2008 MAC Team Schedule
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2008 SEC Composite Schedule
& Top Games
Toughest schedules
Based on home games as
well as who the teams play. when
East
1. Temple
2. Bowling Green
3. Kent State
4. Ohio
5. Buffalo
6. Miami Univ.West
1. Ball State
2. Toledo
3. Central Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Western Michigan |
East Division
Akron
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 6-6
It'll be an interesting tale of two
seasons with two weeks off giving the Zips time from mid-October to
early November to heal up. The final three games will make or break the
East season playing Buffalo, at Ohio and at Temple, while the Bowling
Green showdown is at home. In a strange and bizarre twist, the Zips
don't play defending East champion Miami University. Playing Eastern
Michigan from the West is a plus. The non-conference schedule isn't all
that bad outside of the opener at Wisconsin. Syracuse and Army aren't
going to be special, and the Cincinnati game is at home.
Aug. 30
at Wisconsin
Sept. 6 at Syracuse
Sept. 13 Ball State
Sept. 20 at Army
Sept. 27 Cincinnati
Oct. 4 at Kent State
Oct. 11 Bowling Green
Oct. 18 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 5 Toledo
Nov. 13 Buffalo
Nov. 22 at Ohio
Nov. 28 at Temple
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Bowling Green
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 7-5
The Falcons start out tough at Pitt, against Minnesota and at Boise
State and Wyoming, but things ease up in a big way. The Miami University
showdown is at home, while playing Eastern Michigan and Northern
Illinois from the West is a huge bonus. Going to Ohio and Akron will
likely make or break MAC title hopes, while a mid-November off week
comes just before the finishing kick against Buffalo and at Toledo.
Considering the early open date, the Falcons don't play two straight
weeks on the road.
Aug. 30
at Pitt
Sept. 6 Minnesota
Sept. 13 at Boise State
Sept. 20 OPEN DATE
Sept. 27 at Wyoming
Oct. 4 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 11 at Akron
Oct. 18 Miami Univ.
Oct. 25 at Northern Illinois
Nov. 1 Kent State
Nov. 8 at Ohio
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Buffalo
Nov. 28 at Toledo
-
Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Buffalo
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 2-10
Realistic record: 5-7
The Bulls will know where they stand in MAC play right off the bat with
a mid-September game against a veteran Temple team and a road trip to
Central Michigan. Playing the Chippewas and Western Michigan from the
West isn't a plus, but getting Miami University at home is nice. UTEP is
a bit off the wall for an opener, but it's at UB while non-conference
road games at Pitt and Missouri have to be seen as tune ups for the
conference season. There's a nice stretch of three weeks in October
without going on the road, but back-to-back November away dates at Akron
and Bowling Green might ruin any dreams of a huge year.
Aug. 28 UTEP
Sept. 6 at Pitt
Sept. 13 Temple
Sept. 20 at Missouri
Sept. 27 at Central Michigan
Oct. 4 OPEN DATE
Oct. 11 Western Michigan
Oct. 18 Army
Oct. 28 at Ohio
Nov. 4 Miami Univ.
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Akron
Nov. 21 at Bowling Green
Nov. 28 Kent State
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Kent State
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 5-7
Forget about the first two weeks of the season against Boston College
and at Iowa State. It's all about a key five-week stretch starting with
Delaware State and ending with Ohio that will set the tone for the year
before what should be a desperately needed week off. And then comes the
defining point of the season with back-to-back road games against Miami
University and Bowling Green before another off week. In past years
getting Temple and Buffalo in November would be a plus, but that might
not be the case this season wrapped around a date with Northern
Illinois.
Aug. 30
Boston College
Sept. 6 at Iowa State
Sept. 13 Delaware State
Sept. 20 at UL Lafayette
Sept. 27 at Ball State
Oct. 4 Akron
Oct. 11 Ohio
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 at Miami Univ.
Nov. 1 at Bowling Green
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 12 Temple
Nov. 18 Northern Illinois
Nov. 28 at Buffalo
-
Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Miami
University
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 9-3
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 6-6
MU gets six home games for the first time in its history starting off
with Vanderbilt and finishing with Ohio in what could be the game for
the East title. A non-conference snoozer against Charleston Southern is
forgivable considering the other three non-MAC dates are against BCS
teams including road trips to Michigan and Cincinnati. Missing Akron
from the East is odd while getting a strong Ball State team in Oxford is
a good break. Unfortunately, going to Northern Illinois and Toledo from
the West will make a sixth East title in seven years tough. The key will
surviving a mid-season stretch of three road trips in four weeks.
Aug. 28 Vanderbilt
Sept. 6 at Michigan
Sept. 13 Charleston Southern
Sept. 20 at Cincinnati
Sept. 27 OPEN DATE
Oct. 4 Temple
Oct. 11 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 18 at Bowling Green
Oct. 25 Kent State
Nov. 4 at Buffalo
Nov. 11 Ball State
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Toledo
Nov. 28 Ohio
-
Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Ohio
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 5-7
It's a strange schedule with a three-game October road trip to Western
Michigan, Kent State and Temple wrapped around VMI and Buffalo. Getting
through the first chunk of the season will be tough with six road games
in the first eight. Two off weeks in November will be a huge help
wrapped around a key date against Bowling Green, but playing Central
Michigan and at Western Michigan from the West is as tough as it gets.
The non-conference slate isn't too nasty considering two of the road
dates are at Northwestern and Wyoming, but the Ohio State game won't
help the team's confidence.
Aug. 30
at Wyoming
Sept. 6 at Ohio State
Sept. 13 Central Michigan
Sept. 20 at Northwestern
Sept. 27 VMI
Oct. 4 at Western Michigan
Oct. 11 at Kent State
Oct. 21 at Temple
Oct. 28 Buffalo
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 Bowling Green
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 Akron
Nov. 28 at Miami Univ.
-
Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Temple
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 7-5
Barring total disaster worst case record: 2-10
Realistic record: 5-7
Because of all the returning experience, this should be the best Temple
team, by far, in several years, but the schedule won't provide any help
with seven road games in the first ten including a lamb for the
slaughter date at Penn State and back-to-back trips to face 2007 MAC
title game combatants Miami University and Central Michigan. Winning
the MAC home dates will be a must against Western Michigan, Ohio,
Eastern Michigan and Akron. Closing out the regular season with the
Eagles and Zips should help.
Aug. 29 at Army
Sept. 6 Connecticut
Sept. 13 at Buffalo
Sept. 20 at Penn State
Sept. 27 Western Michigan
Oct. 4 at Miami Univ.
Oct. 11 at Central Michigan
Oct. 21 Ohio
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 at Navy
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 12 at Kent State
Nov. 22 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 29 Akron
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Western Division
Ball State
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 9-3
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 7-5
The Cardinals have the rare MAC non-conference schedule that's
completely winnable. Consider it a major disappointment if they can't
beat Northeastern, Navy and at Western Kentucky, and with a high-powered
passing game, there's a puncher's chance of winning at Indiana. The MAC
slate is brutal with games against, arguably, the league's three best
teams (outside of BSU): Toledo, Miami and Central Michigan. Oh yeah, and
all three games are on the road with the battles with the RedHawks and
Chippewas coming in back-to-back weeks in November. On the plus side
there are two off weeks in the middle of the season to refresh and
rejuvenate before the nasty finishing kick.
Aug. 28
Northeastern
Sept. 5 Navy
Sept. 13 at Akron
Sept. 20 at Indiana
Sept. 27 Kent State
Oct. 4 at Toledo
Oct. 11 at Western Kentucky
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 5 Northern Illinois
Nov. 11 at Miami Univ.
Nov. 19 at Central Michigan
Nov. 25 Western Michigan
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Central Michigan
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 9-3
Barring total disaster worst case record: 5-7
Realistic record: 7-5
The two-time defending MAC champion will get some big chances to see
just how good it really is early on. As if dealing with a good Ohio team
on the road on September 6th wasn't enough, that's sandwiched in between
road trips to Georgia and Purdue. If that wasn't enough for a
non-conference schedule, there's a trip to Indiana to kick off November.
On the flip side, the conference schedule couldn't be too much better
with Western Michigan, Ball State and Northern Illinois coming to Mount
Pleasant to offset a tough West date against Toledo.
Aug. 28
Eastern Illinois
Sept. 6 at Georgia
Sept. 13 at Ohio
Sept. 20 at Purdue
Sept. 27 Buffalo
Oct. 4 OPEN DATE
Oct. 11 Temple
Oct. 18 Western Michigan
Oct. 25 at Toledo
Nov. 1 at Indiana
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 12 Northern Illinois
Nov. 19 Ball State
Nov. 28 at Eastern Michigan
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Eastern Michigan
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 7-5
Barring total disaster worst case record: 2-10
Realistic record: 4-8
The non-conference games at Michigan State and Maryland will be too tall
an order for the Eagles, but Indiana State and at Army are manageable.
Playing five road games in six after September would be tough for
anyone, but there's a little bit of a break getting two weeks off
between the trip to Western Michigan and the date at Temple. Going to
Bowling Green, Ball State and WMU means EMU has to pull off home upsets
against Toledo and Central Michigan to have any real dreams of a winning
season.
Aug. 28
Indiana State
Sept. 6 at Michigan State
Sept. 13 Toledo
Sept. 20 at Maryland
Sept. 27 Northern Illinois
Oct. 4 at Bowling Green
Oct. 11 at Army
Oct. 18 Akron
Oct. 25 at Ball State
Nov. 1 at Western Michigan
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 at Temple
Nov. 28 Central Michigan
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Northern Illinois
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 8-4
Barring total disaster worst case record: 3-9
Realistic record: 5-7
The new era of NIU football starts out with four road trips in the first
five games, highlighted by a key West date at Western Michigan, and then
comes the meat of the MAC season. Battling league powers Miami
University, Toledo and Bowling Green before going to Ball State would be
hard enough, and then there's the date against Central Michigan. Win
four of those five and the West title is possible. Win three of them and
a bowl dream is still alive. The conference slate ends in mid-November
with an off week before finishing with Navy.
Aug. 30 at
Minnesota
Sept. 6 at Western Michigan
Sept. 13 OPEN DATE
Sept. 20 Indiana State
Sept. 27 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 4 at Tennessee
Oct. 11 Miami Univ.
Oct. 18 Toledo
Oct. 25 Bowling Green
Nov. 5 at Ball State
Nov. 12 Central Michigan
Nov. 18 at Kent State
Nov. 22 OPEN DATE
Nov. 25 Navy
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Toledo
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 9-3
Barring total disaster worst case record: 4-8
Realistic record: 7-5
With one of the toughest MAC non-conference schedules (at Arizona,
Fresno State and at Michigan to go along with a layup against FIU), the
Rockets have an uphill battle. And then there's the problem of four road
trips in five games and only one off week the entire year after starting
the season on September 6th instead of August 30th. The MAC road trips
against Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Akron
aren't awful, and getting Bal State, Central Michigan, Miami and Bowling
Green at home is a major plus. Win those four and split the road games
and the West title is possible.
Aug. 30 OPEN DATE
Sept. 6 at Arizona
Sept. 13 at Eastern Michigan
Sept. 20 Fresno State
Sept. 27 FIU
Oct. 4 Ball State
Oct. 11 at Michigan
Oct. 18 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 25 Central Michigan
Nov. 1 at Western Michigan
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 11 at Akron
Nov. 20 Miami Univ.
Nov. 28 Bowling Green
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way
Western Michigan
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 9-3
Barring total disaster worst case record: 4-8
Realistic record: 7-5
It's not all that bad considering there's only one span of back-to-back
road trips (at Buffalo and at Central Michigan in mid-October), and
while there's a stretch of three road games in four weeks, it's followed
up by an off-week. The key will be getting off to a hot start with a
tough November to deal with. The final month begins with what should be
the easiest MAC game of WMU's season, Eastern Michigan, before playing
Illinois in Detroit, hosting Toledo, and finishing up with a trip to
Ball State after another off-week. The battle with the Illini and the
opening day trip to Nebraska will be tough, but the other two
non-conference games at Idaho and at home against Tennessee Tech are
almost certain wins.
Aug. 30 at Nebraska
Sept. 6 Northern Illinois
Sept. 13 at Idaho
Sept. 20 Tennessee Tech
Sept. 27 at Temple
Oct. 4 Ohio
Oct. 11 at Buffalo
Oct. 18 at Central Michigan
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 8 Illinois (Detroit)
Nov. 15 Toledo
Nov. 22 OPEN DATE
Nov. 25 at Ball State
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Almost certain win
- Likely loss
- Could go either way