 |
#1 Central Michigan: I caught the first Quarter of the game from the Milwaukee Airport, the chips managed seven touchdowns in the time it took a plane to go across one state line. If any team is going to derail the chips its going to have to be on the back of a solid defense, offensively nobody can keep up with Dan LeFevour. |
 |
#2 Temple:.Just what the doctor ordered after last weeks near disaster against Miami. Pierce sat the 4th quarter with a shin injury but (per owlscoop) he left the field on his own power. They are going to need him healthy their last two games against Kent and Ohio. Both teams still have designs on the Eastern division. |
 |
#3 Northern Illinois: It would be a stretch to say NIU was lucky to beat the cardinals (they took the lead for good at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter) but they were out gained in the ground and in the air but their defense and special teams won the field position battle and that was the difference. NIU has probably the hardest remaining schedule in the MAC (Ohio and CMU) should they win either game they are a sure thing for a bowl. |
 |
#4 Ohio: Its a good thing their offense showed up because Buffalo dropped 450 yards on their defense. Ohio is going to need that offense next week against NIU. Right now both the Bobcats and Huskies control their own destiny thats probably not going to be true after next week. |
 |
#5 Kent State: The week off could not come at a better time for Kent they get to lick their wounds from the fiasco against Akron and prepare for the most meaningful game of the season (in terms of winning the division. |
 |
#6 Bowling Green: Finally free of the Miami-Whammy that ha haunted falcon teams of late Bowling green is now just one win away Bowl eligibility and, unbelievably, back in the hunt for the Eastern division (though they need would need enough help to warrant a live aid concert). All the Falcons have to do is keep their eye on the ball for the next two games against two teams they should beat and Clawson gets them to a bowl in year one. |
 |
#7 Western Michigan: Beating up on EMU is not going to buy the Bronco's anything. But as underwhelming as beating the Hapless Eagles might be 5-6 keeps them in line for bowl eligibility (not that 6-6 will likely get them a Bowl). With 10 day s to prepare for Ball State 6-6 is a likely finish. |
 |
#8 Buffalo: Nothing left for the Bulls to do but play spoiler. Aside from Temple and Pitt their losses have been by an average of four points, their past three losses have been by a total of seven points. This is a team that has to relearn how to win close games. |
 |
#9 Toledo: Toledo has crossed over into the teams that are 'technically' in the running for a Bowl but right now they are behind CMU, NIU, Ohio, Temple, Bowling Green, Kent, and perhaps even WMU. Toledo can still look forward to spoiling Bowling Greens chances at a bowl in two weeks. |
 |
#10 Ball State: The Cards, like UB, have been on the cusp all season of beating just about anyone they play. Only Auburn and Bowling green had convincing wins over BSU but they face the class of the MAC this week and CMU has not made a habit of letting up on the gas this season. |
 |
#11 Akron: Just when it looked like Akron was getting its act together the Owls hand the Zips a first quarter lead and then go on to score 49 unanswered points. The Zips went 40 minutes without a drive longer than sixteen yards and gave up touchdowns on five straight drives. |
 |
#12 Miami: They looked good in the first half but Dysert and the Hawks fell apart as the game went on. Miami still has a good shot at getting a second win this season next week when Buffalo has to travel to Oxford. |
 |
#13 Eastern Michigan: The Eagles are down to their final two chances for a win. Given how bad their pass defense has looked right now 0-12 is the expected result. Not a great first season for Coach English but it's not like he had a ton to work with. |
Filed under: