VanDelay's Midseason Report

[IBleedMACGreen]

VanDelay Sports has released the MAC Football Midseason Report over at http://www.vandelaysports.com

[Dr Z]

2007 MAC Football Midseason Report midseason MAC Football Award Candidates Offensive Player(s) of the Year:1. Eugene Jarvis, RB, Can't State2. Tyler Sheehan, QG, BGSU3. Nate Davis, QB, Ball State Defensive Player(s) of the Year:1. Dan Holtzclaw, LB, EMU2. Larry English, DE, NIU3. PJ Mahone, DB, BGSU Coach of the Year Candidates:1. Gregg Brandon, BGSU2. Brady Hoke, Ball State3. Dean Martin, Can't State Biggest Surprise Team(s):1. BGSU – The Falcons were certainly a mystery team heading in the ’07 season and their early win at Minnesota seemed to have catapulted the program back into a conference elite team again – offensively the Falcons are hard to stop.2. Eastern Michigan – A big win at NIU got the Eagles back to believing they can be more then just a yearly bottom feeder in the west; if the offense can pick up some consistency, the defense is good enough to push EMU towards a .500 season. Most Disappointing Team(s):1. Toledo – The Rockets were expected to be in the middle of the MAC West pack but no one predicted the team to be THIS bad and possibly being the worst team in the MAC this season.2. Western Michigan – The Broncos still control their destiny with regards to winning the West Division, but the overall MAC favorite by most every publication including the MAC Media looked awful in their three non-conference I-A games. Top Divisional Teams to Date:MAC East: Bowling Green and Can't State look to be the class of the MAC East thus far and even though the Golden flushes slipped at Akron, the Can't State/BG showdown may very well be for the divisional title.MAC West: Ball State looks to be the part but must prove themselves against both Western & Central Michigan. If they continue to play like they did at Navy and at Nebraska, the Cardinals not only will win the division, they’ll win the MAC title game and likely beat Illinois and Indiana later this season. MAC Football Team Capsules Akron ZipsTotal Offense: 244.4Total Defense: 384Scoring Offense: 17Scoring Defense: 27.8What Has Happened:The Zips had a nice early win against Can't State and their defense played well against Ohio State. For the Zips, the offense must get into gear and fast if Akron has any shot for a winning record and possible bowl birth. WR Jabari Arthur is the real deal but inconsistent QB play has killed Akron thus far. Of their two QBs, neither ranks in the MAC’s top 13 in passing efficiency. The Zips have given up 14 QB sacks to date, which ranks 12th out of 13 teams. The bottom line is this team can’t score right now and then the defense wears down in the second half.What Will Happen:Akron will continue to struggle offensively but their defense will play well enough for the Zips to contend all year long. Don’t expect much more than a .500 season though.