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There were a lot of BYE weeks for the fifth week of games, which is never any fun in terms of trying to figure out which programs stand where.
That said, for the teams who did end up playing, there were several takeaways for them, including several drops and one meteoric rise from the bottom of the standings.
Next week, with a full slate of games for the most part, it should be a lot easier to parse out the power rankings, but for now, we give you where the voters stand:
12. Akron Zips (Last week: 12)
- Average vote: 11.57
- Highest vote: 10 (one)
- Lowest vote: 12 (five)
The Zips fell to 0-5 after losing by multiple scores to fellow winless team UMass on the road. It was a brutal game for Akron, as they lost several key pieces to injury, including starting QB Kato Nelson. Not all is lost: they found some true freshmen who made major contributors in a comeback effort late in the game. They’ll look to keep building up to a few positive performances.
11. Bowling Green Falcons (LW: 11)
- Average vote: 11.29
- Highest vote: 11 (five)
- Lowest vote: 12 (two)
The feeling is still the same around BGSU, and a BYE week after losing to Kent State in blowout fashion doesn’t really help. Especially with Notre Dame lurking on the schedule. It’s a tough time to be a fan of the Falcons.
10. Kent State Golden Flashes (LW: 9)
- Average vote: 9
- Highest vote: 6 (one)
- Lowest vote: 10 (three)
Kent State was on a BYE (spoiler alert: a lot of teams this week were!) this week after putting up a sixty-burger on BGSU after struggling in their prior games to score more than 20 points. Despite that, they fall a spot. You’ll see why as you read down.
9. Ball State Cardinals (LW: 8)
- Average vote: 8.57
- Highest vote: 8 (four)
- Lowest vote: 10 (one)
Ball State was on a BYE, and fall victim to a big jump in our rankings. They’ll likely hover in the 7-10 range until they can show themselves capable of not stepping on their own feet.
8. Central Michigan Chippewas (LW: 7)
- Average vote: 8
- Highest vote: 5 (one)
- Lowest vote: 10 (twice)
CMU was undisciplined and unable to take advantage of many of the opportunities presented to them in a 31-15 loss to WMU on the road. They actually outperformed WMU in total offense, even despite the score, but the defense regressed significantly after a great performance vs. the ‘Canes.
They fall to eighth and on the outside looking in. If they can get started on the right foot against EMU, the rest of the schedule could be favorable.
7. Miami RedHawks (LW: 10)
- Average vote: 7.14
- Highest vote: 5 (twice)
- Lowest vote: 11 (once)
Miami had to scrap their way to a victory against Buffalo on Saturday, and it worked! They jump three spots in our Power Rankings and are our biggest mover of the week. Now they’ve got an all-important divisional win in a wide-open MAC East and will continue to build upon some momentum. (That’s been difficult for a handful of teams in recent weeks.)
6. Buffalo Bulls (LW: 4)
- Average vote: 6
- Highest vote: 3 (one)
- Lowest vote: 8 (one)
The Buffalo Bulls, like a few other teams in the middle of these rankings, have been extremely inconsistent in their results. When the Bulls win, they do so in relatively convincing fashion. When they lose, it’s generally in a very sloppy and ugly way. Lance Leipold will have a big question to answer in the way of QB health, as Matt Myers was injured during the Miami game, forcing backup QB/starting punter Kyle VanTrese to play in relief.
t-4. Northern Illinois Huskies (LW: 5)
- Average vote: 4.571
- Highest vote: 4 (three)
- Lowest vote: 7 (one)
NIU braved the Nashville weather to face the Commodores, and fought valiently in a one-score loss to an SEC opponent. Their record, currently at 1-3, isn’t the greatest thing in the world, but our voters seem to believe the Huskies will find themselves again as the conference season unfolds. It’s happened before.
t-4. Ohio Bobats (LW: t-5)
- Average vote: 4.571
- Highest vote: 4 (four)
- Lowest vote: 6 (one)
Ohio also found themselves in a BYE week, but jump up due to movement elsewhere. The voters have a lot of confidence in the Bobcats to figure themselves out, as they’re far and away the most talented team in the MAC East division currently.
3. Eastern Michigan Eagles (LW: 3)
- Average vote: 3.85
- Highest vote: 2 (three)
- Lowest vote: 7 (one)
It was a BYE week for EMU, so they hold on to the third spot for now, as no other teams really showed themselves to be able to advance up to this point.
2. Western Michigan Broncos (LW: 2)
- Average vote: 2.42
- Highest vote: 2 (four)
- Lowest vote: 3 (three)
WMU proved they have staying power at the second spot in our rankings with a relatively convincing victory over rival CMU. LeVante Bellamy eclipsed over 100 yards for a third striaght game and also picked up a touchdown to go up to six on the season, while Jon Wassink didn’t get touched once a week after CMU got to Miami (FL) for four sacks in Week 4.
WMU has set themselves up nicely and seem to have momentum heading into the true MAC season.
1. Toledo Rockets (LW: 1)
- Unanimous #1
It’s the third week in a row the Rockets have topped our MAC power rankings, and with good reason. They’re 3-1, with their only loss to Kentucky, and hold wins over Colorado State and BYU, two strong Group of Five teams.
They’ve been a dependable product in an otherwise down conference in 2019, which is why they’re up on the top spot for now.