MAC Power Rankings: Week 11
It’s time to take CMU, Jonathan Ward very seriously.
It’s time to take Central Michigan very seriously. Moreover, it’s time to take Jonathan Ward very seriously.
That’s not to say criticisms against CMU’s football team were incorrect or unjust (although, that’s subject to what the critics’ claims are, but that’s besides the point). The Chippewas won their sixth game of the year last night in a 43–30 bout over Eastern Michigan for their third win in a row and be bowl eligible for the third year in a row.
In those three wins, CMU (6–4 overall, 4–2 Mid-American Conference) has looked like the teams of recent past which made them threats under Dan Enos. CMU now has a run game.
Ward, a true sophomore, has been electric in the last three games. After gaining 159 rushing yards against EMU, the second-best defense in the MAC, Ward’s showing that there’s more to come. After a quick look at his recent performance, one must wonder: Is Ward a sleeping giant in the MAC?
Through Week 11, Ward is fourth in the MAC with 74.9 rushing yards per game, behind Jarvion Franklin, Terry Swanson and A.J. Ouellette: Two seniors and a junior. He’s also sixth in the conference with 5.63 rushing yards per attempt, but he’s been much more difficult to stop more recently than he was in the beginning of the year.
In the first three MAC games against Miami, Ohio and Toledo, Ward had only 93 rushing yards and averaged 2.38 yards per carry. But in the last three weeks against Ball State, Western Michigan and EMU, Ward rushed the ball for 97, 130 and 159 yards, respectively, for 386 total yards on 50 carries: An average of 7.72 yards per carry.
Last week at Western Michigan, Ward gave quarterback Shane Morris some help with four receptions for 81 yards, ending with 213 all-purpose yards.
With Ward playing well down the stretch, the likelihood of CMU getting to seven or eight wins before bowl season looks good. Next week, CMU will play at Kent State on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tilt on ESPNU. The Chippewas are 3–0 in road MAC games this season with wins over Ohio, Ball State and WMU. After that, CMU will play the regular season finale against Northern Illinois, who beat up on Ball State 63–17 last night.
This week, I put CMU up at №2 ahead of Toledo and Northern Illinois. I know Toledo beat CMU 30–10 a few weeks ago, but if Terry Swanson’s injury ends up being long-term, then the Rockets could be in for an ugly stretch. Justin Coffin and Brandon Fitzsimons both put CMU at №4 and the Chips ended up tying with NIU at third place in our rankings.
More MAC musings:
- Ohio put the hurt on Toledo with a 38–10 victory, not allowing a touchdown in the second half. That Bobcat defense is legit.
- EMU quarterback Brogan Roback threw five interceptions against CMU, which really hurt the Eagles’ chances of taking the road win.
- Akron lost at Miami 24–14. Kato Nelson got his first start at quarterback for the Zips with Thomas Woodson suspended for violation of team rules. He was fun to watch for a while, but Miami’s secondary covered the receivers well and that ended up being the difference in the ball game.
- WMU pounded on Kent State. Jarvion Franklin is an excellent running back. He’s just out there taking victory laps at this point.
- Bowling Green’s defense is dreadful. For the sixth time this year, the Falcons allowed at least 500 yards as Tyree Jackson had over 400 passing yards for Buffalo to win 38–28.
WEEK 11 POWER RANKINGS
- Ohio (3 first-place votes), average rank 1
- Toledo, 2.33
- Central Michigan (tie), 3.33
- Northern Illinois (tie), 3.33
- Miami (tie), 5.67
- Western Michigan (tie), 5.67
- Akron, 6.67
- Buffalo, 8.33
- Eastern Michigan, 8.67
- Bowling Green, 10
- Kent State, 11
- Ball State, 12
