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MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
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quo vadis Offline
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MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Hello MAC fans, as someone who follows P5 teams and knows relatively little about MAC football, I have a question: Why does it seem like the MAC produces extreme results to a higher degree than most other leagues? Obviously I have the Buffalo RB running for 400 yards yesterday in mind as an example. Specifically ...

1) It *seems* as if the MAC produces a lot of crazy results, such as extreme individual performances (such as the Buffalo RB) and extreme game scores, such as scores like 69 - 20 and the like. Is this your perception as well, or do you think the MAC doesn't tend to produce these kinds of results any more than other leagues?

2) If you agree that the MAC does tend to produce more extreme results, then why is that the case? To me, again as an outsider, the MAC should produce fewer such results, because it seems like a tidy, evenly-balanced league. To an outsider, schools like Eastern Michigan and Toledo and Northern Illinois are all same-level, so you wouldn't really expect Alabama vs Vanderbilt extreme results.

But, it seems that the MAC produces results that are more extreme than Alabama vs Vanderbilt ever does. E.g., I don't think anyone from Alabama has ever run for 400 yards vs Vandy.

So .... thoughts?
11-29-2020 10:18 AM
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Love and Honor Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
1. I agree, though our TV exposure compared to the Belt and C-USA helps those performances and crazy games stand out more. Would be interested to dig into the data on point ranges and records versus other conferences.

2. Because the institutions in the MAC are so close compared to other FBS conferences the good coaches can really stand out and win while the bad ones will fail pretty easily so you can get some of those crazy results. Also some of those good coaches like Dino Babers or Sean Lewis play Big 12 style football with an electric offense and optional defense.
(This post was last modified: 11-29-2020 10:37 AM by Love and Honor.)
11-29-2020 10:34 AM
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Bronco'14 Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Parity is exactly why. The favorite doesn't come out ready, or their passing game is a bit off, or a couple early miscues, it can easily give the underdog momentum.

I like Love & Honor's #2 answer, especially his thought on coaching, but I'll just echo it's an offense-first league.

In regards to Buffalo's RB yesterday, he's just really good. Despite the parity, usually a couple of the MAC teams will have an NFL type player who's just too good.
11-29-2020 11:25 AM
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thanksjim Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Cause it's #MACtion. No further explanation needed
11-29-2020 11:51 AM
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NIU007 Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
One really good player, particularly at QB, RB, or WR can be very much a mismatch in the MAC when going against MAC defenses, as long as they have decent help from teammates.
11-29-2020 01:14 PM
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UofToledoFans Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Tradition and consistency with programs helps a lot. Many long standing regional rivalries gets the best out of players. It's fun to play a bunch of teams within a few hours travel. Tons of high school players split to different MAC programs and that makes for intense games.

The weirdness I don't have an answer for, but I think we are rather un/vanilla... Would you rather have a game between Charlotte and Rice or Utsa and MTSU? Nah the Michigan's have trophy games. Toledo and Bg are 25 miles a part. Kent and Akron are close rivals. Miami and Ohio have been playing since the 1800's etc.
11-29-2020 03:53 PM
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wleakr Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
(11-29-2020 01:14 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  One really good player, particularly at QB, RB, or WR can be very much a mismatch in the MAC when going against MAC defenses, as long as they have decent help from teammates.

This.

A strong player, that probably should be playing in a P5, but for whatever reason is playing in the MAC, can result in "crazy" results. And it's even more pronounced if there is more than one. I remember the days of Chad Pennington and Randy Moss (Marshall) completely ripping through the MAC. I don't recall their numbers, but I'm sure they were breaking records during their time in the MAC.
11-29-2020 06:29 PM
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DICK Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
When Travis Prentice of Miami graduated in 1999, he held the NCAA record for most points scored, most touchdowns, most rushing touchdowns, most multiple touchdown games, and most consecutive carries without a fumble (862). He had a 376 yard rushing performance against Akron, which was the MAC record at the time.
11-29-2020 09:02 PM
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zrb2 Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
As a UB fan, i could never forget guys like Moss, Roethlisberger, Edelman, Corey Davis, etc ripping us. Just a lot of good players come through the MAC and sometimes games get outta hand. Of course we had Khalil Mack who was a man among boys and Patterson is a beast. Both those guys were very lightly recruited and UB was their best offer
11-29-2020 10:43 PM
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Bronco'14 Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Another thing is injuries. Take a look at recruiting ratings. Not much separation w/ most of the MAC. All it takes is a couple injuries to the better teams at a couple key positions & suddenly a top team & a bottom team are even
(This post was last modified: 11-30-2020 08:17 AM by Bronco'14.)
11-30-2020 08:16 AM
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quo vadis Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
Thanks fellas .... appreciate the responses.

04-cheers
12-06-2020 03:14 PM
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Pulltown Falcon Offline
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RE: MAC fans: Why does the MAC produce crazy results?
(11-29-2020 10:34 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  2. Because the institutions in the MAC are so close compared to other FBS conferences the good coaches can really stand out and win while the bad ones will fail pretty easily so you can get some of those crazy results. Also some of those good coaches like Dino Babers or Sean Lewis play Big 12 style football with an electric offense and optional defense.

The Dino Babers Philosophy of Defense - All you need to do is outscore your opponent.
12-06-2020 05:25 PM
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