Ohio doesn't make Elton's MAC top five going in to conference play, but 5-7 Western does. The Broncos, handicapped by losing Connor Tava for the season, haven't played very well in most of their games. But they pass Elton's "eye test" as a MAC contender, while Ohio doesn't.
I'll be shocked if the man judging teams by the "Eye Test" has seen any of the teams play except for possibly Akron and Kent. Not sure how you can state that any five teams have separated themselves from the top 9 or 10. If I were forced to write it I would conclude that it was Akron and then slightly behind them a big sticky glob of 8 or 9 teams. He has Eastern at #1 (I'm sure so everyone wouldn't call him a homer again) with a 5-4 record against D1 teams and all four losses by double digits (2 by 30+).
He may have been at the Cleveland State vs Ohio game. CSU has played five MAC teams so he may have seen some of those games.
He wrote the MAC preview for the Sporting News so his opinions are respected. But from time to time I vehemently disagree with him. Like on including Western in his top five contenders. They just haven't shown signs of being that good without Tava.
Anyway, hope he's wrong excluding Ohio from the eye test. He did include Ohio in the middle of the pack and said these middle teams could possibly challenge.
Jeff, I don't equate writing for the Sporting News as a sign of respect. I see it simply a result of Elton's being the PD's MAC beat writer.
I've long regarded Elton as being intellectually lazy. Consistently he has shown little regard for investing time in research and serious thought.
I've tended to think his guild membership has protected him. I say that because years ago another PD reporter, nowhere near as inept as Elton, was protected by guild membership. In his case the PD assigned him to drudge work - which is perhaps how the PD views MAC coverage. I read the PD and beyond the Browns and Buckeyes, the sports section gives scant space to other teams.
Last Edited: 1/2/2016 9:11:29 AM by Mike Johnson