Nine starters are back, but this unit ranked near the bottom of the conference in pass efficiency defense and seventh against the run. Only San Diego State, UMass and New Mexico State own lower marks among non-service academies. Chris Creighton continued to do one of the more underrated coaching jobs in college football, guiding Eastern Michigan to its fourth bowl in six years in 2021. Unfortunately for Miami, he suffered an injury in a season-opening loss at Kentucky. Recent history tells us the MAC won't lack for drama, a level of unpredictability and perhaps parity in the final standings. Both have dealt with injuries in recent weeks which are worth monitoring. The RedHawks averaged 278.5 passing yards per game, which ranked 21st in the country. Bowling Green Falcons (4-4) New coordinator Spence Nowinsky has work to on a defense that allowed 6.0 yards per play and 27.9 points a game in MAC contests last fall. East Division (first place votes) 1. With all of those potential issues, the offense has still performed at a very high level thanks to the play of dynamic quarterback Dequan Finn. However, he has just two big-time throws compared to nine turnover-worthy plays in those situations. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you're here. You will be able to watch the MAC Football live stream on ESPN+. Replacing a four-year starting quarterback would have been a much more arduous task had Drew Plitt seemingly not regressed out of nowhere in 2021. I thought it was one of best coaching moves of the offseason, but this isnt a quick fix. 3. Jack Salopek, Stone Hollenbach and Mareyohn Hrabowski are battling for Eleby's spot, and until the passing game is settled, Western Michigan should be able to lean on the one-two punch of Sean Tyler and La'Darius Jefferson (1,986 combined yards last season). Regardless, dont expect much improvement from an offense that failed to surpass 18 points in its three conference losses against Toledo, Ball State and Bowling Green. Patriots under 2.5 touchdowns @ -135 at Caesars Sportsbook. Hes a talented kid who had a number of P5 offers, but he brings a completely different skill set to the offense. An offense with nine returning starters seems poised for a step forward after averaging only 21.4 points per matchup last fall. Gabbert led one of the most potent Group of Five passing attacks in the nation last year. Running back Lew Nichols III (1,848 yards) powers an offense that averaged 32.3 points a game. Michigan State transfer quarterback Rocky Lombardi shined in his debut in DeKalb (236.1 total yards a game) and is back to anchor an offense that averaged 32.2 points a matchup last fall. MAC Football 2022 Predictions: East Division 1. Consequently, the offensive line ranks in the bottom 20 nationally in almost every run- and pass-blocking metric. Against Western Michigan earlier this season, he had six tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble. In the first game, St. Francis (PA) will be playing against Akron. The receivers have plenty of experience with deep threat Jalen Walker and former Penn State transfer Mac Hippenhammer. After starting the season 0-3 with a home loss to FCS Holy Cross, Buffalo has won five straight to catapult itself to the top of the MAC East standings. The MAC keeps up its mid-week college football action Wednesday when the Central Michigan Chippewas visit the Northern Illinois Huskies. The Broncos lost quarterback Kaleb Eleby and receivers Skyy Moore and Jaylen Moore, along with three starters in the trenches from a unit that averaged 32.5 points a game last fall. If Finn continues to develop under center, Koback's production is replaced on the ground, and the Rockets find ways to close out games, a return to the MAC championship is within reach once again. Addressing the run defense (197.7 yards a game) is a priority, while the Eagles finished third in the conference in pass efficiency defense last season. An experienced roster (17 returning starters) returns from a squad that went 4-8 and lost one-score games to eventual division champs Kent State and Northern Illinois. Charlotte or Akron take your pick for the worst defense in the country. The uptempo Flash Fast offense spent the offseason in rebuilding mode. A return to a winning record will require improvement out of an offense that averaged 22.6 points a game and struggled with turnovers, third-down offense and coming up with big gains. On the season, Bowling Green ranks in the bottom 10 in opponent third-down conversion rate, which illustrates the struggles in the secondary. The hire of former Mississippi State and Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead as the program's new leader should have Akron more competitive in the MAC in short order. The defense actually showed flashes of potential early in the season against superior nonconference opponents but has failed to maintain any long high-quality stretches. The linebacker corps is much stronger due to the addition of Boston College transfer Joe Sparacio. Also, the receiving corps wasnt completely wiped out, as Corey Crooms (44 catches) should push for all-conference honors. They finished with a losing overall record and somehow became one of the worst statistical teams in the MAC. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. In fairness, the Huskies have played a number of close coin-flip games. However, the rest of the offensive line has been very inconsistent, which has held the offense back at times. If Loeffler's team is to have that breakthrough year, the defense has to lead the way. Even with an upgrade at head coach and a more talented (and experienced) roster, this is still one of the worst teams in the country. Its been an ugly start to the season for the Broncos, who have underperformed against the spread more than any team in the MAC. Yet, Rourke has still somehow managed to flourish, even also after losing his top three receivers and running backs from last season. Northern Illinois was not supposed to win the MAC football championship last. The Zips do have a bit more bulk along the defensive line, so they dont get pushed around as much. That unit ranks second nationally in Line Yards and 15th in Sack Rate. Although the strength of this unit is on the outside, more balance on offense is needed after EMU averaged just 2.96 yards per carry in MAC games last season. The Cardinals want to methodically drive down the field, relying on Steele to grind out tough yards and Paddock to connect on short passes to open receivers. Arkansas at AuburnArkansas improved to 4-3 with their 52-35 road win at BYU. It has allowed 18 points per game in league play, holding all five opponents to 24 or fewer points. The non-conference schedule features games against Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia. So, Lombardis health is worth monitoring moving forward. Star receiver Trayvon Rudolph also went down with a season-ending knee injury in fall camp. It hasnt helped that Nichols and backup Marion Lukes have also suffered injuries in recent weeks in addition to the third- and fourth-string backs. The RedHawks are the best team in the division with a healthy Brett Gabbert at quarterback. The Falcons hit the transfer portal in the offseason and brought in senior center Jakari Robinson from Memphis. However, improving off last season's 4-8 mark for Linguist isn't going to be easy. AkronThe Zips are just 3-27 over the last three years, but the program took a big step towards improvement this offseason. Also, the Huskies surrendered 38 plays of 30-plus yards and struggled to establish a pass rush. New quarterback Collin Schlee at least had previous game experience and has a similar dual-threat skill set as Crum that fits the RPO-heavy offense well. After entering camp in 2021 with close to 80% freshmen, Bowling Green boasted one of the nations highest returning production rates entering 2022. They also ranked in the bottom 10 in turnover margin and have been penalized more than usual under Creighton, who always has his teams among the least penalized in the country. As a result, Jim McElwain made a quarterback change last week, going with dual-threat freshman Jase Bauer for the majority of that contest. To make matters worse, the Chips lost their other top receiver in Dallas Dixon to a season-ending injury just two weeks into this season. Plus, the inexperienced tight ends have stepped up to replace the top two from last year, including one lost to the NFL. He and Chase Kline make up a very formidable duo at the second level. Clayton Coll and Brandon Martin lead a solid linebacker unit, and cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II is a second-team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports for '22. If both are out long-term, that could spell trouble for this now very transfer-reliant secondary moving forward whenever the pass rush doesnt get home. At this point, its hard to envision any team other than Toledo coming out of this division. Mid-American Playoff Predictor - MAC 2022 Season - Playoff Predictors. Miami (Ohio) Led by junior quarterback Brett Gabbert (2,648 yards and 26 TDs), the. Cluckey has also had a bounce-back season (38-of-38 XP and 10-of-12 FG), although the special teams havent been great overall. The Zips are just 3-27 over the last three years, but the program took a big step towards improvement this offseason. However, it remains one of the worst pass-protecting groups in the country (bottom-10 Adjusted Sack Rate) after allowing 12 more sacks than the next-highest club in 2021. Ball State also has a pair of talented wide receivers in YoHeinz Tyler and former Cincinnati transfer Jayshon Jackson. Kent StateQuarterback Dustin Crum will be missed, but his departure isn't expected to keep Kent State from contention in the MAC this year. However, after ranking in the top 20 in sacks per game in each of the past two seasons, it ranks 80th this year. However, they followed that low point up with an upset of Marshall and then jumped out to a 3-1 start in league play. The Oct. 8 home matchup against Toledo should decide the MAC West crown. Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2022. 2022 MAC Football Scores - Week 7 September 30, 2022 Coldwater 34, St. John's 3 Marion Local 47, Fort Recovery 0 Minster 48, Parkway 20 New Bremen 62, St. Henry 27 Versailles 49, Anna 14 The offense receives part of the blame, but the Chips have recovered only 13 of their 16 fumbles, which could signal positive regression on the horizon. The Cardinals allowed only 24 points in MAC games last fall and return six starters for rising star coordinator Tyler Stockton. After starting out a 1-1 in league play with an overtime victory over Ohio and a three-point loss to Miami (Ohio), the Golden Flashes had a critical matchup with Toledo. Following an original decision to postpone the start of the football season due to the wide spread of the coronavirus, the Mid-America Conference has resumed play as of this week. Meanwhile, CMUs 4-2-5 defense returned only three starters. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke (212.8 total yards a game) has to play better, and Ohio needs a new No. Buffalo leads the division with a 4-0 mark in conference . Among over 200 qualified quarterbacks at the FCS and FBS level, nobody averages a shorter time to throw than Paddock at 2.11 seconds. View the Mid-American NCAA college football conference Conference standings and conference rankings. CBS has brought the right to broadcast a handful amount of games of the MAC Football 2022 on their channel. Part of Snyders success can be attributed to one of the best group of wideouts in the conference, led by Quian Williams, who led the team in receptions in 2021, and Louisville transfer Justin Marshall. Until further notice, this is the same old Kent State defense. However, improving off last seasons 4-8 mark for Linguist isnt going to be easy. However, theyre a bit more vulnerable at the other cornerback spots. That especially hurts since starting safety Dean Clark, who led the team in tackles last year, has yet to suit up in 2022 due to injury. The offense looked much different with the freshman at the helm. The winner will take first place in the division with Bowling Green trying to keep pace with a victory on Wednesday. Written By: Henry . This defense is feisty and will keep Ball State in a lot of games against MAC foes. Redshirt freshman Jack Salopek got the first crack at quarterback, but the results were disastrous. Veteran quarterback Rocky Lombardi has dealt with an injury for most of the season, which has resulted in Ethan Hampton actually leading the team in pass attempts. !Here is the link: https://bit.ly/PrizePicksGHOSTPICKSYo. Its worth noting that Kent States best defensive player, interior lineman CJ West, missed last game with an injury. . as the 2022 version will kick off on September 1. Last year's unit gave up 33.7 points a game, ranked 11th against the run and 10th in pass efficiency defense. Buffalo . It hasnt translated to any FBS wins, but four of its five losses against non-Power Five teams have come by one possession. After he threw five picks against Ohio, freshman Treyson Bourguet got his first start in WMUs most recent game. OhioReplacing Frank Solich in mid-July was a tough assignment for Tim Albin in his first year as head coach. MAC East contenders will be in the spotlight during Tuesday's MACtion schedule when the Buffalo Bulls (5-3) take on the Ohio Bobcats (5-3). With both quarterbacks unavailable due to injury for their previous game against Ohio, sophomore Justin Lynch got the surprise start. That speaks to its ability to create Havoc but also suggests some luck that may regress. The staff has made a few schematic and lineup changes that should pay off down the stretch. Buffalo lost its leading rusher from last season to the transfer portal, but Ron Cook has stepped up as the primary back. They do at least have a very deep and experienced defensive line. The Huskies have historically enjoyed one of the most pronounced home-field advantages in the MAC. However, the defensive line can only do so much to compensate for holes at linebacker and defensive back, especially at safety. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Plus, the more predictive early-down metrics suggest the defense will actually get worse, especially if the takeaways dry up. Scot Loefflers bunch ranks 129th in penalty yards per game. On Wednesday, July 14, Solich announced his immediate retirement after 16 seasons in Athens citing health issues. Last year, the secondary intercepted only one pass in the regular season, while the defensive line got pushed around far too frequently. That said, he doesnt get much help, and teams certainly key on him. Going into that Ohio loss, NIUs offense ranked in the top 40 in EPA per play. The Chips lost their top pass rusher, along with a pair of excellent linebackers. More College Football Picks Predictions Previews. HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl. 1 running back to emerge with DeMontre Tuggle departing. With a little better luck and slight improvement on both sides of the ball, coach Jason Candle's squad could end up as the best in the MAC. 6. Chat with our Live Handicapper to Know More about the Game. Top college football picks for the MAC battle between Ball State and Kent State. However, this group surrendered 36 points a contest in MAC play and had issues (187.8 yards) against the run. A one-point defeat to eventual MAC champion Northern Illinois. Thats not an ideal combination. They were also very unlucky on fourth downs and led the country in penalties in 2021, which also explains why they lost so many league games last year. Atlanta Open 2022: TV Coverage, Prize Money, Top Seeds, Schedule, DeAndre Hopkins 2022: Net Worth, Salary, Earnings, and Wife, Alvin Kamara 2022: Net Worth, Salary, Earnings, and Wife, Nick Chubb 2022: Net Worth, Salary, Earnings, and Wife. The Bulls were 24-10 over the previous three . Only four of the 12 teams in the MAC have started the same quarterback in every game: Buffalo, Ohio, Akron, Ball State. Try selecting a different location. Miamis lack of run game hasnt helped matters. Buffalo is 5-3 overall and last played in a Tuesday, November 1 2022 Ball State returned all three starters up front on its 3-4 base. The home date against Kent State on Oct. 8 should decide the winner of the MAC East. They did recover the following week with a six-point win over Akron that was too close for comfort. Unfortunately for the youthful Huskies, a year of valuable experience has not translated to improved defensive results after 15 of the top 20 tacklers in 2021 were listed as freshmen. The complete opposite held true headed into 2022 with no real expectations for a very inexperienced club that had eight players get their first-ever collegiate start in Week 1. With all of that said, Id expect the offense to continue to improve with Gabbert now back under center. However, Bowling Green lost shutdown cornerback Davon Ferguson to an injury in Week 2 that might cost him the season. Moving forward, it appears both quarterbacks will get time under center, which was the case on Saturday against Toledo. Overall, EMU has been a bit unlucky. Arkansas vs. Auburn College Football Pick Prediction 10/29/2022. After that, they will move on to the results of the individual matchups. The Huskies and the Rockets aren't the only teams with double-digit selections, as Kent State (13),. 4. However, its a bit undersized, so the Cardinals are still a vulnerable rush defense. However, coordinator Bill Brechin has holes to fill with the departure of ends Lonnie Phelps, Ben Kimpler and Kameron Butler, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and defensive backs Sterling Weatherford and Cedric Boswell. Asking for more help out of a defense that returns seven starters and finished fourth in fewest points allowed (28.2) and fifth in yards per play allowed would also help the Broncos offset quarterback concerns early in the year. Kent States defense has been an issue in recent years and surrendered 37.6 points and nearly six yards (5.98) per snap in MAC contests in 21. Buffalo T3. Meanwhile, every safety in the rotation has played fairly well so far. Toledos offense had questions coming into the season after losing its leading rusher Bryant Koback (now with the Vikings) and five of its top six receivers. If Finn continues to develop under center, Kobacks production is replaced on the ground, and the Rockets find ways to close out games, a return to the MAC championship is within reach once again. Miami (Ohio) and Kent State are the favorites in the East, while Bowling Green could push for a bowl in coach Scot Loeffler's fourth year. With two All-MAC linebackers gone, Ball State was particularly raw at both outside linebacker spots. NIU leads the nation in kick return defense, but its a fairly underwhelming special teams unit otherwise. The offense ranks in the top 25 nationally in Pass Success Rate in spite of very poor offensive line play. Outside of a struggling punting game, the special teams have excelled so far in 2022. Creighton's defense has room to improve after giving up 29.5 points and 6.2 yards a snap in MAC games in '21. Check out Stuckey's full analysis and betting recommendations for each Mid-American Conference team below. Junior Collin Schlee impressed in limited snaps last season and is expected to replace Crum, inheriting a high-powered offense (33.0 points a game) and a strong collection of skill talent. There were far fewer questions on defense coming into the season. That experience has led to a marginal improvement in production but nothing significant. Schlee has had an amazing start to the season with a top-20 PFF grade. Thats its identity under head coach Thomas Hammock, a former running backs coach with the Baltimore Ravens. Lombardi doesn't lack for help in the supporting cast either. If Paddock (or another QB) settles under center, there's a lot to like about the skill talent, which includes running back Carson Steele and receivers Yo'Heinz Tyler and Jayshon Jackson. Linebacker Bubba Arslanian's return (missed eight games) is huge for a run defense that allowed nearly 250 yards (248.9) a game in '21. Replacing running back Bryant Koback is the top priority for an offense that averaged 33.4 points a game and 6.6 yards per play last fall. The turnovers are coming. Thanks for visiting gomacsports.com! However, Akron has no redeeming qualities when it comes to defending the pass. Free College Football Picks For Today 10/18/2022. Meanwhile, their five defeats all came in blowout fashion. #NCAAF #KentState #BallState Prize Picks Link: Sign up with code GHOSTPICKS and get a free package!!! Its definitely a decent downgrade at this point from Finn to Gleason. However, coordinator Bill Brechin has holes to fill with the departure of ends Lonnie Phelps, Ben Kimpler and Kameron Butler, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and defensive backs Sterling Weatherford and Cedric Boswell. 2022 College Football Win Total Projections, Odds & Picks: MAC by Thor Nystrom July 21, 2022 In the article below, college football expert Thor Nystrom projects the spread for every game using his ATL system (Adjusted Thor Spread). Clayton Coll and Brandon Martin lead a solid linebacker unit, and cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II is a second-team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports for 22. Although, Im not sure if thats really a sustainable stat. Kent State (3) - 116 Points 3. With 11 returning starters, the experience should translate into better overall play in '22. Considering the level of experience returning, this unit may need to lead the way until the pieces fall into place on offense. The Bobcats gave up 736 yards to Kent State and 640 to FCS Fordham. Rourke is off to a blazing start, throwing for over 2,400 yards with 16 touchdowns to just three interceptions in his first eight starts. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Powell, who had previous starting experience, played OK to start the season before an injury forced Creighton to go to backup Austin Smith, whos more of a dual threat than Powell. Paddock has at least had the luxury of an abundance of experienced skill positions around him. Theres no lockdown cornerback in the secondary, but the coverage has improved. Quarterback Dequan Finn (2,549 total yards and 27 TDs) is a rising star under center. It apparently really misses a pair of departed fifth-year senior starters in safety Jarren Hampton and cornerback Jamal Hudson. Coach Chuck Martins defense brings back six starters from a unit that allowed the fewest points per game (22.0) in MAC contests last fall. Although, that doesnt mean much when a team cant get stops anyway. However, unlike last seasons 7-3 record in one-possession contests, theyve gone just 1-4 in those to start 2022. Its completely reliant on generating big plays, ranking in the top 10 nationally in both takeaways and sacks per game. Just like last year, this is the most talented team in the MAC by a wide margin. Snyder and senior Matt Myers will battle to start at quarterback. Implied Probability: Ohio 12.5%. Time (ET) TV/Mobile. Replacing three starters along a line that allowed 40 sacks last year is the biggest concern on offense for coach Sean Lewis. However, the RedHawks really miss top wideout Jack Sorenson, who led the team in receiving in four straight years. Although, Akron has benefited from facing a few backup quarterbacks in those games. Obviously, the Cardinals have taken a major step back in this area. Per my numbers, Ball State had a top-10 special teams unit in 2021 but needed to replace stud return man Justin Hall (now with the Raiders), first-team All-MAC Punter Nathan Snyder, both kickers and longtime special teams coordinator Patrick Dougherty. Moorhead improved the roster with portal additions in quarterback Jeff Undercuffler (UAlbany), running back Cam Wiley (Minnesota), wide receivers Shocky Jacques-Louis (Pitt) and Alex Adams (LSU) and defenders Tim Terry (LB), KJ Martin (S), and Victor Jones and Curtis Harper (DL). He can move a bit but is much more of a pro-style quarterback. However, thats simply a product of the offense. For reference, I will indicate my current power rating next to each team and offer a stock recommendation (3 buy, 3 sell and 6 holds). No promotions available. For what its worth, NIU is 0-4 in games where Hampton takes the majority of snaps with turnovers being a major issue (7 TDs, 6 INTs). The Bulls also have the third-most fumble recoveries and overall takeaways, leading to the ninth-best turnover margin in the country. Three teams are tied for the top betting favorite at +333 (Bet $100 to win $433) to win the 2021 MAC Championship. The Huskies did have some good fortune on their side (seven wins by one score), but this team brings back 17 starters and is likely to improve overall and overcome any regression in close victories. Football. The 2022 college football season may seem far away, but it will be here in a few short months. Kent State T1. Today's Match Prediction of MAC vs SYD Dream11 Fantasy Football, A League 2022. McElwain hinted that Bauer could get the nod moving forward. With four key contributors gone in the secondary, Buffalo filled in the gaps with a number of Power Five transfers, including: They seem to have hit home runs with Muse and Blades, who have helped decrease the yards per attempt allowed from 8.9 (125th) last year to 7.4. 2022 Preseason Prediction: 1-11 2022 MAC Prediction: 0-8 2021: 2-10, Prediction: 2-10 2020: 1-5, 2019: 0-12, 2018: 4-8. The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has multiple teams that will contend for the title in 2022, and our experts already predicted who they think will win it all this season. NIUs offense has actually been very effective in spite of quarterback injuries. His emergence has helped fill the void left by the loss of Isiah Cox to the transfer portal. Related: College Football Top 25 for 2022. Kent State also recently lost starting safety Antwaine Richardson to a season-ending injury. Entering Week 9, the Zips were one of only three teams (Boston College, Texas State) to average fewer than 2.5 yards per carry. From his passion for Golf to becoming a lead writer in the golf category, his journey was quite awesome. Five players with experience are also back along an offensive line that allowed 42 sacks last fall. Conversely, the inside had promise with Clayton Coll and 2020 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Martin slated to return from injury. Also, five starters and plenty of experience is back up front. Cooper has one of the highest usage rates of any player in the country. BuffaloTaking over a program after spring practice is no easy assignment, so first-year coach Maurice Linguist should be graded on a curve after he replaced Lance Leipold following his departure to Kansas in late April. New coordinator Spence Nowinsky has work to on a defense that allowed 6.0 yards per play and 27.9 points a game in MAC contests last fall. A deeper backfield behind an offensive line that returned four starters certainly has paid dividends. This is arguably a bottom-five defense in FBS. This unit was solid last fall (25.8 points a game allowed) but ranked ninth in the MAC in pass efficiency defense and struggled with big plays allowed (21 of 40-plus). Its worth mentioning that Schlee missed the last game with an injury. Overall, he has done a fairly effective job replacing Kyle Vantrease, who transferred to Georgia Southern in the offseason. The special teams took a step back after losing an All-American kicker and solid long snapper. The tournament will start on Thursday, September 1. Quarterback Daniel Richardson also returns, but the Chippewas must replace two standout offensive tackles Luke Goedeke and Bernhard Raimann and restock a receiving corps that lost two key playmakers in JaCorey Sullivan and Kalil Pimpleton. Last year, only two offensive linemen started all 12 games: left tackle TJ Jackson and right tackle Jay Amburgey. It will take time. Gabbert wont have his favorite 21 target in Jack Sorenson, but Mac Hippenhammer and Jalen Walker are back on the outside. Hes also handled the blitz extremely well with a 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Once Caldas Flashscore, What Did Erik Erikson Believe, Comprehensive Health Management Tampa, Fl, Menu Express Coupon Code, Austin College Self-service, Controlled Input React Hook,
mac football 2022 predictions