College Football PASS/FAIL Report: MAC Week 3

MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE

PASS: Akron, Kent State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Ball State, Ohio, U Mass, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Toledo

Akron took the FCS cupcake road to winning this week, as they blasted hapless Savannah State at home.

Kent State fell to Minnesota on the road, but the Golden Flashes had every chance to beat the Gophers, and played well above their level in the loss. It was a gutty performance.

Buffalo could be a dark horse in the MAC East this season after wrapping up a difficult road swing in a 33-15 win over FAU. Buffalo has played respectable football thus far, and they look like a team to worry about.

Central Michigan lost at Syracuse, but this team never gave up, and drove it to OT on the road. Last season, CMU may not even be in this game.

Ball State finally found some defense, and won a serious trap game over Eastern Michigan. Pete Lembo seriously needed this win, and they got it in their MAC opener.

Ohio took the FCS road this week, but it was a difficult test against a top 25 FCS club in SE Louisiana.

U Mass earns a pass this week even in a loss to Temple. The Minutemen are coming around slowly, but this team is showing signs of turning a corner. Mark Whipple is on the cusp of getting something done.

Northern Illinois had the top ranked team in the nation on the ropes until late in a 20-13 loss. The Huskies really get a pass on moral victory, as they certainly played to a level nobody expected today.

Western Michigan needed a bounce back win in the worst way this week, and got it at the hands of an FCS Murray State, 52-20. This was a confidence booster if nothing more after a very tough start.

Toledo now has two consecutive wins against Power 5 teams after beating Iowa State 30-23 last night. The Rockets are flying high, and they could be placing themselves into a position of winning the MAC this season. I really like their chances right now.

FAIL: Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green

EMU had Ball State against the wall in the 3^rd quarter, but the Eagles let up, and never scored after leading 17-14. They lost 28-17, showing that the Eagles still have some work to do moving forward.

Now at just 1-2, Bowling Green is yet another team that had someone (Memphis) on the ropes but couldn’t take care of business at home in a 44-41 loss. Matt Johnson’s numbers are getting wasted in these losses.