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2008 Week #7 MAC Football Recap

Week #7 MAC Notes:

• Ball State won its first game ever as a ranked team, 24-7 at Western Kentucky. Listed at No. 25 of the Associated Press poll last week, the 7-0 Cardinals are idle Saturday and play next Oct. 25 when hosting Eastern Michigan.
• BSU is the first MAC team since Bowling Green on Nov. 14, 2004, to be ranked in the AP top 25.
• Toledo’s win at Michigan marked the first-ever triumph for a MAC school vs. the Wolverines in 25 games. It also snapped a Rockets three-game losing streak. UT’s lone touchdown came on a 100-yard interception return by Tyrell Herbert for a 7-0 lead.
• At the Big House, Rockets’ WR Nick Moore tied a MAC record with 20 receptions. Moore’s performance equals the outing of 20 catches by Eastern Michigan’s Kenny Christian in 2000 vs. Temple.
• Western Michigan’s overtime win at Buffalo was the fifth overtime game involving a MAC team this year and second in conference play. Since 1995, there have been 45 games that went into overtime with 24 of those taking place in conference games.
• The MAC is 11-10 in non-conference overtime games, which includes a 2-0 bowl record in extended contests.
• Eleven of the 19 conference games played thus far in 2008 have been decided by seven points or less, with nine of those 19 by four points or fewer in the final margin.
• The MAC West is 10-0 versus the MAC East thus far.
• Nick’s Picks were 5-3 this weekend; 51-15 (77%) year to date.

Toledo @ Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Michigan 55 – Toledo 21

Actual Score: Toledo 13 – Michigan 10

Comment: “The Rockets are playing with no heart and no emotion. Even though this is a very bad team by Michigan standards and previous Rocket teams (1999-2005) would have had a real chance to beat this year’s UM squad, the 2008 Rockets are far too unglued to be much of a factor.”

Actual: Wow – we were certainly wrong here. Toledo did play with passion and beat up Michigan on both sides of the ball. Where has this team been within the past three seasons? We tip our hat to Toledo’s Tom Amstutz and the entire Rocket football program for providing the most unlikely of non-conference wins ever. Michigan had been 24-0 lifetime against MAC schools and this was certainly not one of Toledo’s strongest teams coming into this contest 1-4.

Eastern Michigan @ Army

Nick’s Pick: EMU 26 –Army 24

Actual Score: Army 17 – EMU 13

Comment: ” Army played well against a very bad Tulane team last week to notch their first victory. EMU seemed to get back on to the road to recovery with a nice win at BG. Look for the Eagles to make the MAC 3-0 against Army this season.”

Actual: Well perhaps Buffalo can beat Army this week to give the MAC 3-1 record versus the Black Knights of the Hudson. EMU led 13-7 at the half but could not get any offense going in the 4 th quarter to seal the deal. EMU has never beaten a IA team on the road.

Ohio @ Kent State

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 35 – Kent State 30

Actual Score: Ohio 26 – Kent State 19

Comment: “Don’t be surprised if both teams combine for five or more turnovers in this contest. In the end, Ohio seems to have their act together more so than KSU right now. From a fan standpoint, this should be a very entertaining contest.

Actual: Ohio’s Barrett Way tied a school-record with four field goals while KSU’s Julian Edelman had 136 rushing yards and 200 yards passing in what turned out to be a very entertaining game. The teams combined for five turnovers.

Miami @ Northern Illinois

Nick’s Pick: NIU 30 – Miami 10

Actual Score: NIU 17 – Miami 13

Comment: “The Huskies are back folks. While a MAC title is not in the mix this season, a winning record certainly will be.”

Actual: At 3-3, the Huskies have already surpassed their win total from a year ago (2). Miami’s only TD came on Eugene Harris’ 63-yard punt return.

Western Michigan @ Buffalo

Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 28 – Western 27

Actual Score: Western 34 – Buffalo 28

Comment: “This should be ‘the MAC game of the week.’ UB is playing very good football and is probably the best team in the east division right now. Western is a solid team as well and will earn one of the MAC bowl bids at season’s end. Expect a thriller in Amherst (NY) with the Bulls squeaking out the victory.”

Temple @ Central Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Central 44 – Temple 16

Actual Score: Central 24 – Temple 14

Comment: “Central has yet to have a real break-out game this season and with two-weeks to prepare for this home contest, look for the ‘Chips to begin their MAC run by throttling the Owls in Mount Pleasant.

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Actual: Temple played much better than this publication thought they would before the ‘Chips pulled away in the second half. CMU’s Bryan Anderson 149 receiving yards while Temple’s Junior Gallette had 3 sacks for minus 17 yards.

BGSU @ Akron

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 27 - 23

Actual Score: BGSU 37 – Akron 33

Comment: “Perhaps playing away from Doyt-Perry Stadium is the answer? Akron is playing surprisingly well this season and has a shot at a bowl game this season if they beat the Falcons.”

Actual: Playing on the road was exactly what the Falcons needed in their come-from-behind win. It was the second straight gut-wrenching home loss for the Zips. BG’s Anthony Turner rushed for 126-yards to lead their 23-point 4th quarter outburst while Akron’s Dennis Kennedy had his best game in two years rushing for 182-yards.

#25 Ball State @ Western Kentucky

Nick’s Pick: Ball State 38 – Western Kentucky 20

Actual Score: Ball State 24 – Western Kentucky 7

Comment: “The Hilltoppers have already played two nationally ranked teams this year and will not be intimidated by the Cardinals. Ball State has NEVER played a game as a ranked team and is in totally unchartered waters here. Look for a close contest with BSU to pull away late.”

Actual: After a slow start, the Cardinals pulled away in the second half to win their first game in school history as a nationally ranked team.

By Nick Gerogosian
Owner, VanDelay Sports

Nick's MAC Football Picks are brought to you each week throughout the MAC football season here at VanDelay Sports.