There almost wasn't a MAC wrap up again this week. You have no idea how close you came to only getting one MAC wrap up in a three-week span. But my Fall Break plans changed and here we are.
I encourage you to savor this week's wrap up even more since it shouldn't even be here. But if not, I understand. You don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone.
Biggest winner: Northern Illinois
The Huskies had been something of an enigma this season. Northern Illinois blew a chance to beat Kansas on the road and had lost to Central Michigan, a loss that looks even worse now. But Northern Illinois reasserted itself as a MAC West contender with a decisive 51-22 win against Western Michigan. It was a game the Huskies needed to stay in the division race and a good confidence boost as they prepare to go on the road for three games.
Biggest loser: Kent State
The Golden Flashes just aren't very good this year. Kent State lost 9-3 at home to Miami to fall to 1-6 on the season. It's only win came against South Alabama and the Flashes are already 0-3 in the MAC. When Kent State parted ways with coach Doug Martin after seven years and hired former Ohio State wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell to replace him, I don't think this is what it had in mind.
What everyone's talking about: The West's superiority
Personally, I think this is something of a non-story. But this is about what other people are talking about, not what I'm talking about.
So far, the West is 7-1 in interdivision games this year. The lone East victory is, of course, Temple's 42-0 destruction of Ball State two weeks ago. Eight games is an incredibly small sample size, however. Central Michigan, so far the worst West team, has yet to play an East team, while Toledo, the West's best team, has already played two. Ball State is done with its East slate.
I don't see the East coming back to make this especially close, but it should even out somewhat. But if the West still has a .875 winning percentage against the East at the end of the season, well, that's a story.
Bowl talk
We're halfway through the season for every team in the MAC, so let's check out the bowl picture. I know it's really early, but with Ball State in the mix it's never too early.
The MAC has tie-ins with three bowls this year, and is the alternate for a fourth if Army doesn't become bowl eligible (which is looking increasingly likely). MAC senior associate commissioner Bob Gennarelli told Elton Alexander, who covers the conference for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the MAC could have as many as six bowls, but "four or five is probably more likely."
No teams have been eliminated yet, not even Kent State or Akron. Temple, with its 5-2 record, looks like a good bet in the East. There are six 4-3 teams in the MAC, including Ball State, and until they separate themselves, it's pretty hopeless to try and figure out who could wind up where.
But that's ok. Remember, it's early.
Official MAC Players of the Week
MAC West
Offense: Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish – 203 passing yards, 229 rushing yards
Defense: Toledo defensive back Desmond Marrow – 10 tackles
Special Teams: Ball State punter Scott Kovanda – averaged 46.7 yards per punt, three punts downed inside the 10-yard line in the fourth quarter
MAC East
Offense: Temple running back Bernard Pierce – 152 rushing yards, two touchdowns
Defense: Kent State defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix – six tackles, forced fumble
Special Teams: Bowling Green kick returner BooBoo Gates – 88-yard touchdown return
-Teddy
Teddy Cahill can be reached at edcahill@bsu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @tedcahill.
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