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MAC Power Rankings: Week Eight

Wherein I throw a wrench into the proceedings - because I can, and because I think it's only fair for you to lose your hold on a position when you've done nothing recently to justify it.

By Nicolas A. Lewis
Translation: We're Number One
Translation: We're Number One
Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Not going to waste time with words this week, folks. Northern Illinois has allowed three touchdowns in their last three games, and Toledo just knocked off a ranked opponent (both are things Ohio hasn't done). That is sufficient for me to shake things up at the top of the rankings this week.

Rank Rank (Pv) Team Record What We Learned
1 3 TOLEDO 7-1 (4-0) Now THAT is how you go about shooting yourself up in the rankings. With just enough defense, Toledo almost found themselves ranked on Sunday morning. This Toledo - NIU game is going to be good.
2 2 NIU 7-1 (4-0) Nothing new here. The Huskies did to Akron exactly what they did to Buffalo (and like they'll do to UMass and EMU…)
3 1 OHIO 7-0 (3-0) Sorry, boys. You were in front by a thread, and did nothing to defend yourself this week.
4 4 KENT STATE 6-1 (4-0) Archer only had 174 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. I love that it's genuinely appropriate to put the word "only" in that sentence.
5 5 BGSU 5-3 (3-1) The offense was unimpressive (148 yards and 7 points on their first 48 plays) but the defense was impervious and the opportunities came eventually. Would be nice if they both made a strong appearance in the same week, though.
6 6 BALL STATE 5-3 (3-2) Same business for another week through - though with a bit more oomph this week (a late touchdown made it look a little closer than it actually wound up.
7 7 MIAMI 3-4 (2-1) Nice to get a bye week and let the bottom half of the conference distance itself from you a bit. And I'm sure they're glad for the rest heading into a big home game against Ohio.
8 8 WMU 3-5 (1-3) Happened again. The offense got out strong - and lasted longer. But the Broncos were outgained 243-69 after they scored to take their last lead of the game.
9 9 CMU 2-5 (0-3) CMU kicked a field goal to cut the score to 14-10. Over the next 15 minutes, the Chips offense had one first down, and the defense surrendered 17 points. Akron arrives on the schedule at a good time.
10 10 BUFFALO 1-6 (0-4) Buffalo faced a Pitt team that was sluggish and didn't really do a lot on offense all day - and still managed to make the Bulls look like slugs out in the rain. I'd be shocked if they win again outside of the UMass game.
11 11 AKRON 1-7 (0-4) The defense couldn't handle a really good offense, and vice versa. This game was probably a lot like the game against Kent in a couple weeks might look like.
12 13 EMU 1-6 (0-3) This team is starting to come around…it's unfortunate that it might happen too late to even make a bowl game. Tyler Benz and Bronson Hill (who are both sophomores, by the way) are fun to watch - but the defense is just not good enough to win if they play like this against NIU, Ohio or BG.
13 12 UMASS 0-7 (0-4) Michael Cox broke out for a 32 yard run late in the fourth quarter - and the Minutemen might not have cracked 100 yards of offense without it.

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