration with a victory over the Huskies Saturday. Northern Illinois however has won seven of the last eight meetings between these two with the visiting team winning the last three contests but the Cardinals appear to be hitting on all cylinders following their 41-20 victory over Toledo last week. Ball State QB Nate Davis tops the MAC in passing efficiency and has already tossed a Ball State single-season record 25 touchdown passes this season and two of his favorite targets, WR Dante Love and TE Darius Hill each occupy spots in the top ten in receiving in the conference this season. Northern Illinois is coming off a hard-fought 35-24 road loss to Navy last week as the Huskies limp to the finish line of a very disappointing season. One bright spot for the Huskies however has been the emergence of tailback Justin Anderson who is fourth in the MAC with 1,236 yards rushing. NIU will be going with backup quarterback Ryan Morris as starter Dan Nicholson is out with a concussion and a season-long shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined for the season finale. The Huskies own the MAC's lowest-ranked rushing defense, allowing 225.2 yards per game. Last week, Ball State's third string tailback, Chris Clancy, topped 100 yards rushing against Toledo. It's been a long year in DeKalb and the Cardinals should find pay dirt frequently against the Huskies.
Prediction: Ball State 42, Northern Illinois 27.
On Tap
The schedule for the week ahead:
Saturday, December 1 - MAC Championship
Miami vs. Central Michigan, 11:00 am ET - Detroit, MI (Ford Field)
|
