CBS Power Rankings

[bgsufalcon24]

Around this time of the year I always start looking at the college power rankings, just to get an idea of where we stand nationally. Looking through it, I think it says a lot about where the MAC is as compared to a year ago...the good teams aren't quite as good, and some of the bad teams are still very, very bad. It's really not a great year for the conference as a whole. But it is worth noting that the national guys at CBS continue to give us respect and haven't buried us on the basis of the schellackings we took at WKU and WISC.

Looking at the board, there are a lot of mid/lower level P5 schools sitting between 26-50...you know that if BG and other MAC teams get on a big run in conference play they will really move up the chart when the P5 schools take on water in conference play.

Mac team rankings:
51.Northern Illinois (4-1)
55.Bowling Green (4-2)
64.Akron (3-2)
66.Toledo (4-2)
77.Central Michigan (3-3)
86.Ohio (3-3)
98.Buffalo (3-3)
113.Western Michigan (2-3)
118.Kent State (0-5)
121.Ball State (1-4)
122.Eastern Michigan (1-4)
124.Miami (1-5)
128.Massachusetts (0-6)

Notable P5 teams ranked below BG:
56.West Virginia (3-2)
58.Boston College (3-2)
59.Texas (2-3)
62.Tennessee (2-3)
67.Syracuse (2-3)
68.Texas Tech (2-3)
69.Pittsburgh (3-3)
72.Michigan (2-4)
78.Purdue (3-3)
79.Illinois (3-3)

[Flipper]

Given the fact that WKU and Wisky completely fustigated us...I'm a bit surprised to see us ranked that high.

[svillefalcon]

I am also a bit surprised at how high we are, also Akron being in the mid 60's kind of makes me scratch my head. The fact that they are ahead of Turdledo should anger a lot of Rockette fans. I would also rank Akron below CMU, honestly.

[AyZiggy97]

Paul Myerberg at USA Today re-ranks teams every week, although it's based on his pre season list. He had BG in the 30s if I'm not mistaken. The Falcons are 63rd this week.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /16797909/" target="_blank

44. Northern Illinois (4-1, 1-0)
57. Toledo (4-2, 3-0)
63. Bowling Green (4-2, 2-0)
83. Akron (3-2, 1-0) – UP 13
93. Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1)
98. Ohio (3-3, 1-1)
104. Buffalo (3-3, 1-1)
106. Ball State (1-4, 0-1) – DOWN 13
115. Western Michigan (2-3, 0-1)
121. Kent State (0-5, 0-2)
126. Miami (Ohio) (1-5, 1-1)
127. Eastern Michigan (1-4, 0-1)
128. Massachusetts (0-6, 0-2)

Indiana is listed at 62, interestingly enough.

[svillefalcon]

Paul Myerberg at USA Today re-ranks teams every week, although it's based on his pre season list. He had BG in the 30s if I'm not mistaken. The Falcons are 63rd this week.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /16797909/" target="_blank

44. Northern Illinois (4-1, 1-0)
57. Toledo (4-2, 3-0)
63. Bowling Green (4-2, 2-0)
83. Akron (3-2, 1-0) – UP 13
93. Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1)
98. Ohio (3-3, 1-1)
104. Buffalo (3-3, 1-1)
106. Ball State (1-4, 0-1) – DOWN 13
115. Western Michigan (2-3, 0-1)
121. Kent State (0-5, 0-2)
126. Miami (Ohio) (1-5, 1-1)
127. Eastern Michigan (1-4, 0-1)
128. Massachusetts (0-6, 0-2)

Indiana is listed at 62, interestingly enough.

I think this is a fairer representation of where teams really are, IMO. BG and Turdledo maybe a couple spots closer to each other, but I agree with the rest of the MAC being significantly behind the top three of NIU, Turdledo and BG.

[bgsufalcon24]

Figured now was a good time to take another peak at this...CBS just updated these rankings today.

41.Northern Illinois (7-2)
66.Bowling Green (6-3)
67.Toledo (6-3)
72.Western Michigan (6-3)
79.Ohio (5-5)
80.Central Michigan (6-4)
92.Akron (4-5)
99.Ball State (3-6)
111.Buffalo (3-6)
117.Miami (2-8)
119.Eastern Michigan (2-7)
123.Kent State (1-8)

Of the teams we played OOC, Wisconsin is #24, Indiana is #76, and Western Kentucky is #106.

[svillefalcon]

Wow does that WKU loss look bad now...

I think these rankings are about where I would put teams. I would have Central Michigan ahead of OU, but that is just me. It will be interesting to see if we get a re-match of last year in the MACC or the dream scenario that I think everyone would want... BG vs. slUT for the title. I am hoping for the BG/UT match-up.

[MarkL]

Wow does that WKU loss look bad now...

I think these rankings are about where I would put teams. I would have Central Michigan ahead of OU, but that is just me. It will be interesting to see if we get a re-match of last year in the MACC or the dream scenario that I think everyone would want... BG vs. slUT for the title. I am hoping for the BG/UT match-up.

If it's a rematch, I'd rather it be BG vs WMU. Which can happen. I'd rather not play a team twice in three weeks, no matter what team it is.

[bgsufalcon24]

Wow does that WKU loss look bad now...

I think these rankings are about where I would put teams. I would have Central Michigan ahead of OU, but that is just me. It will be interesting to see if we get a re-match of last year in the MACC or the dream scenario that I think everyone would want... BG vs. slUT for the title. I am hoping for the BG/UT match-up.

If it's a rematch, I'd rather it be BG vs WMU. Which can happen. I'd rather not play a team twice in three weeks, no matter what team it is.

I wouldn't rule out any possibilities as far as our MAC Championship opponent goes. Toledo, Western Michigan, and Northern Illinois all have a good shot to make it to Detroit. Not sure who I'd want to see. You've got Toledo, who has our number and is our primary rival, a WMU team that seems to be kryptonite to us whenever we play, and an NIU team that is going to have revenge on its mind for last year. No matter what, it'll be tough.

Looking at the MAC West, here's the remaining schedules:
TOL - @NIU, BGSU, @EMU
NIU - TOL, @OHIO, @WMU
WMU - EMU, @CMU, NIU
CMU - MIA, WMU

Northern Illinois has the toughest remaining schedule by far, having a critical home game against Toledo before two tough road battles against OU and WMU. Toledo's next 2 are rough, at NIU and at home against BG but they do have a really easy finish against EMU. WMU gets an easy game against EMU next, but their finish is brutal going to rival CMU and then home to NIU. The whole thing seems to come down to the UT/NIU game. IF Toledo wins there, I find it nearly impossible for Toledo not to get to Detroit as they'll have beaten the Huskies, Broncos, and Chippewas. But if NIU wins at home, that throws the race into chaos as TOL, NIU, and WMU would all have 1 loss going into the penultimate week. You'd have to put CMU back into the hunt too then as they have a head to head victory against NIU and could get one against WMU as well before its all over.

Where BG is concerned is if NIU beats UT, UT will need a win against BG or they will most likely miss out on a trip to Detroit. If UT beats NIU, then our game on 11/19 won't mean much as far as the West Division title is concerned...obviously the East Division will be wrapped up by then too.

[Flipper]

Great analysis...I think UT may be in the worst shape right now because they're so banged up on offense and their defense is the worst amongst the top teams in the West. I honestly think it's going to come down to NIU, WMU and......CMU.

[MarkL]

Great analysis...I think UT may be in the worst shape right now because they're so banged up on offense and their defense is the worst amongst the top teams in the West. I honestly think it's going to come down to NIU, WMU and......CMU.

Injured or not, they keep winning tight games. Call it luck, call it leadership, whatever it is. Until somebody beats them, that team up north is the west favorite.

But I did pick NIU to win this week in the MAC pick em because I expect NIU to win this week.

[apollo]

My guess is that WMU, NIU, and CMU would probably be favored in the title game over us. Toledo would probably be a push just because of what Flipper mentioned. Obviously the East is bad this year, but we're still going to go to the title game and have a chance. Coach Babers deserves credit for straightening things out, especially on defense.

[Flipper]

Great analysis...I think UT may be in the worst shape right now because they're so banged up on offense and their defense is the worst amongst the top teams in the West. I honestly think it's going to come down to NIU, WMU and......CMU.

Injured or not, they keep winning tight games. Call it luck, call it leadership, whatever it is. Until somebody beats them, that team up north is the west favorite.

But I did pick NIU to win this week in the MAC pick em because I expect NIU to win this week.

Excellent point...UT is 5-0, but they may be forced to go with a true freshman 3rd string QB against NIU and Kareem Hunt...probably the best RB in the league (although Greene, Franklin and Thomas Rawls deserve some mention there as well) ...has been banged up this season also. Their C, Mancz, went out of their last game hurt as well. Although, coach Potato head said he could have gone back in if needed.

That may be too much to overcome