2010 MAC Football Schedule Review

Ranking the Non-Conference Schedules (Most difficult ranked #1)

Miami - at Florida; Colorado State; at Missouri; at Cincinnati
Toledo - Arizona ; at Purdue; Wyoming; at Boise State
Eastern Michigan - Army; at Ohio State; at Vanderbilt; at Virginia
BGSU - at Troy; at Tulsa; Marshall; at Michigan
NIU - at Iowa State; North Dakota; at Illinois; at Minnesota
Temple - Villanova; UConn; at Penn State; at Army
Ohio - Wofford; at Ohio State; at Marshall; La-Lafayette
Central Michigan - Hampton; at Northwestern; at Virginia Tech; at Navy
Western Michigan - at Michigan State; Nichols State; Idaho; at Notre Dame
Kent State - Murray State; at Boston College; at Penn State; Army
Akron -Syracuse ; Gardner Webb; at Kentucky; at Indiana
Ball State -SE Missouri State; Liberty; at Purdue; at Iowa
Buffalo - Rhode Island ; at Baylor; UCF; at UConn

Miami

This is a ridiculous schedule for a rebuilding program. Opening the season at Florida could spell disaster if some of their core players get hurt. Three of the four teams will most likely be nationally ranked at some point this season and Colorado State is a top-50 team; certainly no cupcake at home.

Prediction: 0-4

Toledo

The Rockets have the talent to make some noise this season and playing Arizona at home on a Friday night nationally televised contest offers a real chance at a nice non-conference victory. The Rockets have been pummeled by Purdue during their past two outings and Boise State is a definite loss. Wyoming has improved and is UT’s best shot a non-conference win.

Prediction: 1-3 or 2-2

Eastern Michigan

The Eagles really should have softened this schedule and played a formally known as I-AA team or two. Beating Army on September 4 is a must; the rest of these games will be ugly.

Prediction: 0-4

BGSU

Normally this would be a nice non-conference schedule for the Falcons with several chances at victory. Unfortunately this will be a rebuilding year for Bowling Green as 44 of 85 scholarship players are either true or redshirt freshmen.

Prediction: 0-4 or 1-3

NIU

I’ve never understood how solid programs like Northern Illinois, with good facilities and proximity to Chicago, can rarely land a good non-conference home game. North Dakota is a decent team, certainly not the top of the FCS ranks though. The three road games are all winnable; all of these non-conference road games will be close.

Prediction: 1-3 or 2-2

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Temple

The Owls will enter the 2010 season as the MAC favorite due to their dominating defense and solid running game. If they get anything from the QB position, believe it or not, Temple could end the season nationally ranked just like Central Michigan last season. The ‘Nova game should be a real gem and finally beating UConn is a possibility. The Owl defense should also be able to keep the score closer than many will expect against Penn State.

Prediction: 2-2 or 3-1

Ohio

The Bobcats have the returning talent to make them a solid MAC champion contender, and getting revenge against Marshall and the new Herd coaching staff is a must for OU. Playing Ohio State competitive is a real possibility and beating Louisiana-Lafayette at home is a must.

Prediction: 3-1

Central Michigan

The Chips are entering unchartered waters with a new QB, new WRs, and a new coaching staff. Northwestern and Navy offer CMU a chance to have some nice non-conference wins although each will present challenges.

Prediction: 1-3

Western Michigan

The Broncos are the biggest unknown in the MAC entering the 2010 season. Idaho is no longer a pushover as the Vandals beat both BGSU & NIU last season. Road games to Michigan State and Notre Dame are not favorable after their four-year starter graduated at QB.

Prediction: 2-2

Kent State

The Golden Flashes have been more talented than their record indicates the past few seasons but winning at BC or Penn State is not going to happen. Beating Army at home certainly could and should happen.

Prediction: 2-2

Akron

The Zips and their new coaching staff open at home against an improving but not overly imposing Syracuse team. There is a slim chance at victory over the Orange. Road trips to Kentucky and Indiana offer Akron real chances at victory too. However, given the history of this underachieving program, it is easy to expect three disappointing losses.

Prediction: 1-3

Ball State

The Cardinals have a schedule for a fast start. Starting the season with two home wins should build momentum for two road games against Big Ten opponents. Both of those will be a loss as Ball State has only beaten a Big Ten team once in their program’s history, and that was two years ago when they began the season 12-0 and were nationally ranked.

Prediction: 2-2

Buffalo

While the Bulls may be ranked as easiest non-conference schedule in the MAC this season by this publication, this schedule is certainly no cakewalk. Baylor and UConn are solid football teams and UCF is an evenly matched team with UB. Whomever the new QB is will need to build their confidence against Rhode Island and have that confidence carry over to their trip to Waco, TX.

Prediction: 2-2

By Nick Gerogosian