Friday Night MACtion

[Eric]

Well, that ended in disappointment. Kent State played a poor game but caught some late breaks (and some generous officiating), but they lost to Northern Illinois in double overtime. Part of it was their fault as the playcalling in overtime was suspect. Trayion Durham was pounding it up the middle time and time again, yet they ran a failed reverse on third down and threw the ball three consecutive plays in overtime. I don't understand it, just put the ball in your second-best player's hands. Spencer Keith is a very bad QB, probably one of the 10 worst starting QBs in the FBS. I would avoid putting the game in his hands at all costs.

But, congratulations for Northern Illinois. I wasn't against the Huskies tonight because they're the Huskies, it was mainly based on the circumstances. Kent State had a much easier route to the BCS than Northern Illinois does now. With UCLA losing, this opens up the door. A Texas loss would also help their cause. I think NIU will get close but won't get to #16. I think #17 or #18 is much more likely, but I have no idea how this whole thing will shake out. I also don't know where this puts Boise State, as a win over Nevada could help them maintain their ranking in the human poll and this could help them slide up to #16. I think NIU is in a little better of a spot than Boise State is. The best things for Boise State and Northern Illinois are Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, and TCU somehow getting upsets in their game or some combination of those upsets. Nevada beating Boise State would really help out NIU as the Huskies would be in line to pick up all of the Harris and Coaches' votes that were going to Boise State.

[armchairqb]

The notable point about this MAC title game was that both teams had consistent dominating second halves of their regular season(s). Any coach that manage talent like that in the MAC will get to coach somewhere else for more prestige/$$$. Dave Doeren will now be the HC at N.C. State which is a great move for Doeren and State. N.C. State could win the ACC Coastal next season under Doeren.

I'm more impressed with the fact that N. Illinois won that game with the imminent possibility of their head coach being poached. Darell Hazell will likely get a call soon if he hasn't gotten one already. The fact that anyone could guide a Kent State team to a regular season consisting of eight wins or more is pretty amazing.

[Eric]

Darrell Hazell did a great job this year as did Dave Doeren. Kent State is a marginally-talented team. Bowling Green and Ohio have more athletes. Not a lot more athletes, but they probably have more to work with. Kent State played this year with a very workmanlike attitude and they forced a lot of turnovers. Defensively and offensively they weren't stellar, but they mostly bent and didn't break this year, created turnovers, and hit the big play with Dri Archer. All of those factors combined into an 11-2 season, one they can be proud of.

The problem with the coaches in the MAC is that the business model for the MAC is very low on cost. Fan support is somewhat low, but about average for non-BCS schools. It seems like there is no fan support, but that is because they always get the national stage for weeknight games where they aren't going to come close to selling out. Saturdays always have more butts in the seats. But the low-cost model means they can't afford to pay the coaches so when success comes, they're gone in a heartbeat.

I think it would be odd if Northern Illinois somehow got into the Orange Bowl with an interim coach. Northern Illinois' chances aren't the greatest right now, but I think it's still within the realm of possibility.