 With four conference games on the schedule Saturday in the Mid-American Conference, things will begin taking shape for several teams hoping to make some noise in the MAC this season.
But, while there are still several non-conference games remaining, we thought it would be a good time to take a quick look at how the MAC has performed in its rugged, non-conference schedule through the first two weeks.
So, what was the biggest surprise so far? Bowling Green knocking off Pittsburgh was probably the signature early-season non-conference win when the Falcons defeated the 25th-ranked Panthers on the road, 27-17 in week one. Close behind though has to be Buffalo's opening night demolition of UTEP, 42-17, one of Buffalo's biggest wins since moving up to 1A. We'll also give a tip of the hat to Akron's 42-28 win over Syracuse since any road win over a BCS squad is worth noting.
The biggest disappointment? Bowling Green checks in again with their turnover-filled home opener flop against Minnesota. The Falcons came in riding high off of their win over Pitt and were favored over the Gophers who barely escaped an opening night scare by slipping past Northern Illinois 31-27 at the Metrodome. With a rare packed house in attendance the Falcons fumbled and bumbled their way to a 42-17 home loss in front of a national TV audience. Ouch.
Let's breakdown the MAC's non-conference performance thus far against the other conferences:
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ACC
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0-1
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Mountain West
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0-1
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Big East
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2-2
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Pac 10
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0-1
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Big Ten
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0-6
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SEC
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0-2
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Big 12
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0-2
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Independents
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2-0
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Conference USA
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1-0
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FCS
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3-0
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Home: 5-2
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Away: 3-12
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Neutral: 0-1
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Obviously, a little homecooking goes a long way.
Best in the Nation
The MAC has plenty of representation at or near the top of the NCAA individual statistic charts this week.
Miami punter Jake Richardson paces the NCAA averaging a phenomenal 51.6 yards per punt so far this season. Richardson is one of only two punters to average better than fifty yards per punt along with. Brandon Geyer of Air Force, who has the advantage of kicking in the rarified air of Colorado Springs. Geyer is averaging 50.2 yards per punt.
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| Ball State WR Dante Love |
Also sitting at the top of the charts after two weeks is Bowling Green defensive end Diyral Briggs who leads the NCAA with five sacks, already matching his total from last season.
Dante's Inferno: But the one player in the MAC whose name appears several times in the top ten in the national rankings is Ball State wide receiver Dante Love, who, after two weeks, is emerging as a contender for MAC Offensive Player of the Year, especially if he keeps up his torrid pace. Love's name appears no fewer than four times in the top ten among the nation's leaders while currently also topping the MAC in receiving yards per game, all-purpose yards, and scoring.
MAC players currently ranked in the top ten nationally:
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Passing Efficiency
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Receptions/Game
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4. Nate Davis, Ball State 217.0
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3. Dante Love, Ball State 9.0
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Receiving Yards/Game
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All-Purpose Yards/Game
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2. Dante Love, Ball State 168.0
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2. Dante Love, Ball State 264.5
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9. Nate Palmer, Northern Illinois 124.0
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8. Brandon West, Western Michigan 204.1
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Passing Yards
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Scoring
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10. Nate Davis, Ball State 616
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6. Dante Love, Ball State 15.0
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Punting
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Punt Return Yards/Game
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1. Jake Richardson, Miami 51.6
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4. BJ Hill, Ball State 30.0
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Kick-off Return Yards/Game
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Tackles/Game
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9. Bryan Williams, Akron 37.7
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5. Derek Burrell, Kent State 12.5
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Sacks
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Tackles For Loss/Game
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1. Diyral Briggs, Bowling Green 5.0
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4. Clayton Mullins, Miami 2.5
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10. Frank Zombo, Central Michigan 2.5
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4. Diyral Briggs, Bowling Green 2.5
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| Buffalo QB Drew Willy |
Overlooked?
Coming into the season, much of the quarterback discussion centered around a core of junior MAC signal-callers, led of course by Dan LeFevour and Nate Davis. But a couple of other signal-callers are emerging in the MAC that may have been flying under the radar of all but the most astute MAC observers.
Buffalo's Drew Willy is one of only two senior starting quarterbacks in the MAC this season and is on the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Willy recently had a streak of 284 straight completions without an interception that was broken only when Willy launched a desperation pass in the waning moments of Buffalo's 27-16 loss to Pittsburgh. So far
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| Akron QB Chris Jacquemain |
this season Willy has tossed five touchdowns and only the one interception and earned MAC Report Online's Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading the Bulls to their 42-17 opening night win over UTEP. Dating back to last season Willy has now tossed twenty touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
But Willy isn't the only MAC quarterback who is having a potential breakout season. Akron's junior signal-caller Chris Jacquemain has started strongly this season as well. Through the Zips' first two games, including last week's win at Syracuse, Jacquemain has matched Willy's numbers, throwing five touchdowns and only one interception. Last season Jacquemain tossed eleven touchdowns and ten interceptions while appearing in eleven games. Jacquemain was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week for his 260 yard, three touchdown performance against the Orange.
Upon Further Review
The early part of the season sometimes can be a bit misleading. Teams that were thought to be strong can suddenly look very ordinary while teams that were not thought to be contenders can surprise the so-called experts.
Such may be the case when looking at a couple of early-season MAC opponents.
Not that bad? When Miami dropped its opener to Vanderbilt it left many people scratching their heads. The Commodores after all were coming in with a completely rebuilt offensive line, had lost several starters at the skill positions and had not settled on a quarterback. Miami meanwhile was returning a solid defense and was hosting the Commodores in a season-opener so when Vandy dominated the RedHawks in a 34-13 triumph, the questions centered around Miami.
But upon further review, maybe Miami's loss was not as bad as it nearly appeared after Vanderbilt went out and upset a ranked South Carolina squad and now sits 2-0 and is a sleeper pick in the powerful SEC. Sure Miami still has to figure out how to cross the goal line, but it appears that Vanderbilt was severely underestimated coming into the season.
Not that good? On the flip side potentially is Temple's 35-7 win over Army. The Owls' opening night victory was considered one of the MAC's highlights in week one and considering Temple's struggles in the recent past, the road-win over Army appeared to be an indication that Temple was on its way after scoring a big win over the Cadets thanks in part to Army's largesse, which the Owls took full advantage of in downing Army.
But upon further review, how bad is this Army team? After getting blown out by Temple the Cadets fell hard in week two to FCS-member New Hampshire 28-10, a loss that prompted Army head coach Stan Brock to comment "I'm embarrassed…I'm ashamed…I apologize to the United States Military Academy, Corps of Cadets, anybody really who watched that game." While New Hampshire is one of the better FCS teams, Army's performance does take a little of the starch out of Temple's opening night win.
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| Knowshon Moreno hurdles CMU's Vince Agnew |
Duck!
It is not likely that many members of the Central Michigan Chippewas left Athens last Saturday with happy memories following the Chips' 56-17 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, but none are probably more anxious to forget about the game than sophomore defensive back Vince Agnew.
While it could be said that the Bulldogs ran over the Chips, Georgia tailback Knowshon Moreno took it to a literal level when he really did run over Agnew, hurdling the Chips defender in one of the more spectacular plays of the early season.
Thankfully though for CMU and Agnew ESPN somehow missed it and did not include it in its top ten plays of the week.
Of course we could not pass up the chance to run a cool photo of the play in question. Sorry Vince.
Question To Ponder
Okay, inquiring minds want to know..
In Bowling Green's 42-17 loss to Minnesota, the Falcons committed no fewer than five turnovers in self-destructing in their home opener. But we are trying to figure out how sophomore tailback Willie Geter was not able to hold on to the ball.
Geter was reinstated prior to the Minnesota game after missing the opener against Pittsburgh following his alleged involvement with two other players in using a stolen credit card, raising the question: How can a player with such (alleged) sticky fingers not hold onto the ball?
Maybe raised lettering on the football would help in providing a better grip?
Congressional Bowl now the EagleBank Bowl
For those that missed it, the Washington, DC based bowl game formerly known as the Congressional Bowl has secured a sponsor, EagleBank, and will be played on December 20, 2008 with a Noon kickoff slated for ESPN. For more details on the bowl game's announcement, click here.
On to this week's games:
GAME PREVIEWS
Saturday, September 13
Temple (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1), Noon
Site: UB Stadium
Series: Buffalo leads 11-1. Last meeting: Buffalo 42, Temple 7 in 2007.
Television: ESPN Plus/MAC Game of the Week
Outlook: Both Buffalo and Temple come into the game following road losses to Big East squads. The Owls dropped a heartbreaking 12-9 overtime decision to Connecticut in a driving rain in Philadelphia last week after holding the Huskies off the scoreboard until late. The Owls also come in with the MAC's number one scoring and pass defense but have been vulnerable to the run, allowing 251.5 yards rushing in their first two contests while themselves struggling with a ground game that is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry…The Bulls come in after a 27-16 road loss at Pitt. Buffalo presents a balanced offensive attack, averaging 222 yards passing and 194 yards rushing per game. Bulls' QB Drew Willy has tossed five touchdowns while RB James Starks tops the MAC in rushing, averaging 138 yards per game. The Bulls also own the MAC's top-rated rushing defense, allowing only 89 yards per game.
Prediction: Buffalo 27, Temple 17.
Toledo (0-1) at Eastern Michigan (1-1), Noon
Site: Rynearson Stadium
Series: Toledo leads 24-11. Last meeting: Toledo 52, Eastern Michigan 28 in 2007.
Outlook: Toledo was the last team in the MAC to open the season, traveling out west to face Arizona and coming away with a 41-16 loss. The Rockets owned the MAC's leakiest defense last season, giving up 460 yards per game and after their opening night loss to Arizona find themselves near the bottom of the MAC again after allowing 452 yards to the Wildcats. Offensively however the Rockets also struggled, crossing the goal line once but a bright spot was the play of WR Stephen Williams who caught 12 passes, including the Rockets' sole TD. Toledo PK Alex Steigerwald connected on all three of his FG attempts and has now converted 18 straight. Toledo OL Jared DeWalt will be sitting out the second game of a two-game suspension…Eastern Michigan fell to Michigan State 42-10 last week after opening the season with a 52-0 win over Indiana State. The Eagles currently own the MAC's top offense, averaging 489.5 yards per game, including averaging 270 yards per game on the ground, also tops in the MAC and the only MAC team averaging better than 200 yards on the ground. EMU's rushing attack is led by TB Terrence Blevins who is averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Blevins rushed for 54 yards on only nine carries in EMU's loss to Michigan State. The Eagles also rank second in the MAC in total defense…Toledo has won six of the last seven meetings but dropped a 17-13 decision to EMU in its most recent visit to Ypsilanti in 2006.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 34, Toledo 31.
Ball State (2-0) at Akron (1-1), 1:00 pm
Site: Rubber Bowl
Series: Ball State leads 10-7-1. Last meeting: Ball State 23, Akron 17 in 2005.
Outlook: It could be an offensive showcase Saturday in Akron as Ball State's top ranked MAC scoring offense visits Akron, the MAC's #4 offensive squad. The Cardinals are the MAC's only undefeated team after defeating Navy at home last week. BSU WR Dante Love leads the conference in all-purpose yards and receiving yards per game and is coming off of a 336 all-purpose yard performance against Navy that earned him MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors. BSU QB Nate Davis meanwhile paces the MAC's top-ranked passing attack with a league-leading 308 yards passing per game. Davis has thrown seven touchdowns in the Cardinals' first two contests and ranks fourth in the nation in passing efficiency. The Cardinals are also getting it done on the ground behind TB MiQuale Lewis who is third in the conference with 104.5 yards per game. The Cardinals' offensive line has been solid as well and has not allowed a QB sack so far this season…The Zips evened their record at 1-1 with a win last week at Syracuse, 42-28. QB Chris Jacquemain secured MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors after passing for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the Zips win over the Orange. Akron's rushing attack has also been productive this season, averaging 144 yards per game on the ground with RB Dennis Kennedy appearing to have returned to his 2006 form, averaging 6.5 yards per carry in gaining 124 yards so far this season. The Zips' pass defense has allowed only 105 yards per game but has not faced a potent passing attack this season, and rank last in the MAC in stopping the run, giving up 311 yards per game.
Prediction: Ball State 38, Akron 30.
Central Michigan (1-1) at Ohio (0-2)Site: Peden Stadium
Series: Central Michigan leads 19-4-2. Last meeting: Central Michigan 31, Ohio 10 in 2006 MAC Championship Game.
Outlook: The Chippewas and Bobcats will be meeting for the first time since CMU downed the Bobcats in the 2006 MAC title game, 31-10. The Chips have won four straight MAC openers but have not prevailed in Athens since 1994...CMU is coming in after a 56-17 setback to Georgia. QB Dan LeFevour has been consistent but has not had a breakout performance yet in the early going. LeFevour has passed for 467 yards and five touchdowns through the first two games of the season which is still more than respectable. WR Bryan Anderson currently owns a thirty-game streak of catching at least one pass in each game and is currently fourth in the MAC in receiving. The Chips are still having issues in the secondary, a carryover from last season, and are allowing 245 yards passing per game…Ohio is 0-2 but gave Ohio State all it could handle last week in a 26-14 loss to the Buckeyes. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, starting QB Theo Scott was lost for a minimum of 6-8 weeks after suffering a broken collarbone. With Scott sidelined, the Bobcats will turn to highly-touted JUCO transfer QB Boo Jackson who struggled in his debut in relief of Scott, throwing for only 86 yards and three interceptions. Look for the Bobcats to try to get RB Chris Garrett and Donte Harden some more carries to take some of the load off Jackson. Harden had 63 yards rushing against Ohio State, including a 15-yard TD but the Bobcats have struggled to move the ball on the ground, averaging 92 yards rushing per game….Notable: The winning team has scored at least 30 points in CMU's last 23 contests.
Prediction: Central Michigan 31, Ohio 26.
Delaware State (1-0) at Kent State (0-2), 2:00 pm
Site: Dix Stadium
Series: Kent State leads 1-0. Last meeting: Kent State 38, Delaware State 7 in 2007.
Outlook: Kent State will be playing its first game at Dix Stadium this season and will also be looking for its first win after last week's 48-28 loss to Iowa State in what turned into a (very unfunny) comedy of errors for the Flashes. Kent State turned the ball over four times and had two punts blocked, overshadowing a solid performance from TB Eugene Jarvis who rushed for 139 yards in addition to 60 yards receiving. The Golden Flashes have not the started the season with three straight losses since 2000 when KSU lost its first five games on its way to a 1-10 finish and are currently riding a nine-game losing streak dating back to last season…FCS-member Delaware State opened the season with a 35-28 win over Florida A&M and are coached by Al Lavan who was interim head coach at Eastern Michigan for the final three games of the 2003 season, going 2-1 in his short tenure. The Hornets are defending MEAC champs and are led by TB Chris Strother who rushed for 139 yards in the Hornets' season debut and dual-threat QB Vashon Winton who passed for 178 yards and one touchdown as well as 78 yards and four touchdowns on the ground against Florida A&M.
Prediction: Kent State 35, Delaware State 10.
Western Michigan (1-1, 1-0 MAC) at Idaho (1-1), 4:00 pm
Site: Kibbie Dome
Series: Western Michigan leads 1-0. Last meeting: Western Michigan 27, Idaho 16 in 1976.
Outlook: Western Michigan heads westward for the second time in three weeks, traveling to take on Idaho after opening conference play last week with a 29-26 win over Northern Illinois. The Broncos have been the beneficiary in the early going of a steady offensive attack led by QB Tim Hiller who has passed for five TDs and ranks second in the MAC, averaging 264 yards passing per game. Western Michigan tailback Brandon West is also having a solid start to the 2008 campaign, averaging 102 yards rushing per game and ranks eighth nationally, averaging 204.1 yards in all-purpose yards per game. Defensively, DB Louis Delmas earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording ten tackles and his tenth career interception against the Huskies however the Broncos have been susceptible to the pass this season, allowing a MAC-worst 321 yards per game through the air…Idaho comes in after snapping an 11-game losing streak by defeating in-state rival Idaho State, 42-27 in its home opener behind a three touchdown performance by QB Nathan Anderle after opening the season with a 70-0 loss to Arizona. The Vandals have lost 16 straight games to FBS (1A) teams dating back to the 2006 season.
Prediction: Western Michigan 45, Idaho 23.
Charleston Southern (0-2) at Miami (0-2), 3:00 pm
Site: Yager Stadium
Series: First Meeting
Outlook: Miami is still looking for its first win after dropping a 16-6 decision to Michigan last week. The RedHawks used a solid defensive effort in keeping the Wolverines within striking distance. Miami's pass defense has limited opponents to 97 yards per game, second in the MAC, but ranks 10th in stopping the run, allowing 296 yards per game but the bulk of that came in the RedHawks' opening season loss to Vanderbilt. LB Clayton Mullins ranks fourth in the nation in tackles for loss but the RedHawks continue to struggle on offense, scoring only one touchdown in the first two games and averaging a paltry 9.5 points per game. QB Daniel Raudabaugh rebounded from a tough opening week performance, passing for 191 yards before being knocked out of the game. Raudabaugh is expected to be available for Saturday's game but Clay Belton could see some playing time as well. Missing however from the Miami lineup will be starting FS Jordan Gafford and OL Bob Gulley…Charleston Southern is 0-2 after opening the season with a 52-7 loss to Miami (Fla) and then falling last week 41-23 to Wofford. The Bucs, who play in the Football Championship Subdivision, are paced by QB Tribble Reese who has passed for 331 yards and two touchdowns this season. CSU's rush defense is ranked 102nd in FCS, allowing 329 yards per game.
Prediction: Miami 31, Charleston Southern 7.
Bowling Green (1-1) at Boise State (1-0), 8:00 pm
Site: Bronco Stadium
Series: Boise State leads 1-0. Last meeting: Boise State 48, Bowling Green 20 in 2005.
Television: ESPN Game Plan
Outlook: Will the real Bowling Green Falcons please stand up? The Falcons failed to follow up on their opening week upset of Pitt when they dropped a home decision to Minnesota last week, 42-17 thanks to five turnovers. Normally the Falcons would have several offensive players among the MAC leaders but this season the defense has been a pleasant surprise, ranking third in the MAC in rush defense, allowing 146.5 yards per game while DL Diyral Briggs tops the nation with five quarterback sacks but the Falcons will need their pass defense to step up against Broncos on the blue turf (not to mention have their offense not cough up the ball) to keep pace…Boise State though could be a little rusty, having not played since opening with a 49-7 win over Idaho State on August 30. In that game the Broncos passed for 352 yards and rushed for another 230 yards in steamrolling Idaho State. Senior TB Ian Johnson rushed for 87 yards and one touchdown in the Broncos' season opener and with 3,550 career yards, ranks second among all active players nationally. Boise State is 3-2 all-time versus the MAC, posting a 2-2 mark against Central Michigan and 1-0 against Bowling Green (2006) but more noteworthy, the Broncos are 59-2 at home since the 1999 season with their only losses in that time coming against Washington State in 2001 and Boston College in the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl.
Prediction: Boise State 41, Bowling Green 24.
On Tap
The schedule for the week ahead:
Saturday, September 20
Ohio at Northwestern, Noon
Central Michigan at Purdue, Noon
Temple at Penn State, Noon
Akron at Army, 1:00 pm (ESPN Classic)
Eastern Michigan at Maryland, 1:00 pm
Indiana State at Northern Illinois, 2:00 pm
Kent State at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 pm
Tennessee Tech at Western Michigan, 7:00 pm
Ball State at Indiana, 7:00 pm
Miami at Cincinnati, 7:30 pm
Fresno State at Toledo, 8:15 pm (ESPNU) |
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