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Coming off of a 24-21 win over conference cellar dweller Eastern Michigan, this is a must win game for the Falcons (3-1 conference). Having already dropped their head-to-head contest with Kent State, Bowling Green needs a win and help to contend for the MAC East crown. Central Michigan (4-0), on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their lead over rival Western Michigan in the MAC West. The Chippewas will come into this game hoping for a similar defensive effort to the one they got against Ball State and freshman standout Nate Davis last week. CMU forced 5 turnovers, including 2 interceptions, limiting the MAC's leading passing attack to 160 yards. Considering the fact that CMU has been giving up nearly 300 passing yards a game, the effort against Ball State was a real confidence builder. While Bowling Green doesn't have the same ability in their passing game, they do have versatility on offense that could cause Central Michigan fits. The Falcons will try to control time of possession by getting RB Chris Bulluck going early and throwing in a couple of plays to supplanted QB Freddie Barnes (8 rushing tds). Bowling Green will need to find consistency if they hope to stay in this game. Consistency hasn't exactly been Central Michigan's strong point either. The running game has struggled, with Ontario Sneed's sophomore slump becoming a legitimate problem. Through seven games, Sneed's averaging a meager 3.7 ypc and has yet to reach the endzone. Fortunately for the Chippewas, QB Dan LeFevour has turned in several clutch performances. In last week's surprising defensive struggle against Ball State, LeFevour rushed for two scores which proved to be the difference in the game. Central Michigan will need another similar performance this week from their signal caller. Both teams will come in knowing full well what a win will mean for their seasons. Bowling Green has not shown the ability to utilize their passing game, and Central Michigan should be able to take the Falcons out of their gameplan. Unless Anthony Turner and Freddie Barnes are able to keep the CMU linebackers on their heels, CMU escapes with the victory on the shoulders of Dan LeFevour. Prediction: Central Michigan 28, Bowling Green 20 Akron vs. Miami Two of the most disappointing teams in the MAC this year square off in this contest. Miami finally eeked out a 38-31 comeback victory over hapless Buffalo last week, but the team still looks completely lost at times. With their victory over N.C. State as the lone exception, Akron hasn't looked much better. Their "experienced" offensive line has looked slow and uninspired all season, often leaving QB Luke Getsy on his back and giving the running game no chance. The Zips have the MAC's worst rushing offense at a mere 70.3 yards per game. While Getsy has proven in the past that he's capable of the big game, the non-existent ground game has cost Akron dearly all season. With both teams completely out of contention for the MAC championship game, their remaining schedules are about pride. Miami's pass defense ranks 4th in the MAC, but Akron figures to throw the ball more than the 21 attempts Miami is used to seeing each game. If Akron's offensive line can show any semblance of pride and give Getsy time to throw, Akron has the weapons to expose the Miami secondary. Akron's schedule certainly hasn't been favorable, with five of their first six contests on the road including trips to the Big Ten (Penn State) and ACC (N.C. State). With two of their losses to the conference's surprise leaders (Central Michigan and Kent State), Akron should come into this one looking to prove they're better than their 2-4 record shows. Prediction: Akron 31, Miami 21 Ohio vs. Buffalo It's been quite a roller coaster ride for the Ohio Bobcats this season. They opened the season 2-0 before dropping three straight, only to rebound with consecutive victories over Western Michigan and Illinois. Buffalo has played a couple of teams close this season, but for the most part has stayed true to Buffalo form. Their offense has been inconsistent and often ineffective, and their defense has been porous. Don't expect the Ohio rollercoaster to take another dip in this contest. Kalvin McRae has finally gotten the Bobcats ground game going and is coming off of a 111 yard, 2 touchdown performance against Illinois. The Bulls defense has been pathetic against the run, allowing 227.7 ypg and 19 rushing touchdowns. That won't work against any team, let alone an Ohio team with a proven back like McRae and an improving ground game. Buffalo will struggle to move the ball because, well, they're Buffalo, and the Bobcats will ride McRae to victory. Prediction Ohio 34, Buffalo 10 Northern Illinois vs. Temple Garrett Wolfe seemed unstoppable this season, on a collision course with Barry Sanders' 18 year old single-season rushing record of 2628 yards. Until he ran into the Western Michigan Broncos last week. The loss to Western Michigan did more than halt Wolfe's enslaught on opposing defenses - it dropped Northern Illinois to third place in the MAC West, 2 games behind Central Michigan. Needless to say, this is a team in dire need of a rebound. Fortunately for NIU, the scheduling gods have placed Temple on their week 8 plate. What do you get when you take the nation's 117th ranked run defense and put it against the nation's leading rusher? A rebound victory and reenergized star player. There's no reason to expect Garrett Wolfe to be held under 200 rushing yards in the game, and while Temple should be able to throw on the Huskies just like every other team this season, it won't be nearly enough. Wolfe looks like Wolfe again, and Temple extends the nation's longest losing streak to 20 straight. Prediction: Northern Illinois 41, Temple 14 Ball State vs. Western Michigan Two things have been certain for Western Michigan this season. Their offense can't score, and their defense negates that problem. The Broncos defense has forced key turnovers and limited big plays this season, en route to a 2-1 conference record, good for 2nd in the MAC West. They should be tested this week as they'll face the MAC's most potent passing attack in Ball State. Freshman QB Nate Davis has been stellar this season, completing over 70 percent of his passes since taking over for Joey Lynch. Davis ranks 4th in the nation is pass efficiency and will look to test the Broncos secondary. The problem for the Cardinals should prove to be their one-dimensional tendencies. Their running game has been as bad as Davis and the passing game have been good. With Western Michigan first in the MAC in rushing defense, that one-dimensional nature should be as prevalent as ever in this game. While the Broncos offense certainly leaves a lot to be desired, they'll be facing the nation's worst defense. That should provide Mark Bonds and Brandon West some running room and allow Ryan Cubit to pass for several key first downs. If the Broncos can control the clock and limit their own mistakes, they should have no trouble moving to 3-1 in conference and stay within striking distance for their November 10th date with MAC West leader Central Michigan. Prediction: Western Michigan 21, Ball State 14 Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo Eastern Michigan is winless. Toledo might as well be. After seven weeks of the season, it's clear the Rockets have lost their spark. Sitting at 2-5 and winless (0-3) in the MAC, Toledo is one of the biggest signs that the balance of power in the MAC has shifted dramatically. The biggest reason for the change in Toledo has been inconsistency from the QB position. For the past three seasons, quarterback was a position of strength for the Rockets. Bruce Gradkowski's accurate arm and surprising speed made Toledo one of the MAC's best offensive teams. This season, Toledo's experiencing a Gradkowski hangover. Young QBs Clint Cochran and Aaron Opelt have been inconsistent at best and its led to turnovers -- and losses. Losses are something Eastern Michigan has become accustomed to as well. The Eagles come into this game 0-6 (0-3) with this contest likely being their best chance for a victory. With remaining games against Western Michigan, Ohio, Navy, Kent State, and Northern Illinois, this is the last time the Eagles will be favored in a game. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they sport the MAC's worst scoring offense (16.3 ppg) while allowing 30.8 ppg. Expect Toledo to give the ball to RB Jalen Parmalee and pull away in the 4th quarter, likely sending Eastern Michigan to a winless 2006 campaign. Prediction: Toledo 31, Eastern Michigan 20 This week's best bet: Toledo +2 @ Eastern Michigan. ----- |
 
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