Previews
MAC Game of the Week: Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan
By Dan Wines
Sep 22, 2006, 17:48

Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan

The win over Akron last weekend gave Central Michigan the hope that they can be atop the conference at season's end, and surprisingly enough, beating this Eastern Michigan team may go along way to bolstering that belief.

Eastern Michigan (0-3) comes into this game winners of the last two against CMU with wins in OT in both '04 and '05. While it's no secret that the Eagles won't compete for any titles this season, they have played well against Central over the past two seasons, and have the potential to compete in this game.

In order to pull off a third consecutive victory, Eastern Michigan will have to lean heavily on WR Eric Deslauriers and mobile QB Tyler Jones. Jones leads the team in rushing and his main target in the passing game has been Deslauriers.

While Deslauriers has struggled a bit the past two weeks (9 catches, 67 yards) he opened the season with 10 catches and 127 yards against MAC foe Ball State. Central Michigan's pass defense has struggled mightily (375 yards allowed to Luke Getsy) and Deslauriers should have room to roam in that secondary.

If their defense can make a couple of stops and take this game to the fourth quarter, place-kicker Andrew Wellock will win it for them.

Central Michigan, however, is the more balanced squad and will have more talent on the field. While they've struggled to get Ontario Sneed and the ground game going, this may be the game for that to change. With Dan LeFevour showing solid leadership despite his freshman status, the passing game should force Eastern Michigan into a lot of nickel packages and allow Sneed to get 20-plus carries and eclipse 100 yards for the first time this season.

While the secondary should be a receiver's playground regardless of which offense is on the field, if Central Michigan can keep Eagles' QB Tyler Jones in the pocket, they'll win with ease. Jones has struggled passing the ball (244 yards in 3 games) and if Dan Bazuin can catch him, his day could turn into a nightmare.

This should be one of those games where one team manages to capitalize on the mistakes of the other. Central Michigan proved last week against Akron that they can do that, intercepting three Luke Getsy passes and turning two into eventual touchdowns. Tyler Jones is not Luke Getsy, and the Eastern Michigan defense is nowhere near as tough as Akron's. Central Michigan comes out and shows they're in the conversation when it comes to the 2006 MAC championship.

Prediction: CMU 34, Eastern Michigan 17


Bowling Green vs. Kent State

Bowling Green is the better team here, but Kent State has shown this season that they're headed in the right direction. Throw out the 44-0 drubbing at the hands of Minnesota and Kent has played well. They took Army to overtime and beat Miami in Oxford last weekend allowing only 33 points in those two games combined. While they may be able to keep the BGSU QB frenzy in check for awhile, they haven't faced a backfield this mobile yet.
Bowling Green should be able to assert it's running game and pass when necessary, however, their defense isn't earning a stellar reputation thus far, allowing Buffalo to hang 40 on them and allowing 28 to Florida International. This is a MAC game, and Kent's due to lay another egg. This may be the game that happens.

Prediction: Bowling Green 24, Kent State 13

Akron vs. North Texas

Akron is one of the most difficult teams in the MAC to predict. One week they go to North Carolina State and shock them in their own building, and the following week they travel to Central Michigan and make mistakes that cost them the game. This is their first home game of the season and Luke Getsy (375 yards last week) is starting to click with his new receiving corps. I expect a big day from Getsy and tough sledding for North Texas RB Jamario Thomas.

Prediction: Akron 28, North Texas 10

Toledo vs. McNeese State

Toledo hosts McNeese State a week after beating Kansas in double OT. While that game was more lost by Kansas than won by Toledo, the Rockets forced the 5 turnovers that cost the Jayhawks that game.
Clint Cochran should recover from a miserable 15-47 game against Kansas and RB Brandon Parmalee won't have trouble against a McNeese State defense that will likely be moving backward for four quarters. Be glad this one isn't on TV.

Prediction: Toledo 37, McNeese State 12

Western Michigan vs. Temple

Does anyone know the names of any Western Michigan second-stringers? You may after this game. The Broncos are coming off of big wins against MAC West foe Toledo and Virginia. Their run defense has been more than adequate and Temple's offense is paltry at best (190 ypg). This should be a laugher.

Prediction: Western Michigan 35, Temple 7

Miami at Syracuse

Miami's offense has been the Ryne Robinson show and that one dimensional tendency has resulted in an 0-3 start. They should get some help from RB Brandon Murphy, but I can't pick a team that just lost to Kent State and put up a whopping 14 points to win -- even against Syracuse. Until Miami gets their act together, I've got to pick against them.

Prediction: Syracuse 24, Miami 20

Ball State vs. North Dakota State

If you haven't heard of Joey Lynch yet, you may after this game. Ball State's QB has been tough and efficient in their first three games. This is a team that almost beat Indiana and kept a game with Purdue's high-powered offense close. Despite their 1-2 record, Ball State could be a legitimate contender in the MAC. Provided they aren't looking past North Dakota State, this should be a relatively easy victory and a coming out party for Joey Lynch.

Prediction: Ball State 35, North Dakota State 14

Buffalo @ Auburn

I feel bad for Buffalo. It took them 5 quarters to score a touchdown on Temple in a 9-3 overtime thriller. They're going to Auburn to play a team that held SEC power LSU to 3 points. If it were classy to forfeit, I'd consider it if I were Turner Gill.

Prediction: Auburn's bench 51, Buffalo 0

Northern Illinois vs. Indiana State

Blowouts are becoming the theme for the weekend in the MAC. Garrett Wolfe is the nation's leading rusher and is averaging over 8 yards per carry. Believe it or not, his average ypc may actually go up in this one. He'll probably only play the first half, but NIU should have more than one 100 yard rusher in this game and dominate from start to finish.

Prediction: Northern Illinois 44, Indiana State 9

Ohio at Missouri

Ohio has played well in its first three outings, earning them a 2-1 record, but Missouri is on the rise and Frank Solich's squad may be in trouble in this one. Missouri is looking for a 4-0 start and their defense should be able to keep Ohio QB Austen Everson and RB Kalvin McRae in check for four quarters.

Prediction: Missouri 27, Ohio 7

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