Mid-American Conference football rundown: Week 6

<p>As the 12 Mid-American Conference football programs move through their respected 2017-18 campaigns, The Daily News will give a recap and preview every week, running through the teams' previous opponents and looking ahead to the following week. <strong>MAC, Photo Provided</strong></p>

As the 12 Mid-American Conference football programs move through their respected 2017-18 campaigns, The Daily News will give a recap and preview every week, running through the teams' previous opponents and looking ahead to the following week. MAC, Photo Provided

MAC Standings

East Division

Akron – 3-3 (2-0 MAC)
Bowling Green – 1-5 (1-1 MAC)
Miami – 2-4 (1-1 MAC)
Ohio – 4-2 (1-1 MAC)
Buffalo – 3-3 (1-1 MAC)
Kent State – 1-5 (0-2 MAC) 

West Division

Western Michigan – 4-2 (2-0 MAC)
Toledo – 4-1 (1-0 MAC)
Northern Illinois – 3-2 (1-0 MAC)
Central Michigan – 3-3 (1-1 MAC)
Eastern Michigan – 2-3 (0-2 MAC)
Ball State – 2-4 (0-2 MAC) 

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.

Week six was a shuffling week in terms of Mid-American Conference East Division standings, while things remained relatively the same in the West Division.

With MAC play officially in full-swing, the games become increasingly unpredictable and some break records.

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

Akron Zips 

Season record: 3-3, 2-0 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Ball State (W, 31-3)
Week 7 matchup: Western Michigan (4-2, 2-0 MAC)

From the beginning of the game, Akron had its way with Ball State. Thomas Woodson finished with 211 yards passing and two touchdowns and the Zips defense finished with three turnovers, the last of which coming from a John Lako 35-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Akron hosts crossover conference rival Western Michigan this week, who has been nothing short of impressive after its 0-2 start this season. Western Michigan is heavily favored in this matchup, but Akron is on a two game win streak of its own.

Ball State 

Season record: 2-4, 0-2 MAC
Week 6 matchup: Akron (L, 31-3)
Week 7 matchup: Bye Week

It's been the same story for Ball State the past two weeks as it continues to struggle with injuries from some of its star players. While freshman running back Caleb Huntley did step up for 129 rushing yards in the game, he was one of the few bright sports for the Cardinals.

Ball State has a bye week in week seven of the regular season.

Bowling Green 

Season record: 1-5, 1-1 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Miami (W, 37-29)
Week 7 matchup: Ohio (4-2, 1-1 MAC)

After coming close a couple times, Bowling Green was able to secure its first win of the season thanks to a last second fumble by Miami which led to a 93-yard Bowling Green touchdown.

This week, Bowling Green hosts Ohio in a deciding match in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings. Bowling Green will need to lock up on defense, which allows 529 yards per game against a tough Ohio Bobcats team.

Buffalo  

Season record: 3-3, 1-1 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Western Michigan (L, 71-68)
Week 7 matchup: Northern Illinois (3-2, 1-0 MAC)

When Adam Mitcheson hit a 34-yard field goal to tie the game 31-31 late in the fourth quarter, I don't think he would've imagined it going on for more than another 30 minutes. But, the game went on, being decided after an NCAA record setting 71-68 score in seven overtime periods.

While Buffalo lost the game, it proved they could play with anyone in the conference, including a tough Northern Illinois opponent it will see this week. With such an evenly matched game, it will be interesting to see if Buffalo can get back to its winning ways.

Central Michigan 

Season record: 3-3, 1-1 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Ohio (W, 26-23)
Week 7 matchup: Toledo (4-1, 1-0 MAC)

Central Michigan snapped its losing streak this week with a win over Ohio, who previously only had one loss on the season. The turnover battle made the difference in this game as Central Michigan forced four en route to its third win of the season.

Central Michigan's schedule doesn't get any easier, however, as it prepares to host Toledo, which has put up prolific offensive numbers all season long. This game will be the battle of starting quarterbacks as both Shane Morris of Central Michigan and Logan Woodside of Toledo enter the game with over 1,500 passing yards a piece.

Eastern Michigan 

Season record: 2-3, 0-2 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Toledo (L, 20-15)
Week 7 matchup: Army (4-2)

Eastern Michigan suffered another loss this week, this time it came from Toledo who advanced to 4-1 on the season with the win. Out of the three consecutive losses Eastern Michigan has suffered, none have them have been more than a touchdown difference.

This week, Eastern Michigan will travel outside of the MAC to play independent team Army on the road. Army is coming off a pair of win while Eastern Michigan, who won its first two games of the season, is currently on a three game skid.

Kent State 

Season record: 1-5, 0-2 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Northern Illinois (L, 24-3)
Week 7 matchup: Miami (2-4, 1-1 MAC)

Kent State struggled to get an offense going, finishing with just 131 total yards, against Northern Illinois on Saturday. In the process, the Golden Flashes committed four turnovers en route to its fifth loss of the season.

This week, Kent State returns home to play host to a Miami team that has lost three out of its last four games. Offensively, Miami seems to outmatch Kent State, averaging nearly 150 more yards per game, but those numbers could be skewed because of the two top 25 opponents Kent State has seen this season.

Miami (Ohio) 

Season record: 2-4, 1-1 MAC    
Week 6 matchup: Bowling Green (L, 37-29)
Week 7 matchup: Kent State (1-5, 0-2 MAC)

Miami was 1:21 away from its second conference win of the season until a bad snap caused a 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown for Bowling Green.

Coming off a loss, Miami is still favored in this week's matchup against Kent State, who sits at 1-5 on the season and winless in the conference. The RedHawks have nearly 150 more total yards per game than the Golden Flashes, although Kent State has played an arguably harder schedule up to this point.

Northern Illinois 

Season record: 3-2, 0-0 MAC   
Week 6 matchup: Kent State (W, 24-3)
Week 7 matchup: Buffalo (3-3, 1-1 MAC)

Northern Illinois handled Kent State at home, forcing four turnovers in its 24-3 victory. While the Huskies offensive stats weren't overly impressive, they did double Kent State in terms of total yards and improve their record to above .500 once again.

Northern Illinois plays Buffalo, a team that put up 68 points in week six, this week. Buffalo's high-powered offense, that averages nearly 430 total yards per game, meets the strong defense presented by Northern Illinois, that averages less than 261 yards per game, in this week seven matchup.

Ohio 

Season record: 4-2, 1-1 MAC    
Week 6 matchup: Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
Week 7 matchup: Bowling Green (1-5, 1-1 MAC)

After giving up a blocked field goal that went back for a Central Michigan touchdown, the wheels seemingly fell off for Ohio. The Bobcats, who still led going into halftime, were unable to come back against a pair of second half Chippewa touchdowns.

This week, Ohio is on the road against Bowling Green who won its first game of the season last week against Miami. Ohio appears to be the favorite though, as it is averaging 38 points per game while Bowling Green allows more than 34 points per game.

Toledo 

Season record: 4-1, 1-0 MAC    
Week 6 matchup: Eastern Michigan (W, 20-15)
Week 7 matchup: Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC)

It wasn't the most secure game, but Toledo once again found a way to win at home against Eastern Michigan. After going down 6-3 late in the first quarter, Toledo regained the lead and never relinquished it on the way to its 20-15 victory.

With its only loss coming by way of No. 14 Miami, Toledo continues to be one of the most prolific teams in the MAC. Senior quarterback Logan Woodside continues to lead the MAC with 1,635 passing yards and he's only played in five game thus far.

Western Michigan 

Season record: 4-2, 2-0 MAC    
Week 6 matchup: Buffalo (W, 71-68)
Week 7 matchup: Akron (3-3, 2-0 MAC)

Western Michigan once again put up the most points in the MAC this week, but this time it came with much more of a challenge. The Bronco's eventually won 71-68, but it took seven overtime periods and more than 640 yards of offense to get it done.

This week, Western Michigan returns home to take on the Akron Zips, the only other MAC team with a 2-0 record up to this point. Despite Akron's dominating win against Ball State last week, a team Western Michigan beat 55-3 at home, Western Michigan remains the heavy favorites.

Comments

More from The Daily






This Week's Digital Issue


Loading Recent Classifieds...