I could have posted on another thread but decided to start this new one. The MAC currently has one undefeated and nationally ranked team - OHIO! It also has 3 teams which are all 6-1, with 2 of those teams ranked in the Top 40, NIU and Toledo. Finally, the other 6-1 team is Kent, who does have a bad loss to Kentucky.
This weekend Toledo has the chance to make a statement by knocking off Cincy who is currently No. 21 in the BCS standings. In two weeks Kent has the chance to do the same at Rutgers who is currently No. 15 in the BCS standings. Personally, I believe that both teams can do it. Further, if they did win what a statement that would make to the football world. Think about it, the MAC could claim to have beaten Penn State, Indiana and Iowa from the B-10, UConn, USF, Cincy and Rutgers from the the BE, Kansas from the B-12, plus Wyoming, Idaho and N.M.S.U. from the WAC as well as Marshall from CUSA. In addition thereto, we would have near losses to Florida (BGSU 27-14), an overtime loss to Arizona (Toledo 24-17) and another near loss to Iowa (NIU 18-17), and Minnesota (WMU 28-23). This clearly shows that the MAC is starting to make strides in football. If Toledo and/or Kent can pull the upsets, this too would help OUr chances down the road as it would have to enhance the MAC's standing among all of the FBS/DI-A conferences.
We should be rooting for Toledo this weekend and Kent next weekend. Why? Because if Toledo can win and then wins-out the remainder of the regular season, that would put them in the MACC game hopefully opposite us, with both teams in the Top 25 .
As for Kent, we want them to be a 1 loss team when they play us. Why? Because if Kent can win out until OUr game, including an upset at Rutgers, that would make a strong argument for them to be in the Top 25 as well. That way, OUr last regular season game would also be against a nationally ranked opponent. Then, if we do win-out we would have two victories against Top 25 opponents and a marquee win over Penn State (who could also win-out the remainder of their season). I know this is a big if, but if all of this occurred I believe that we would vault over both Boise and Louisville and get the at-large bid to the BCS game.
Regardless of how it plays-out, we still need to root for both Toledo and Kent to win these upcoming matchups with these BE teams. Their victories would only help to enhance the MAC among all of the FBS/D-IA conferences.
As for having to play a 1 loss Kent or a 1 loss Toledo, if we ever want to be the top of the MAC we have to wins those type of games. Only then will we be able to say we are truly the class of the MAC. Its time we get off the porch and run with the big dogs!
GO BOBCATS!