Some movement at the bottom of the standings, while EMU's win sets up a week eight top-five showdown in Kalamazoo
Rank
Wk 6 Rank
Team
Record
Points
Notes from Week Seven
1
1
Western Michigan Broncos
7-0
9 (9)
Akron learned that it's probably not a good idea to burn any of P.J. Fleck's metaphors before the game. The Broncos rolled to a 41-0 victory over the Zips behind an all time performance from Jarvion Franklin.
2
2
Toledo Rockets
5-1
18
Toledo's the unanimous number two even following a head scratching performance against rival Bowling Green. A win is a win, of course, but when you're favored by more than four touchdowns, it's tough for fans to feel great about winning by just one.
3
4
Central Michigan Chippewas
5-2
31
The Chips own NIU. It's now three years in a row Central Michigan has beaten the Huskies, and this time it took three overtimes to do so. Jon Bonamego's squad has won two straight following their MAC opening loss to WMU, but have not done so comfortably. Toledo awaits in the Glass Bowl next week, a MAC West elimination game of sorts.
4
6
Eastern Michigan Eagles
5-2
34
The Eagles just won their third road game in a row for the first time since 1967, which sources have confirmed was a long time ago. Their reward? A trip to Waldo Stadium to take on the ranked Broncos. As three touchdown underdogs, a win would be a tremendous upset for a program on the rise
T5
3
Akron Zips
4-3
55
The Zips are missing Thomas Woodson, but I'm not sure even his presence could erase a 41 point deficit. Fortunately for Akron, Ball State is next up on the schedule and won't present the same challenges defensively the Broncos do
T5
5
Ohio Bobcats
4-3
55
Fitting that the Bobcats and Zips find themselves tied in the standings and in our power rankings. A loss to Eastern Michigan isn't the same as it used to be, but it was a huge missed opportunity in the East division with Akron's loss. This week against Kent State is a must win if Ohio is to be serious contenders for the division crown.
7
7
Ball State
4-3
59
James Gilbert is an absolute handful, as Buffalo found out on Saturday. The Cardinals got off to a slow start, but asserted themselves in the second half onto a 10 point win over the Bulls. The Neu Era continues Saturday at home vs. Akron, where Mike Neu's squad finds themselves favored.
8
8
Northern Illinois Huskies
1-6
66
The Huskies were fighting for perhaps their bowl eligibility lives against CMU, but came up short in triple overtime. The heartbreaking loss is the sixth of the season, and NIU's hopes for a 7th straight MAC West title are now the grimmest they've been in nearly a decade, at least this early in conference play.
9
12
Miami RedHawks
1-6
87
Boy, did the RedHawks need a win badly this week. Beating Kent State isn't exactly a measuring stick game of any sort, but it does prove there's plenty of fight in Chuck Martin's squad. With a favorable schedule upcoming, Miami might begin to show the progress we've been waiting for all season.
10
9
Kent State Golden Flashes
2-5
88
Losing to Miami is tough for the Flashes, who were starting to pick up steam in the MAC East. A near win over Akron and an offensive explosion against Buffalo had some thinking this was still a dark horse candidate to compete near the top of the MAC East, but at 1-2, those dreams may be dashed even in this division.
11
10
Bowling Green Falcons
1-6
94
Beating Toledo would have been an unlikely result of Saturday's Battle of I75, but Mike Jinks' squad nearly did just that. The career game out of quarterback James Morgan led the Falcons to the near upset in the annual rivalry, but was not quite enough. Still, the improvement out of the team must be a welcome sight for Falcon fans.
12
11
Buffalo Bulls
1-5
106
Basketball season is almost here, Bulls fans. Tyree Jackson is pretty good though, so there's that!