The MAC Championship Game

[armchairqb]

Last night's Miami (OH) 26-21 win over Northern Illinois was the third time that the ranked/higher ranked opponent was upset in the fourteen year history of the MAC Championship Game.

At least this game was close to the end. That last minute of the game was pretty interesting. A Miami (OH) 4th & 20 was converted via a deflection off the defender into the receiver's hands.

Some teams in this league can make things interesting with the occasional competitive game/upset against a mid to low end power conference team early in the regular season. After week 12, it's as if the legs give out for these teams.

[Eric]

I don't know what it is. As a MAC fan, I've been complaining about the deterioration of the league's competitiveness for years on end. I believe it's just the talent pool that is being diluted, not to mention that FCS programs are getting a great deal of those "sacrificial lamb" paychecks. I'm all for parity, but at this rate you just need teams who can compete at a national level, and the strength relative to the rest of the conference at the top of the standings is pretty refreshing. Toledo, Ohio, Temple, Miami, and Northern Illinois all have 8 wins which is a good sign. I expect another faceplant in the bowl season though, judging by the looks of things. Miami OH, if pitted against Troy, can certainly pull off a victory and if Northern Illinois or Toledo play Fresno State or Florida International, however that works out, they can win those games. If one goes to the Sun Bowl, that's going to be an absolute blowout and I'm hearing that the MAC may wind up in the New Orleans Bowl.