MAC football rundown: Week 5

Each week throughout the football season, The Daily News runs through the Mid-American Conference, recapping the previous week and looking ahead to this week’s games.

Entering the first (almost) full week of MAC play, just four teams — Ohio, Buffalo, Western Michigan and Toledo — have above a .500 record.

Each of the 12 schools have played at least one conference game, except Northern Illinois and Toledo, as the middle of the season looms following week six action. 

Here’s the MAC Rundown for week five of the college football season: 

Akron Zips 

Season record: 2-3, 1-0 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Bowling Green (W, 34-23)
Week 6 matchup: Ball State (2-3, 0-1 MAC)

Akron trailed against Bowling Green 23-20 midway through the third quarter after Jake Suder made a 25-yard field goal. But the Zips came back scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run from Thomas Woodson and sealing the deal with a 38-yard interception by Kyron Brown.

Akron hosts crossover conference rival Ball State this week for its second conference game of the season. With the injuries that Ball State has suffered so far this season, Akron enters this game as seven point favorites at home.

Ball State 

Season record: 2-3, 0-1 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Western Michigan (L, 55-3)
Week 6 matchup: Akron (2-3, 1-0 MAC)

From the first play of the game, where Ball State freshman wide receiver fumbled a kickoff return, it was all Western Michigan. Starting in Ball State territory six times throughout the night, Western Michigan dominated its first conference game 55-3.

With an injury-ridden offense, Ball State enters its week six matchup as underdogs against Akron. So far this season, the Cardinals are 0-3 on the road and face yet another road challenge in the first half of this season.

Bowling Green 

Season record: 0-5, 0-1 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Akron (L, 34-23)
Week 6 matchup: Miami (2-3, 1-0 MAC)

Bowling Green had a shot to win its first game of the season and continue an eight-game winning streak against Akron. Instead, a last minute drive pick six sealed the deal for Akron as it went on to win its second game of the season.

This season, Bowling Green has averaged just 16 points a game and given up more than 35 points per game in the process. Miami's pass-first offense may prove to be problems for Bowling Green as the Falcons have averaged more than 280 passing yards against per game.

Buffalo  

Season record: 3-2, 1-0 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Kent State (W, 27-13)
Week 6 matchup: Western Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC)

After starting off the season 0-2, Buffalo has been just one of three MAC schools to win its past three games. This included last weeks win over Kent State where Buffalo was outnumbered offensively, but found a way to win with running back Emmanuel Reed rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns.

This week, Buffalo faces off against another hot conference opponent in Western Michigan, who is coming off a big home win against Ball State in week five. Right now, Western Michigan is favored on the road, but on paper, these two teams are evenly matched in terms of offensive production numbers.

Central Michigan 

Season record: 2-3, 0-1 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Boston College (L, 28-8)
Week 6 matchup: Bowling Green (0-5, 0-1 MAC)

Central Michigan's losing streak continued this weekend on the road against Boston College. After going on top 2-0 by way of a safety in the first quarter, Central Michigan was unable to bounce back against the Atlantic Coastal Conference opponent.

The Chippewas have yet another tough challenge playing against the Ohio Bobcats this week. Even with Central Michigan quarterback Shane Morris putting up 1,336 yards this season, Ohio is an early 12.5 point favorite in this game.

Eastern Michigan 

Season record: 2-2, 0-1 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Kentucky (L, 24-20)
Week 6 matchup: Toledo (3-1, 0-0 MAC)

Eastern Michigan stood strong against Kentucky for most of the game, but was unable to walk away with a victory. Ian Eriksen found the endzone from two yards out in the fourth quarter and had a chance in the last moments of the game as a Brogan Roback hail mary was picked off.

Traveling to play Toledo, which is perhaps the toughest team in the MAC thus far, Eastern Michigan will have its hands full. Toledo's high-powered offense has averaged more than 521 yards per game so far this season.

Kent State 

Season record: 1-4, 0-1 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: Buffalo (L, 27-13)
Week 6 matchup: Northern Illinois (2-2, 0-0 MAC)

Kent State has had a rough season thus far, playing two top 25 opponents and being outscored 177-57 through five games. Late in the second quarter, Kent State had a chance, trailing only 20-13, but couldn't stop Buffalo running back Emmanuel Reed who put up three touchdowns and 144 yards on the ground.

Kent State seems to be outmatched in every aspect this week against Northern Illinois as, by time of publication, the Golden Flashes are 23.5 point underdogs on the road. So far this season, Kent State has both the worst scoring (11.4 PPG) and total (274.4 YPG) offenses in the conference.

Miami (Ohio) 

Season record: 2-3, 1-0 MAC    
Week 5 matchup: No. 22 Notre Dame (L, 52-17)
Week 6 matchup: Bowling Green (0-5, 0-1 MAC)

Notre Dame didn't score much in the second half, just one touchdown, but its 45 first half points were enough to win its fourth game of the season. While Miami controlled possession (35:33-24:27), Notre Dame dominated the game from the beginning, putting up 503 yards of total offense in the win.

This week, unlike last, Miami is favored against Bowling Green, who has yet to win a game this season. Bowling Green has lost by more than 11 points in four of its games this season, averaging 511 yards of offense against per game.

Northern Illinois 

Season record: 2-2, 0-0 MAC   
Week 5 matchup: No. 19 San Diego State (L, 34-28)
Week 6 matchup: Kent State (1-4, 0-1 MAC)

After trailing 31-14 at halftime, Northern Illinois gave No. 19 San Diego State a run for its money with a pair of third quarter touchdowns which included an 81-yard pass to Spencer Tears. The Huskies weren't able to bounce back from four turnovers, however, as the Aztecs went on to win with just 263 yards of total offense and 10 first downs.

Northern Illinois comes into its week six matchup against Kent State as 23.5 point favorites. This season, the Huskies two losses have come by way of Boston College (23-20) and San Diego State (34-28).

Ohio 

Season record: 4-1, 1-0 MAC    
Week 5 matchup: Massachusetts (W, 58-50)
Week 6 matchup: Central Michigan (2-3, 0-1 MAC)

It wasn't easy, but Ohio outlasted a shootout against the University of Massachussetts to earn its third straight win of the season. While the Bobcats were outnumbered in total yards, their zero turnovers led them to an eventual victory.

This week, Ohio plays host to a Central Michigan football team who has lost its previous three games this season. Look for the Bobcats to pound the ball as they currently lead the conference in rushing yards per game with 217 while the Chippewas average 191 YPG against.

Toledo 

Season record: 3-1, 0-0 MAC    
Week 5 matchup: Bye Week
Week 6 matchup: Eastern Michigan (2-2, 0-1 MAC)

Toledo did not play in week five of the regular season.

After a 52-30 loss to No. 14 Miami in week four, Toledo is back and hosting Eastern Michigan for its first conference game of the season. Coming in as 13.5 point favorites, Toledo is led by quarterback Logan Woodside who has 1,346 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception through four games.

Western Michigan 

Season record: 3-2, 1-0 MAC    
Week 5 matchup: Ball State (W, 55-3)
Week 6 matchup: Buffalo (3-2, 1-0 MAC)

Western Michigan won its first MAC game in a big way, absolutely dominating Ball State in a 55-3 blowout win. While the Broncos racked up 414 yards on the ground, it may have been more had they not started within Ball State territory six times throughout the game.

Western Michigan will look to continue its winning ways on the road against Buffalo this week, as each of the teams are on three game win streaks. Western Michigan is 0-2 on the road this season, losing to No. 4 University of Southern California and Michigan State.

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