MAC Week 4 Preview, News & A Major Upset Call

[MACReport]

At MAC Report Online we have posted our week four preview featuring:Previews and picks for each game -- among our picks, we like Buffalo to pull the upset this week against Baylor, giving the Bulls their first-ever win over a non-conference BCS school --- Either we will look geniuses or fools! Also:**History of MAC schools defeating ranked non-conference opponents**Five MAC punters on Ray Guy Watch List**MAC Squads in the NCAA Statistical Top Ten This Season -- including Can't State which occupies the number one spot in the nation in one of the categories.Check it out at: www.macreportonline.com

[UADavid]

link-----> http://www.macreportonline.com/

[Dr Z]

Can't State (2-1, 0-0, MAC) at Akron (1-2, 0-0 MAC), Noon ETSite: Rubber BowlSeries: Akron leads 27-20-2 (Last meeting: Can't State 37, Akron 15 in 2006).Television: ESPN Regional - List of Affiliateswagon_wheel.jpgOutlook: It may not have the national recognition of the Little Brown Jug or the longevity of the Victory Bell, but the Wagon Wheel trophy will be on the line when these two cross-town rivals collide in Akron. The teams have split the last four meetings with Akron winning the past two matchups at the Rubber Bowl. The Zips opened the season with a win against Army but have dropped two straight against Big Ten foes. QB Carlton Jackson came off the bench last week and sparked a valiant comeback effort, before the Zips fell to Indiana, 41-27, throwing for 200 yards and recording three touchdowns, earning the start this week for the Zips. The Zips hope that Jackson can spark an offense that ranks last in the MAC in total offense and is averaging just 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. Zips WR Jabari Arthur however is having a solid season, and is third in the MAC, averaging 91.7 yards receiving per game. Can't State enters the contest coming off a home-opening win over Delaware State, 38-7. The flushes posses the MAC's top rushing offense, led by MAC rushing leader Eugene Jarvis and QB Julian Edelman who combined are averaging 192 yards on the ground. Can't State also leads the MAC in total defense and have been particularly stingy against the pass, allowing only 146.7 yards through the air. A victory would give Can't State its first 3-1 start since 1987. The flushes have been impressive in the early going and have to be considered early favorites for a MAC East title.Prediction: Can't State 31, Akron 26. Mac Report Online

[skip-zip]

I know some of you have commented that you don't mind going into this game as an underdog, but it bothers me.1) Can't and Akron have both made improvements to their programs over the last few years, but Can't is getting more respect for it.2) We should NEVER be an underdog at HOME in a MAC game.

[zen]

screw this underdog crap.... and who is getting points... and who is picking who to win. When the game is over, none of that will matter, because it is only the game on the field and the score on the scoreboard that matters. Everyone else is just blowing hot air.

[Big Zip]

In Rasor's blog today he mentioned Can't basically said we are going to do what we did last year there is no secret. I agree with Rasor when I say if you can't stop them (after last week's attempt to stop a similar offense) I'm not sure they can. I hope JD proves me wrong this week -- a loss is uacceptable.

[skip-zip]

As far as MAC title hopes go, this game is almost "must win". And you hate to think that your first conference game can possibly be "must win".We'll only have 3 more home games after this one, and two of those are against Ohio and Central, the two best teams in our league last year. And with road games upcoming at Miami, BG, Western Michigan, and an improved Buffalo team, we'd have quite a struggle to get the 5 or 6 wins necessary to win the East, if we lose this one. zen....I know some people might think that the respect you get from the national pollsters doesn't mean much. Sure, the game is played on the field. But what bothers me is that with Can't and Akron both winning again, Can't is getting more respect because of it. And down the road, that matters quite a bit when it comes to bowl bids and national rankings.As Al Davis says....."Just Win Baby"

[zipboy]

No doubt this is a must win.I see Can't being favored because of experience and proven QB play. And I can't blame those who pick Can't. I picked us to win and feel good. We start winning, people show up, we get the nod for the bowl.Beat Can't!