MAC Notes and Nick’s Picks
November 18th, 2008 by Nick Gerogosian
MAC Notes:
- Ball State continues its rankings in this week’s major polls. In the Associated Press poll, BSU is No. 14, No. 16 in the USA TODAY Coaches’ poll, and No. 17 in the BCS rankings.
- Two teams can secure their spot in the Marathon MAC Football Championship game with a win this week. In the East Buffalo clinches a berth if the Bulls can win Friday night at Bowling Green. A Falcons win would keep BGSU and Akron in contention for first place. In the West, a victory by Central Michigan would vault the Chippewas into the championship game for the third year in a row. A Ball State win would keep the door open for the Cardinals, as well as CMU and Western Michigan.
- Of the 40 conference games played thus far in 2008, 20 have been decided by seven points or less, with 15 of those 40 by four points or fewer in the final margin.
- Buffalo grabbed sole possession of first place in the East Division with its 43-40 (4 overtime) win at Akron Thursday night. The game was the last ever played at the Rubber Bowl as the Zips will move to an on-campus stadium in 2009. The contest was the second longest in league history, one period shy of the five-overtime game in 2005 when Ball State beat Western Michigan 60-57. The 2004 game of Eastern Michigan 61, Central Michigan 58 also went four overtime periods.
- CARDS CONTINUE THEIR CLIMB – Ball State continues its rankings in this week’s major polls. In the Associated Press poll, BSU is No. 14 this week, No. 16 USA TODAY Coaches’ poll, and No. 17 in the BCS rankings.
- CHANGES AT TOLEDO – On Nov. 3 Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz announced that he will step down from his current position effective the end of the season. Amstutz, who has been involved at UT as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach for 33 years, will assume a position with the University as director of special projects in the Alumni Relations Office beginning in January. Amstutz’s squads have compiled an overall record of 57-40 and a conference slate of 38-23 with two games left in the season, his eighth as head coach. He guided UT to MAC Championships in 2001 and 2004, and to bowl games in 2001-02 and 2004-05.
- STREAKS AND SUCH – Ball State has won 12 consecutive regular season games dating back to last year … this year’s 10-0 Cardinals team is off to the school’s best start ever in the FBS (I-A) era and best overall since the 1965 BSU squad went 9-0 … Toledo is 0-4 at home this season with both of its overall wins on the road in the state of Michigan (Eastern Michigan and Michigan) … Buffalo became the first MAC East team to win four games in a row this year as last week’s win over Akron … Bowling Green, the preseason East Division favorite, won its first home game of the season on Nov. 1, defeating Kent State … The Falcons have handed Big East contender Pittsburgh (6-2) its only non-conference loss … Temple has lost three games this year (Buffalo, Connecticut, Navy) on the last play of the game.
- MAC HISTORY – Western Michigan’s win over Illinois gives the MAC four regular season wins over Big Ten opponents, setting a league mark. The previous record of three wins was set in 2000 (Ohio over Minnesota, Toledo over Penn State and Western Michigan over Iowa). Also claiming victories this year are Ball State and Central Michigan over Indiana, and Toledo against Michigan. In 2003 the MAC also claimed three wins over Big Ten teams with two of those (Bowling Green over Purdue and Miami against Northwestern) in the regular season and one (Bowling Green over Northwestern) in the Motor City Bowl.
- SACK MAN – Northern Illinois Larry English, with a 1.5 QB sacks vs. Central Michigan Oct. Nov. 12, upped his career total to 29.5. That total puts him fifth all-time in MAC history. Next on the list is Joel Smeenge of Western Michigan with 34 from 1986-89. The all-time mark is 38 by Jason Babin of Western Michigan (2000-03).
MAC Matchups – Games for Tuesday, November 18
Northern Illinois (5-5, 4-3 MAC) at Kent State (3-7, 2-4 MAC) – 7:00
SITE: Dix Stadium (25,000/Field Turf) – Kent, Ohio
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: NIU leads 14-7 … the Huskies have won the last three meetings, the most recent a 27-20 triumph last year in DeKalb … KSU’s most recent victory was in 2001 in Kent, 44-34.
COACHES: NIU-Jerry Kill (5-5, first season at school; 109-62, 15th season overall); KSU-Doug Martin (17-38, fifth season).
GAME NOTES:
Northern Illinois and its top rated MAC defense will try and put the stops on the talented Golden Flashes duo of QB Julian Edelman and TB Eugene Jarvis … the Huskies are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after losses to Ball State and Central Michigan … the Flashes have won two of their last three games and have averaged 42 points and 502 yards of total offense per game in those three games … NIU has allowed just 18.7 ppg this season … Huskies DE Larry English has 10.5 tackles for a loss for minus 60 yards, both the second highest total in the MAC … Edelman has five consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards … in KSU’s 41-38 win over Temple, Edelman had three TDs and 144 rushing yards, and 232 passing yards with one TD toss … Edelman is the 12th QB in FBS (I-A) history with 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards, and the 25th QB with 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards passing in the same season … NIU has held seven of its first 10 opponents to 13 points or less … in the Huskies loss to CMU, Chandler Harnish passed for 288 yards … the Huskies fought back from a 30-6 third quarter deficit to send the CMU contest to overtime … Mike Salerno placed two onside kickoffs that were both recovered by Mike Sobol to key the comeback.
Nick’s Pick: Northern Illinois 21 – Kent State 18
Comment: Something has to give tonight as Kent State is one of the best rushing teams in the MAC versus a NIU defense that is one of the best against the run. The Huskies are still playing for a possible bowl bid and need this game more than the Golden Flashes. While KSU does have a team more talented than their record indicates, they have been a hard luck team for two-straight seasons losing several nail-biters. This could be another potential Kent State win that gets away.
MAC Matchups – Games for Wednesday, November 19
No. 14/16 Ball State (10-0, 6-0 MAC) at Central Michigan (8-2, 6-0 MAC) – 7:00
SITE: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,253/Field Turf) – Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
TELEVISION: ESPN2/ESPN HD (Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard)
SERIES RECORD: CMU leads 21-18-1 … the Chippewas have won the last four meetings, including a 58-38 contest last year in Muncie … BSU’s last win came in 2003 in Muncie, 27-14. … the first meeting came in 1939, and the series has been continuous since 1977.
COACHES: BSU-Brady Hoke (32-37, sixth season); CMU-Butch Jones (16-8, second season).
GAME NOTES:
Central Michigan can secure the West Division spot in the Dec. 5 Marathon MAC Championship game with a win against Ball State, as the Chippewas already hold a win over Western Michigan … Ball State can secure the championship game berth with a win over CMU, and either a win next week vs. Western Michigan, or a CMU loss to Eastern Michigan … this game matches up two of the nation’s top rated QBs in passing efficiency … BSU’s Nate Davis is eighth at 168.00 (189-277, 2,647 yards, 20 TDs, 6 int.) and CMU’s Dan LeFevour is 24th at 141.6 (171-254, 1,808 yards, 13 TDs, 3 int. in 8 games) … LeFevour also has 450 rushing yards and five TDs … the Cardinals also feature the MAC’s rushing touchdown leader in MiQaule Lewis who has 17 scores via the ground … Lewis ranks second in the league in rushing at 127.3 ypg … BSU leads the MAC in scoring offense (37.6 ppg), scoring defense (15.4 ppg), total offense (461.0 ypg), net punting (38.2), pass efficiency (168.5), pass efficiency defense (106.2) and third down conversions (51.9 pct.) … CMU’s Frank Zombo leads the MAC in sacks (11) and tackles for a loss (13.5), and Nick Bellore in tackles per game (10.7) … the Chippewas have won six games in a row, the programs longest winning streak since its last six game victory streak in 1994 … the program’s most recent seven-game winning streak came with wins in the last three games of 1983 and first four games of 1984 under College Football Hall of Fame Coach Herb Deromedi.
Nick’s Pick: Ball State 28 – Central Michigan 24
Comment: The two best teams in the MAC collide in what should be an epic and historic game. Ball State is a path that may lead them to a BCS bowl while Central Michigan is closing in on their third straight MAC title, something that hasn’t been done since Marshall pulled the trigger in the late 1990s. Both teams have prolific quarterbacks and offenses but don’t be surprised if the defenses don’t step up and play big. Ball State is looking to make amends after getting blown out at home last season against the ‘Chips. Picking against Central at home is a dangerous one.
MAC Matchups – Games for Friday, November 21
Buffalo (6-4, 4-2 MAC) at Bowling Green (5-5, 3-3 MAC) – 6:00
SITE: Doyt Perry Stadium (24,000/Field Turf) – Bowling Green, Ohio
TELEVISION: None.
SERIES RECORD: BGSU leads 4-1 … the Falcons have won the last four meetings … Buffalo’s first-ever conference win as a MAC member came on Sept. 23, 2000, in a 20-17 win over BGSU.
COACHES: UB-Turner Gill (13-21, third season); BG-Gregg Brandon (43-29, sixth season).
GAME NOTES:
Buffalo can secure a berth in the Marathon MAC Championship game with a win over BG … the Falcons must win this game to stay in the division race … the Falcons remain in contention for the East Division title and a berth in the league’s championship game after their 28-3 win at Ohio (Nov. 8) … the last two games (Kent State, Ohio) the Falcons’ defense has held the opposition scoreless in the first half … BG’s defense allowed a season low 229 yards of total offense at Ohio and is led by DL Diyral Briggs (7 sacks, 10.5 tfl) … Tyler Sheehan threw for two scores and was also on the receiving end of a 22-yard TD pass from Andrew Beam … it was Sheehan’s third career TD via a reception … BG’s game vs. Buffalo is its final home contest for 2008 … the Bulls are on a four-game winning streak, the program’s longest since joining the FBS (I-A) level in 1999 … UB has played three overtime games and six overtime periods this year, compiling a 2-1 OT record (W vs. Army and Akron; a L to Western Michigan) … the Bulls are the first MAC team to ever play three overtime games in a single season … the Bulls have averaged 35 ppg during their current winning streak and can offer the league’s top rusher in James Starks at 128.5 ypg … QB Drew Willy has just four interceptions in 325 attempts this year, completing 206 passes for 2,348 yards and 18 TDs … Naaman Roosevelt is second in the MAC in receptions (68) and receiving yards (954) … UB leads the MAC in turnover ratio at +1.3 per game.
Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 31 – BGSU 20
Comment: The Bulls are on a collision course for their first bowl game in their program’s history. The Falcons have not played well at home but did put up a good defensive performance against Ohio last week. UB’s rushing game will prove to be too much for BG.
Miami (2-8, 1-5 MAC) at Toledo (2-8, 1-5 MAC) – 7:00
SITE: Glass Bowl (26,248/NeXturf) – Toledo, Ohio
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 27-20-1 … this is the first meeting since the 2004 MAC Championship game at Ford Field, a 35-27 Toledo victory … Miami won the most recent regular season meeting, 23-16, also in 2004 … Miami has won the last four regular season meetings.
Coaches: MIA-Shane Montgomery (17-29, fourth season); UT-Tom Amstutz (57-40, eighth season).
GAME NOTES:
The Rockets return home for the final two games of the season and in the head coaching career for Tom Amstutz … UT has dropped four consecutive games since beating Michigan on Oct. 11 … the RedHawks have lost three straight since an Oct. 18, 27-20 win at Bowling Green … Miami’s Daniel Raudabaugh returned to the starting lineup last week in a loss to Ball State and completed 24-of-42 pass attempts for 254 yards … in the process Raudabaugh became the sixth QB in school history to pass for over 4,000 career yards (4,277) … he replaced Clay Belton (shoulder injury) who had started the previous three games … Miami’s Thomas Merriweather ranks seventh in the MAC in rushing (60.8 ypg) … Toledo’s Aaron Opelt has completed 61.8 pct. of his pass attempts with just five interceptions in 330 attempts … the Rockets are 0-4 at home this season (Fresno State, FIU, Ball State, Central Michigan) … last week UT jumped to a 7-0 lead at Western Michigan before falling 27-17 … WR Nick Moore (10 rec., 97 yards at WMU) and Stephen Williams (6 rec., 94 yards, 1 TD) both have 67 receptions this season, the third highest total among league players …freshman Morgan Williams led the Rocket running attack with 83 yards at WMU.
Nick’s Pick: Toledo 23 – Miami 21
Comment: Shockingly both teams, each with excellent football histories and MAC championship trophies on the mantel, limp into this contest at 2-8. Toledo’s defense and special teams have been awful this season while Miami has struggled to score points. Toledo’s Tom Amstutz has just two games left at Toledo before his resignation takes affect while Miami’s Shane Montgomery may be shown the door too at seasons end. It’s hard to believe Toledo has yet to win a home game this season after winning 90% of their contests in the Glass Bowl from 2000 through 2006. Of all of Nick’s Picks this week, this one may be the weakest link.
MAC Matchups – Games for Saturday, November 22
Eastern Michigan (2-8, 1-5 MAC) at Temple (3-7, 2-4 MAC) – 1:00
SITE: Lincoln Financial Field (68,532/Natural Grass) – Philadelphia, Pa.
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: Temple leads 3-0 … this is the first meeting ever with Temple as a MAC member … the Owls won the last meeting 49-40 in 2000 … all previous meetings (1993, 1996 and 2000) have been at Temple.
COACHES: EMU-Jeff Genyk (15-41, fifth season); TU-Al Golden (8-26, third season).
GAME NOTES:
The Eagles dropped a Nov. 1 game at Western Michigan, 31-10, for its fourth consecutive loss and will be playing for the first time since that game (21 days) … Andy Schmitt passed for 272 yards … senior Terrence Blevins came into 2008 with no career TDs but has tallied 10 touchdowns on 556 rushing yards this season … Jacory Stone has been a bright spot for the Eagles … Stone currently ranks fourth in the MAC in receiving yards per game (69.5) … senior LB Daniel Holtzclaw is the current all-time active career leader in tackles with 416 … Temple is coming off a 41-38 loss at Kent State, the Owls fifth loss this season by six points or less … Jason Harper had career-highs with 10 receptions for 209 yards and was five yards shy of the school record … Harper, who was a tailback last fall, also grabbed his first two scoring passes of his career … in his last two games, Adam DiMichele has completed 38-of-57 attempts for 622 yards, six TDs and just one interception… Travis Shelton bolted for a 92-yard TD on a kickoff at KSU to extend his school record to 2,410 yards on kickoff returns … Shelton’s score also gave Temple a 24-21 lead after trailing 21-3 … two Owls have personal streaks intact as C Alex Derenthal has started 45 consecutive games and WR Bruce Francis has a pass reception in 36 consecutive contests.
Nick’s Pick: Temple 23 – Eastern Michigan 10
Comment: Temple has a real shot at a 5-7 season, something to celebrate along Broad Street as Al Golden’s building project continues to slowly progress forward. EMU has been a hard luck team most of the season and doesn’t have the offense to match Temple’s skilled defense.
Akron (5-5, 3-3 MAC) at Ohio (2-8, 1-5 MAC) – 3:30
SITE: Peden Stadium (24,000/Field Turf) – Athens, Ohio
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: Akron leads 12-11-1 … since the Zips began MAC play in 1992, they hold a 9-7 advantage over the Bobcats … the schools have split the last two meetings … Akron won last year 48-37 … the Bobcats won in 2006, 17-7 … the home team has won the last three meetings.
COACHES: UA-J.D. Brookhart (26-31, fifth season); OU-Frank Solich (21-26, fourth season at school; 79-45, 10th season overall.).
GAME NOTES:
The Bobcats dropped their third game in a row Nov. 8 vs. Bowling Green … junior QB Brandon Jones played in relief of Boo Jackson in the second half and completed a career best seven pass attempts for 92 yards, also a career high … Jackson had completed only 6-of-16 attempts for 96 yards and suffered two interceptions … sophomore RB Vince Davidson also etched a career high with his 66 rushing yards … the Bobcats failed to reach the end zone for the first time since Nov. 15, 2005, in a 27-3 loss at Akron … the Zips are coming off a four-overtime 43-40 loss to Buffalo … Akron must win to stay in the East Division race … Dennis Kennedy scored a career-high four touchdowns while rushing for 142 yards on 26 attempts and gaining 121 yards on five receptions … Kennedy is averaging 104.5 ypg rushing on the season and his 1,045 yards make him the 11th player in school history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season … Kennedy has 754 yards and nine touchdowns in the last four games … Akron will have to win on the road to become bowl eligible as the Zips close out the season at Ohio and at Temple (Nov. 28) … QB Chris Jacquemain has thrown for 729 yards with seven TDs and just one interception the last three games.
Nick’s Pick: Akron 33 – Ohio 24
Comment: This game will come down to “want-to.” Akron will “want-to” win this game more since they still have an outside shot at a MAC bowl game while Ohio is barely staying afloat. The Zips may surprise all preseason publications and finish with a winning season.
IDLE THIS WEEK
Western Michigan (9-2, 6-1 MAC)
Next Game: Nov. 25 at Ball State, 6 pm
The Broncos defeated Toledo, 27-17, Nov. 22 as freshman Aaron Winchester stepped in to provide 204 all-purpose yards … Winchester had 111 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards and 71 kick return yards in place of Brandon West … WMU has nine wins in a season for just the third time in school history and first time since 2000 … Jamarko Simmons has 92 receptions, joining Greg Jennings as the only Broncos to reach that number … Tim Hiller has a league-leading 33 TD passes, which ranks seventh in MAC history … WMU finished its home schedule a perfect 6-0, going 5-0 at Waldo Stadium for the 10th time in program history, third time this decade and second time under Bill Cubit … WMU defeated Toledo for the third year in a row for the first time since doing so in 1976, 1977, 1978 … WMU’s four-year win total (2005-08) of 29 is second only to the win total from 1997-2000 (31) in program history.
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