2019 MAC Football Power Rankings Week Three: The Huskies are Back on Top
Despite a loss to Utah, NIU looked most like a MAC champion in week two. Western Michigan tumbles down the rankings by looking completely lost against MSU, and a three-way tie at the bottom of the MAC pretty much sums up the start to the 2019 season.
Free on Saturday’s Week Three Power Rankings
1. Northern Illinois Huskies (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 2
Week Two Result: Loss @ Utah 35–17
Week Three Opponent: @ Nebraska (Line: Nebraska -14)
Can the Huskies upset Nebraska for the second meeting in a row? If they turn in a first half like they did against Utah in week two there’s certainly a chance. The Huskies regain the top spot in the MAC doing what they always do, but this time with an even better quarterback. The offense is still going to be a bit limited compared to the MAC’s top units, but it doesn’t appear this will be a team that will limp to 21 points each week and place all hope on its defense. If you’re not sound, the Huskies will score.
2. Ohio Bobcats (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 1
Week Two Result: Loss @ Pittsburgh 20–10
Week Three Opponent: @ Marshall (Line: Marshall -5.5)
A 10-point loss at a power five school isn’t all that bad on its face, but considering how Ohio’s offense is supposed to be playing with Nathan Rourke under center, Saturday’s performance opens the door to a ton of questions. The broadcast seemed to think Rourke was under the weather, and if that’s the case, maybe the Bobcats can take a mulligan on this one.
T3. Toledo Rockets (0–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 5
Week Two Result: Bye
Week Three Opponent: Murray State
Toledo climbs a couple spots without playing, mostly due to Western Michigan’s implosion in East Lansing and Eastern Michigan’s less impressive performance against the same Kentucky Team the Rockets put a bit of a scare into in week one. We won’t learn much more about the Rockets this week beyond Mitchell Guadagni’s health, but it will be good to see Jason Candle’s team back in action.
T3. Buffalo Bulls (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: T6
Week Two Result: Loss @ Penn State 45–13
Week Three Opponent: @ Liberty (Line: Buffalo -5)
How do the Bulls move up two spots after losing 45–13? Well, consider that they out gained Penn State on the evening and held the ball for a vast majority of the game, exactly as they intended. If not for a brutal 28-point third quarter from the Nittany Lions, we might be talking more about Buffalo as a MAC title contender.
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: T2
Week Two Result: Lost @ Kentucky 38–17
Week Three Opponent: @ Illinois (Line: Illinois -7.5)
The Eagles are going to feature a lot of Mike Glass this season, that much is apparent. Glass threw the ball 53 times against Kentucky in order to make up for a disappointing ground attack, to little success on the scoreboard. The Eagles have a shot against an Illinois team that looks, dare I say, pretty okay?
6. Miami RedHawks (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: T6
Week Two Result: Won vs. Tennessee Tech 48–17
Week Three Opponent: @ Cincinnati (Line: Cincinnati -17)
Miami is Ball State’s cousin in the East. Is there anything worth trusting until the middle of October? The RedHawks ensured there were no questions about their ability to handle an FCS school at home, and that’s a good thing headed into a game against an extremely tough Cincinnati team that is probably a bit angry about being manhandled in the Horseshoe on Saturday.
7. Western Michigan Broncos (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: T2
Week Two Result: Loss @ Michigan State 51–17
Week Three Opponent: vs. Georgia State (Line: WMU -9)
Relative to program expectations, WMU had easily the worst or second worst performance of the weekend in the conference. 51 points to an offense virtually everyone agrees has struggled, is struggling and will continue to struggle until the end of time? Not great!
8. Ball State Cardinals (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: T6
Week Two Result: Won vs. Fordham 57–29
Week Three Opponent: Vs. FAU (Line: FAU -2.5)
It’s tough to trust Ball State under Mike Neu, but the results are pretty encouraging thus far. The Cardinals handled Fordham soundly and Drew Plitt really does look like an upgrade at quarterback over even the best version of Riley Neil.
9. Kent State Golden Flashes (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 9
Week Two Result: Won vs. Kennesaw State 26–23 (OT)
Week Three Opponent: @ Auburn (Line: Auburn -35)
If you’re going to cancel a field hockey match so you can shoot off fireworks for a noon game against Kennesaw State in September, you sure as hell better win. Kent State goes to Auburn next, so we’ll hold off on judgement for another week or so.
T10. Akron Zips (0–2)
Last Week’s Rank: 12
Week Two Result: Loss vs. UAB 31–20
Week Three Opponent: @ Central Michigan (Line: Central Michigan -3)
All things considered, not a bad outing for the zips, though UAB is definitely showing to be much weaker than a year before.
T10. Bowling Green Falcons (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 10
Week Two Result: Loss @ Kansas State 52–0
Week Three Opponent: Vs. Louisiana Tech (Line: Louisiana Tech -10.5)
Ah yes, the Bowling Green from week one turned back into a pumpkin.
T10. Central Michigan Chippewas (1–1)
Last Week’s Rank: 11
Week Two Result: Loss @ Wisconsin 61–0
Week Three Opponent: Vs. Akron (Line: Central Michigan -3)
The Chips’ week two game against Wisconsin was a game of unspeakable horrors. It will not be discussed in this or any forum until we are completely sure a pulling guard from Wisconsin is not lurking, ready to pancake us into the dirt.
