MAC bloggers Roundtable: Week 8

In case you want an early start the questions are:
1)Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes are simply lighting up the stat sheet, the record book, and the scoreboard. Is it a slap in the face that Barnes isn't being mentioned for some major postseason hardware? If you were the MAC commissioner, what sort of things would you do to ensure our student athletes get the national attention they deserve?

TFF: Nothing could be done now, I believe. Really, work for a better TV package in the near future. Offer ESPN or even Versus a Thursday night Game of the Week. That's how I became a big MAC fan long before Temple got involved with the league.


2.) We've reached midseason, so take a moment and talk about how your team has either lived up to expectations or ridiculously underperformed. What sort of grade would you give your beloved program if you were asked to sort of give them a midsemester progress report?

TFF: Kinda thought the team would be right where it is, without the loss to Villanova. Also thought the team would have trouble scoring points without a playmaker at quarterback (that's why I pushed for them to sign an All-American JUCO to no avail) and that could bite them in the butt this Saturday when they need points at Toledo.

3.) This weekend�s Pillow Fight features winless Ball State venturing to winless Eastern Michigan. Who loses this game? Do you see them winning any other game this year, or is the loser virtually guaranteed 0-12?

TFF: Saw both teams and I think Ball State is about 10-15 points better than EMU so I would be surprised if that game doesn't shake down that way.

4.) There are 4 teams right now with above a .500 overall record, and a whole host of teams either right at .500 or a game under. The odds of most of these teams getting Bowl eligible is fairly good, which means the odds of someone getting snubbed is equally high. Which team do you see getting snubbed and being left home for the Holidays? What are your thoughts on the current Bowl structure, the tie-ins, or the MAC affiliations?

TFF: I don't really have a feel for that, other than I believe only one team goes from the East and two from the West.

5.) In terms of general college football and away from the MAC... we're halfway through the season. What team's have surprised you the most for overperforming? Underperforming? Which two teams do you foresee playing for the giant crystal football?

TFF: I thought Tim Hiller would have a better season, so that's underperforming. As a team, all I heard in pre-season was how many injuries and true freshmen NIU had, so I thought they'd struggle but obviously Kill is a great coach, so that's overperforming.
6.) MAC Power Poll 1-13
1. CMU
2. WMU
3. Toledo
4. NIU
5. Temple
6. Ohio
7. BGSU
8. Buffalo
9. Kent
10. Akron
11. Ball STate
12. Miami
13. Eastern Michigan