Western Michigan helmets take a page from Boise State

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, or so they say. If that is to be the case, then someone at Western Michigan is a big fan of Boise State. At least, somebody is a fan of their helmets.

Western Michigan shared some images of their new football helmets for the 2013 season, and you may be quick to notice a striking resemblance to the domes worn by the Boise State Broncos, with an enlarged steed on one side of the helmet and a uniform number on the other. While the creativity is clearly lacking with the Western Michigan helmet design, it is still a solid concept that seems to work well for the… uh, Broncos. How long until the Denver Broncos catch up to this helmet design? With Nike in charge, it should not be a surprise to see something like it at some point, right?

More images of the Western Michigan helmets after the jump…

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Northern Illinois fans to ESPN: Suck our oranges!

It is safe to say ESPN did not handle the fact Northern Illinois clinched an automatic spot in the BCS with what you and I would call class. I would highly advise you to check out Matt Yoder’s rant and reaction on Awful Announcing, because quite honestly that sums up my reaction as well as anybody’s to the initial response form some of ESPN’s college football analysts.

Is Oklahoma or Clemson a better team than Northern Illinois? Sure, they probably are. To me though, Northern Illinois played by the rules and met the requirements needed to earn an automatic spot in the BCS. I thought the Huskies had too far up to move in the BCS standings in the final weekend of the season so I was stunned to see they were able to sneak in following their MAC championship win over Kent State. Nebraska’s tire fire performance in the Big Ten championship game certainly was not expected and helped the Huskies, as well as UCLA and Texas losing.

Rather than embrace the Cinderella story for Northern Illinois, many seem to be using it as an excuse to continue kicking the current BCS model on its way out the door (following next season). You will not get any of that from me. I was firmly on the Kent State band wagon specifically to see a MAC team in the BCS. Remember, I thought Northern Illinois had too much ground to make up to get in. I am happy to be wrong on this one. The fans and supporters of Northern Illinois are issuing their own responses to ESPN’s reaction, as you might expect.

Jordan Lynch apparently threw an orange at a TV. This gas station delievers another message to ESPN…

Via Reddit

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Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch remains Heisman long shot

Anyone who pays attention to the MAC as much as I try to do knows exactly who Jordan Lynch is. Odds are you are also well familiar with the near impossibility Lynch will be sent to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Such is the life of a MAC quarterback. After all, it’s not exactly all that often a player from the conference will receive an invitation to New York City for the big night.

Jordan Lynch may still be a long shot to receive that coveted invite, but with the season he has been putting together his school is making a push for him to at least be considered among the likes of Collin Klein and Kansas State, Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M, Braxton Miller at Ohio State, Marqise Lee at USC and so on.

On the heels of a big night in leading the Huskies to a MAC West Division clinching victory against Toledo, sending Northern Illinois to a third straight MAC Championship Game in a couple of weeks, the school put together and released this campaign video.

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Western Michigan players respond to alternate uniform

Broncos to sport new look this weekend vs. Toledo

The MAC is off to a solid start this season. Ohio leads the way with a 4-0 record highlighted by a second half rally at Penn State in week one, while Ball State, Toledo and Northern Illinois are all 3-1 heading in to week five’s schedule. Bowling Green’s 1-3 record is only slightly deceiving. Even winless Eastern Michigan was able to put up a fight on the road at Michigan State this past weekend.

Western Michigan evened up their record at 2-2 with a home win against Connecticut this past weekend. This week they will host Toledo in a rather important early season MAC West Division game. The Rockets will come to Kalamazoo with one of the best new helmets in the country this weekend but the hometown Broncos will be well dressed for the game as well, sporting a new alternate uniform that was unveiled Monday.

The uniforms are the latest alternative style offered by Adidas to a number of their partners (including Wisconsin and Nebraska, each wearing an alternate look this weekend against each other). Western Michigan’s look features a metal pattern on the helmet with a now “retro” Bronco logo on the side. The logo was used by the program from 1998 through 2010. The rest of the uniform style is black, which sort of goes with the school’s color scheme so it is not a significant uniform violation according to our standards around here, with school colors showing off the uniform number and the word “Broncos” across the top front of the jersey.

The players seemed to like it, as you might expect…

Have a look at the new look Western Michigan will suit up in this weekend (photo gallery after the jump)… … Continue Reading

Penn State stalls and falters in Bill O’Brien’s coaching debut

MAC favorites Ohio stun Penn State, 24-14

Bill O’Brien’s head coaching debut did not go to plan, as Penn State gave up 21 unanswered points in the second half of a 24-14 loss in sun-soaked and drained Beaver Stadium. Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton passed for two touchdowns in the second half, one a lucky tip that may have been a sign of thing to come and the other the clinching score to wide receiver Donte Foster in the corner of the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

Things did seem to start well for Penn State, adjusting to a new offensive style and looking for young players to step in to some key roles. Quarterback Matt McGloin showed accuracy and confidence in the first quarter by completing 13 of 17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. His efficiency tailed off though, going 27-for-48 with a late interception off a tipped pass, 260 yards and two touchdowns. His receivers did not help him at times though, dropping some passes in their direction, a recurring nightmare from last season’s sometimes anemic offense. Allen Robinson led the receiving game with 97 yards on nine catches and seven different players got their hands on the football throughout the day.

Full story on Examiner.com.