Mid-American Conference
Still In the Hunt: Buffalo, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Ball State, Toledo
Elimination Mode: Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan
It would seem that we have clear favorites in both divisions with Buffalo in the East, and Northern Illinois in the West, but Western Michigan is making a case now in the West, despite almost losing to hapless Central Michigan last weekend. How serious are the chasers that are still hanging around?
Buffalo: The Bulls are in cruise mode in the East right now at 3-0, but Miami is hanging just back of them with a 3-1 record in league play. The Bulls rolled to a 24-6 win over Akron last weekend to put the Zips into the elimination category, and the next 2 games will tell a real story, as Buffalo travels to Toledo this week, and then gets Miami at home the following week. Ohio is a road trip on 11/14. The Red Hawks and Bobcats need to hold on, and then need to take care of their business when given their shots, but the Bulls should be favored across the board with their remaining schedule.
Miami (OH): Nothing happens in league play this week, as Miami takes on Army in New York. The Hawks have not played either Buffalo or Ohio yet, so the bigger challenges are coming up. Miami does have a loss to Western Michigan, but that doe snot effect how the East will play out, luckily. The next 4 weeks see the Grinder in action, as Miami gets Army, Buffalo, Ohio, and Northern Illinois, before wrapping against Ball State. A mountain awaits. The Buffalo game, like the Army game, is a road trip.
Ohio: The Bobcats have been wildly inconsistent this season, and they have a loss to Northern Illinois, which again, should not effect the East race. They should get a big break this week, as they take on Bowling Green with a new head coach. Ball State is a game that Ohio should win the following week, but Western Michigan and Miami U take place the following 2 weeks, and both games are on the road, before Ohio returns to Athens to face Buffalo. That's a tough stretch.
Northern Illinois: The Huskies are 4-0 in MAC play, but have a bye this week, followed by a date with BYU out of conference the week after. They hold a key win over Ball State in the division already, and beaten Ohio out of division in MAC play. They should be favored against Akron when they return to MAC play on 11/1, but then they get the gauntlet of games against Toledo, Miami U, and Western Michigan, which could be for the division title. The picture is still fluid for the Huskies, but they have been rock solid in conference play.
Western Michigan: The Broncos have 5 straight wins to their credit, and are 3-0 in league play. They are clear favorites this week at Central Michigan, but then they get back to back home dates against Toledo and Ohio, which could get interesting. The Broncos should be favored over Ball State still, and then comes the finale against Northern Illinois.
Ball State: Ball State faces a 5 week gauntlet that should eliminate them from the race as early as this week, when they take on Eastern Michigan, who is in a clear spoiler role now. The Cardinals play on the road 3 of their final 4 games, and that should put the bullet in their dreams for good.
Toledo: The Rockets have been in rebuild mode this season, but they still have a road in the race in the West. I see the Rockets more in a spoiler role moving forward, but they have a chance to rock the boat, with games against 4 current contenders in their final 6 games scheduled. Toledo will have an imprint on who wins this thing, even if it isn't them.
Bowl Eligible: Buffalo
Can Become Bowl Eligible With Next Win: Western Michigan
Bowl Ineligible: None
Becomes Bowl Ineligible With Next Loss: Bowling Green, Kent State, Central Michigan
Coaches On the Hot Seat: Chuck Martin, Miami (OH); Mike Neu, Ball State; Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan
Coach Already Fired: Mike Jinks, Bowling Green
Top Week 8 Games: Miami (Ohio) at Army; Buffalo at Toledo
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