2018 MAC Power Rankings Week 13: The stuffing came early last week
Ball State holding WMU out of the end zone to win? Ohio putting off the Buffalo MAC East celebrations for a week (or more)? Miami upending NIU? What is this world?!
Editor’s Note: Because we have two voters, we can have weird situations like where we disagree so vastly on the top four that all four teams tie for first. We won’t apologize.
Free on Saturday’s Week 13 Power Rankings
T-1. Buffalo Bulls
Last Week’s Rank: 1
Week 12 Result: Loss @ Ohio 52–17
Buffalo can take solace in the fact that last year’s MAC Champion also went to Athens, Ohio on a weeknight and got clobbered. The East isn’t decided, but Anthony Johnson, Tyree Jackson, and that stable of running-backs should be able to blitz Bowling Green en route to Detroit. If not, we may be talking about the biggest collapse in recent MAC history.
T-1. Northern Illinois Huskies
Last Week’s Rank: 2
Week 12 Result: Loss vs Miami 13–7
I’m willing to hear arguments about how the Miami game didn’t mean anything for the Huskies after Western Michigan choked away the last shot at the West division in Muncie the night before. However, I have serious concerns about NIU’s ability to move the ball against defenses that are worth a damn. That said, NIU is safely in Detroit next week, and can beat down a defeated Bronco team to cement its place as Best MAC West Team in 2018.
T-1. Miami RedHawks
Last Week’s Rank: 3
Week 12 Result: Win @ Northern Illinois 13–7
Remember when Chuck Martin was dead in the water before his team ripped off an improbable 6-game win streak to get bowl eligible? That was two years ago. Chuck is back on his bullshit again, with back-to-back upsets against two of the teams his team is tied with in these rankings, and is a win over Ball State away from doing an even more improbable 3-game win streak to get bowl eligible.
T-1. Ohio Bobcats
Last Week’s Rank: 4
Week 12 Result: Win vs Buffalo 52–17
Completely decimated Buffalo to hold off the Bulls’ MAC East Title celebrations for at least a week. The Bobcats are probably the best team in the MAC, but did Ohio things (again) and need two unlikely outcomes and a win to get to Detroit. Still, a revenge game and a nice bowl are in line, and Nathan Rourke will continue to spread his gospel across this great nation.
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles
Last Week’s Rank: 5
Week 12 Result: Bye
The Eagles are coming off a bye week and get Kent State. Similar to Ohio, Eastern probably should be in Detroit, but that Ryland miss in OT against NIU was a back-breaker. Worse yet, the Eagles also happened to face Western Michigan on the one day of the year the Broncos decided defense was not optional. Still, a second bowl berth in three seasons means Chris Creighton is building a solid foundation for this program to compete in the near future.
6. Toledo Rockets
Last Week’s Rank: 6
Week 12 Result: Win @ Kent State 56–34
Ho-hum thrashing of a rebuilding Kent State team to get bowl eligible. The Rockets really put this one away in the 3rd, but were never truly threatened. Almost gave up 500 yards, but this was a game that Toledo could clearly do whatever it wanted on offense, so it didn’t matter. A lay-up against Central Michigan and then a bowl game should get some more experience for [insert whoever is QB this week].
7. Ball State Cardinals
Last Week’s Rank: 8
Week 12 Result: Win vs Western Michigan 42–41 (OT)
Drew Plitt is the MAC West Player of the Week and Mike Neu has his first win in November as a head coach. These are crazy times. The Redbird Rivalry is up next, and if the Cardinals can upend Miami (and deny the RedHawks a bowl game), then there is some definite positive momentum heading into 2019. Another thing to watch? Justin Hall has yet to record a touchdown on the year!
8. Western Michigan Broncos
Last Week’s Rank: 7
Week 12 Result: Loss @ Ball State 42–41 (OT)
When you lose to a bad team in OT because you’re stopped well short on a two-point conversion, it sucks. When you go for it because your defense has been utterly awful despite only playing 18 game minutes, you fire someone. Tim Lester followed the math and did just that, ousting defensive coordinator Tim Daoust (Daousting?) the day after the loss. If you’re keeping score at home, Lester himself is now 1–8 outside of Saturday, so he’s still getting used to this whole MACtion thing. NIU up next with the chance to….well, get to 7 wins?
9. Bowling Green Falcons
Last Week’s Rank: 11
Week 12 Result: Win @ Akron 20–6
Back-to-back wins over noted offensive stalwarts Central Michigan and Akron have the Falcons looking their usual November selves: beating bad teams and trending upwards towards the off-season. Carl Pelini has a serious case to make to stay as head coach in Bowling Green, with the defense looking much better and keeping the recruiting going.
T-10. Akron Zips
Last Week’s Rank: T-9
Week 12 Result: Loss vs Bowling Green 20–6
Good news: Kato Nelson is back. Bad news: Kato Nelson is pretty much immobile meaning teams can bring the heat and get to him before the sub-par skill positions can create room to make plays. While still able to get bowl eligible, Ohio and South Carolina should both be able to handle this team to end this odd, odd year in which Akron lost the MAC East, but won the Big Ten West.
T-10. Kent State Golden Flashes
Last Week’s Rank: T-9
Week 12 Result: Loss vs Toledo 56–34
Sean Lewis is definitely trending upwards. Kent State has been competitive, if not well disciplined at times. Another recruiting cycle or two to shore up that defense and give Woody Barrett more experience should produce results and get Kent State into a position to contend. For now, the Flashes will be fodder for the team whose blueprint they’re trying to replicate: Eastern Michigan!
12. Central Michigan Chippewas
Last Week’s Rank: 12
Week 12 Result: Bye
Central Michigan had a week to think about its worst season ever. A tough trip to Toledo will kick-off a very long off-season for Bono and Company.
