The talk of college football last year revolved around thesurprisingly tough Mid-American Conference. Many nationally rankedteams fell victims in 2003 as the upset firepower of the MACreceived much attention.
Things are completely opposite early on in 2004, as the MACappears to be fallen back. Currently, only three of the 14 teams inthe MAC have overall winning records. Those teams, Ohio, NorthernIllinois and Toledo, all hold 3-2 marks.
Here is a look at how all the teams in the MAC have performed sofar this year:
MAC East
Marshall (1-3, 1-0 MAC)
The Herd has lost three close non-conference games. Marshalllost at home to Troy 17-15 to start the season. It lost anationally televised game to Ohio State 24-21, before getting beatby Georgia 13-3. The lone win came last week at home against Miami,33-25. The Herd, which owns the best rushing defense in theconference and second-best scoring defense, faces Ohio today in theannual "Battle for the Bell."
Ohio (3-2, 1-1 MAC)
The Bobcats own the best scoring defense in the conference(18.8) as well as the best total defense (286.4 yards). They arecoming off a 28-16 upset win over Kentucky. Ohio dominated Buffalo34-0 at home for its lone conference win. The losses have both comeon the road -- against Pittsburgh (24-3) and Miami (40-20).
Miami (2-3, 1-1 MAC)
The 2003 MAC champions are not off to a great start, but have anoffense capable of putting up points. The RedHawks rank fourth inthe MAC in points (30.0) and put up 49 against Indiana State. Thenon-conference losses came to Cincinnati and Michigan.
Akron (1-4, 1-1 MAC)
The Zips enter play with a lone win coming against archrivalKent State, 24-19. Akron has been shutout twice, (Penn State,Virginia) and has the third worst offense and defense in theleague. The Zips most recent loss came at Northern Illinois in alopsided 48-18 contest.
Buffalo (1-4, 1-2 MAC)
After breaking a four-game losing streak to start the season,the Bulls look for consecutive wins as they face Akron today.Buffalo has the worst pass offense in the conference (138.0), butracked up 440 offensive yards in its win against Central Florida.The 48 points scored against UCF was the highest for a Buffalo teamsince becoming Division I-A in 1999.
UCF (0-4, 0-1 MAC)
The Golden Knights are the only team in the conference yet towin a game. The three UCF non-conference losses came against No. 21Wisconsin, No. 10 West Virginia and Penn State. The Golden Knightsown the second worst scoring offense (14.8) and allow the mostpoints defensively (41.0).
Kent State (1-4, 0-2 MAC)
Although the Golden Flashes have only come up with one win,their last three losses have come by eight points or less. The mostrecent defeat came at the hands of Central Michigan, who knockedoff Kent State 24-21. A key reason for the losses by the GoldenFlashes is turnovers. KSU has committed 13 turnovers.
MAC West
Northern Illinois (3-2, 2-0 MAC)
Winners of 10 consecutive home games, the Huskies attempt to getthe first road win of the season today at Central Florida. NorthernIllinois leads the MAC in rushing offense, racking up 195.6 yardsper game. Three different backs have rushed for 100 yards in agame. The two conference wins came against Bowling Green (34-17)and Akron (49-19).
Toledo (3-2, 2-0 MAC)
The Rockets are on a roll, scoring 139 points in winning theirlast three games. None of Toledo's five games have been close, asall but one has been decided by 28 points or more. The Rockets rankfourth in the nation in passing yards per game (325.6) and lead theMAC in total offense (459.2). However, Toledo ranks dead last inthe conference in total defense (476.6).
Central Michigan
The Chippewas (2-2, 1-0 MAC) homecoming is today as they hostBowling Green. Central Michigan features a running game headed byMAC-rushing leader Jerry Seymour. The sophomore is averaging 101.8yards per game, which is seven yards better than second place. Bothof the Chippewas' wins have come at home (Kent State, SoutheastMissouri State).
Ball State (1-4, 1-1 MAC)
The Cardinals will look to pick up another conference win todayagainst Eastern Michigan. Ball State is last in the MAC in scoringoffense (14.6) and pass defense (289.6). When the Cards are able tomake it to the red zone, they score 90.9 percent of the time, topsin the league. Dante Ridgeway leads the conference in 103 yardsreceiving per game. Senior Reggie Hodges leads the MAC in puntingaverage (43.8).
Eastern Michigan (1-4, 1-1 MAC)
After two consecutive non-conference losses, the Eagles returnto MAC action to face Ball State. EMU narrowly beat Buffalo, 37-34,to start the year and has lost four straight, with the last twocoming by a combined seven points. The Eagles rank second-to-lastin the conference in scoring defense (40.2). EMU is led by juniorquarterback Matt Bohnet, who is ranked 10th in the nation in totaloffense (285.2).
Bowling Green (2-2, 0-1 MAC)
The 2003 MAC West champion Falcons travel to Central Michigantoday for the fourth road game on the season. BGSU is coming off animpressive performance against Temple, winning 70-16. The Falconslead the MAC in scoring 40 points per game while allowing the thirdlowest average on defense (25). Sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobsleads the MAC and is fourth in the country in total offense(311.5).
Western Michigan (1-3, 0-1 MAC)
The Broncos have dropped three straight games, all coming on theroad. The most recent loss came against Ball State in a 41-14contest. The lone WMU win came against Tennessee-Martin (42-0).
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