Week One Pass/Fail Report: MAC

This was not a banner week in the MAC this week, as teams either largely fell apart against higher competition, or they failed to put away weak sister cupcakes as they should have. Here's a look at who passed, and who failed in the MAC this week...

MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE

PASS: Ohio, Western Michigan, Buffalo
Ohio went on the road and ripped Idaho in their opener, 45-28. The Bobcats look like they could be the early team this season that could do some damage in the MAC.
Western Michigan certainly did not fold up against Michigan State at home, and even though they lost, they showed signs of how good they can be this fall. Look for the Broncos to make some noise moving forward.
Buffalo destroyed Albany at home, as they should have, 51-14.

FAIL: Central Michigan, Ball State, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Akron, Northern Illinois
So many things went wrong this week in the MAC. Central Michigan had Oklahoma State on the ropes at home all night long, and never could get their offense going despite the defense setting up several opportunities. This was a lost chance.
Ball State beat VMI 48-36, and was hardly dominant against a team they should have put away early. This game was an embarrassment for the Cardinals.
Miami (Ohio) looked largely lifeless in a game in which they won 26-7 over Presbyterian. The Red Hawks led just 13-0 at the half. This was an ugly win, and the program could be in trouble this fall.
Northern Illinois was a three TD favorite against UNLV at home, and yet barely got away with a win. NIU was a solid favorite in the MAC this season, but maybe they got exposed...
Kent State never got off the bus in a 52-3 loss to Illinois that was delayed by a day because of weather. It would not have mattered either way, and Paul Haynes looks to be on his way out short of a miracle.
Eastern Michigan had Old Dominion beaten, and hen somehow found a way to lose 38-34. This loss was so typically EMU, and you have to wonder how bad they can be again this season.
Bowling Green did hang on with Tennessee for a little while, but they got outclassed when it came to their athletes in the second half, and the Vols pulled away after the Falcons got to within 21-20. The defense simply imploded after the half.
Akron stayed close early with Oklahoma, but that was more about undisciplined play from the Sooners rather than all out effort by the Zips. Akron was really never in this game, losing 41-3.