2018 MAC Power Rankings Week 12: The MAC Championship is just about set
Butt games and divisional separation last week means that our top two teams are nearly set to square off in Detroit
Free on Saturday’s Week 12 Power Rankings
1. Buffalo Bulls
Last Week’s Rank: 1
Week 11 Result: Win vs Kent State 48–14
Buffalo remains at the top following a complete beat-down of Kent State on Tuesday night in the worst possible conditions. How bad was it? Well, Tyree only finished with 111 yards because the wind and rain made it difficult to throw. That said, nine(!) different Bulls carried the ball in a game that was over by halftime.
2. Northern Illinois Huskies
Last Week’s Rank: 2
Week 11 Result: Win vs Toledo 38–15
The Huskies put away Toledo in the MAC West race on Wednesday with a convincing win at home. The magic number for them is 1, with only sputtering Western Michigan team having a chance at the division. The defense continues to carry the team, but Marcus Childers, Tre Harbison, and the Huskie offense is starting to find its rhythm at the right time.
3. Miami RedHawks
Last Week’s Rank: 5
Week 11 Result: Win vs Ohio 30–28
It was a weird night for Miami. On one hand, they finally beat rival Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks thanks to a stout defense and a very impressive first half offensively. On the other hand, you have the offense completely idling down in the 2nd half, and Chuck Martin losing his mind over fans and the lack of trophies. Still alive for a bowl, the RedHawks have to win back-to-back trophy games to get eligible. Someone tell Martin these games mean something.
4. Ohio Bobcats
Last Week’s Rank: 3
Week 11 Result: Loss @ Miami 30–28
Well, the Bobcats had to come back down to Earth at some point, right? It sucks that it had to be against Miami, pretty much handing the MAC East title to Buffalo. Louie Zervos will be wishing he had that 29-yard field goal miss back for a while, but the team must turn the page with Buffalo coming into town. A win keeps the Bobcats alive, but they need help from…Bowling Green.
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles
Last Week’s Rank: 6
Week 11 Result: Win vs Akron 27–7
You know who might be the most underrated coach in the MAC? Chris Creighton. The man hasn’t gotten EMU to consistent contender status yet, but the Eagles are poised to go bowling for the second time in three years after an absurd defensive showing against Akron. They held the Zips to 90 yards total, and the only score they allowed was on a punt return. This defense is legit.
6. Toledo Rockets
Last Week’s Rank: 4
Week 11 Result: Loss @ Northern Illinois 38–15
The Rockets had plenty of chances in the first half against NIU, but couldn’t capitalize before the Huskies hunkered down. Eli Peters looked a little off, and the Rockets will not be defending their MAC Title this year. Still, with Kent State and Central Michigan left, the Rockets should get bowl eligible, and that offense is fun to watch when healthy and clicking.
7. Western Michigan Broncos
Last Week’s Rank: 8
Week 11 Result: Bye
Is Tim Lester coaching for his job on Tuesday night? Probably not, but Tim Daoust probably is. If the Broncos want any hope at the MAC West title, it starts with a convincing win against the Cardinals.
8. Ball State Cardinals
Last Week’s Rank: 9
Week 11 Result: Bye
Is Mike Neu coaching for his job on Tuesday night? Probably. The Neu Era is a lowly 2–18 in October and November with one of those wins being a 1 point squeaker against Central Michigan earlier this year. It could be time for a change after no apparent progress over three seasons.
T-9. Akron Zips
Last Week’s Rank: 7
Week 10 Result: Loss @ Eastern Michigan 27–7
Do you think Akron misses Kato Nelson? After competing with NIU for three quarters, the Zips have had a dismal five quarters with Alex Ramart at QB, albeit against decent defenses. That said, if you have 90 total yards against any team after 60 minutes, you have to look in the mirror and wonder what is systematically going wrong.
T-9. Kent State Golden Flashes
Last Week’s Rank: 10
Week 11 Result: Loss @ Buffalo 48–14
Kent State failed to repeat its Election Night performances in the rain at Buffalo, getting repeatedly ran over in a blow-out loss. A 10-loss season is probable with Toledo and Eastern Michigan left, but this is a team that repeatedly gave teams scares throughout the season, and Sean Lewis has this team trending the right direction.
11. Bowling Green Falcons
Last Week’s Rank: 12
Week 11 Result: Win @ Central Michigan 24–13
In the Butt Game of the Year, the Falcons came out flat before pulling out all of the trick plays in the playbook. Fake punt? Check. 30 yard onside kick? Check. Double end-around fake pass to the tight end? You betcha. Fake field goal up 11 to try and ice the game? Oh hell yes, even though it failed. The Falcons’ defense held Central Michigan to 29 yards in the second half, and that is impressive as hell, even if the Chips’ offense is abhorrent.
12. Central Michigan Chippewas
Last Week’s Rank: 11
Week 11 Result: Loss vs Bowling Green 24–13
Central Michigan had never lost 10 or more games in a season until this one. A loss, at home, on Senior Day, to Bowling Green is the cherry on top to an awful year. Had Maine not lost its starting QB in the first quarter of their match-up, we might even be talking about an 0-fer season. That said, a bye week before a Black Friday trip to Toledo gives John Bonamego’s squad a chance to regroup and find an offense that can move the ball.
