|
 In the space of those 12
hours, the national perception of the Mid-American Conference changed.
On three separate occasions last Saturday, MAC schools defeated Top-25
programs and simultaneously sent a message from one coast to the other –
“The Mid-American Conference is a force to be reckoned with.”
Labeled the best day in conference history by USA Today, what occurred
on September 20th may help shape the fortunes of 14 institutions on the
football field for decades. This conference wants respect. It wants
recognition without the asterisk. It wants to prove itself. It wants to
play against the ‘power conferences’ and be included in the Bowl
Championship Series equation.
If you’re like me and you take a great interest in this conference, it
probably doesn’t shock you when people incorrectly refer to it as the
MAC Conference (what in the world do you think that ‘C’ in MAC is
people?). I actually had an acquaintance say that he only knew of the
MAC because of what occurred after the game between Miami and Marshall
last season. (This person and I are no longer friends.)
Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner told the media two years ago in Detroit
that the MAC’s biggest problem is that “no one knows who we are” and at
the time, the statement was accurate. After last Saturday, however, not
recognizing a MAC team as a dangerous opponent is inexcusable. Every
network and newspaper in the country was forced to step back and take a
good hard look at the Mid-American Conference. I’m surprised it didn’t
happen sooner.
This conference has claimed a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate for
each of the last five seasons. The number of dynamic and talented
quarterbacks who play for MAC teams this fall is staggering. It boasts
the leading returning rusher in the nation (Northern Illinois’ Michael
Turner, 1915 yards in 2002). Pick up a random magazine that lists the
‘top players at each position in college football’ and you are
guaranteed to find the following names: Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan
Schneider, Josh Harris, Michael Turner, Darius Watts, Steve Azar, Nate
McPeek, Jason Babin, Chad Mascoe and Dan Sheldon. Some names you might
recognize and some not. All ring a bell, though, with opposing teams’
coordinators. The point is that they are some of the best in college
football and that they play in this conference.
On September 2, 2000, Toledo defeated Penn State 24-6 in Happy Valley
and the effects of that nationally televised contest started a quiet
rumble in the rest of the MAC. Since that time, those of us who follow
and study these teams understand that this conference has gotten
stronger each and every season. Bowling Green, Marshall, Miami, Northern
Illinois, Ohio and Toledo have all defeated BCS conference schools in
the last four seasons and that trend seems to be holding firm. The
Falcons, in particular, have recently become known as upset specialists
with three wins against the Big Ten and Big 12 in two years.
When three teams from the MAC defeat top Top-25 squads on the same day,
what kind of message does it send to the other conferences? Essentially,
it means that a non-conference game against the Mid-American Conference
is no longer a ‘guaranteed win.’
That’s not me talking, that’s the everyday college football fan looking
down a team’s schedule and automatically checking a mental ‘W’ next to a
MAC team slated to visit campus early in the season. Now it means a
chance for an upset or rather, just another opportunity for the MAC.
Also, have you noticed how many BCS schools are traveling to MAC
campuses for games lately?
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst needs to be commended
for his tireless efforts. Every time I hear this man speak, it’s in
reference to increased coverage and more opportunities for this
conference to plant its flag on the national scene. The Ohio Sports
Network’s Derek Scott interviewed Chryst after halftime of Ohio’s home
game against Minnesota and the topic was adding a third bowl possibility
in the near future. Conversations with the current BCS conference
representatives and university presidents were confirmed to have taken
place. Nationally televised games on ESPN seem to be just the tip of the
iceberg here. In now his fifth year as commissioner, we are beginning to
see the fruit of this man’s labors (and the people who work with him at
the MAC office).
How does the MAC follow up with an encore that is worthy of its
non-conference success last weekend? It does the same thing it has for
years. The 14 teams go out and for the next 8-10 weeks they scrap and
fight for every yard in hopes of winning the league. A chance to play in
the conference championship is still at the heart and soul of what makes
this so intriguing every single Saturday. While a handful of games have
already been played between teams from the East and West divisions,
Saturday kicks off the MAC schedule in its entirety and this has proven
to be the time of year that makes or breaks a team. If your goal is to
play on December 4th (MAC Championship Game on the campus of the West
Division winner), your journey really begins now.
So in closing, I’ll throw this little comparison out there. I put down
the phone last Saturday evening and thought about what had transpired in
the college football world. I realized that the MAC in non-conference
play is now similar to a shark that smells blood. Lately it’s been a bit
more lethal. While I will always be partial to the Ohio Bobcats on the
playing field, it’s nice to watch this ever-improving football
conference as a whole grab the spotlight and get the recognition it has
earned. |
