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Very few MAC squads have shown any consistency this year so far and, because of that, it has been hard for us to peg down the rankings. The last two spots are the only ones that have remained the same but, once again, we see a shuffling in the rest of the field.
So, let’s cut to the chase and reveal the rankings.
12. Akron Zips (Last week: 12)
- Average vote: 11.57
- Highest vote: 10 (one)
- Lowest vote: 12 (five)
Akron is now 0-4 after losing to Troy 35-7 this week. However, if there is one bright spot for the Zips, its that they were no longer the unanimous last place pick from our staff. They picked up a tenth place and an eleventh place vote this week. So that’s something, right?
11. Bowling Green Falcons (LW: 11)
- Average vote: 11.29
- Highest vote: 11 (five)
- Lowest vote: 12 (two)
After a blowout loss to Kent State last week the Falcons slipped to 1-3 and just barely hung on to 11th place in our rankings. BGSU lost by 42 points to a team we ranked just one spot ahead of them (#10) last week...they’re lucky they didn’t drop below Akron after that performance.
10. Miami RedHawks (LW: 6)
- Average vote: 9.14
- Highest vote: 7 (one)
- Lowest vote: 11 (one)
Miami was this week’s biggest loser, dropping four spots to tenth place, after their 76-5 loss at Ohio State. It started off good, as the RedHawks went out to a 5-0 lead but it fell apart quickly as they surrendered 76 unanswered points to the Buckeyes and dropped to 1-3.
9. Kent State Golden Flashes (LW: 10)
- Average vote: 8.71
- Highest vote: 7 (two)
- Lowest vote: 10 (three)
Kent State jumps up one spot to ninth after their dominating win over Bowling Green. But some voters were cautious to give the 2-2 Golden Flashes too much credit, as they still received three 10th place votes.
8. Ball State Cardinals (LW: 8)
- Average vote: 8.43
- Highest vote: 8 (four)
- Lowest vote: 9 (three)
The Cardinals, who are now 1-3, were one of the few teams to stay in their spot from last week. The 23-34 loss to NC State was a valiant effort but not enough to push them any higher in our poll.
7. Central Michigan Chippewas (LW: 9)
- Average vote: 7.29
- Highest vote: 4 (one)
- Lowest vote: 9 (three)
CMU jumped up two spots after playing the Miami Hurricanes tough. They might have lost and dropped to 2-2 but the Chips showed they are a solid team, as they held an ACC squad to just 17 points.
T5. Ohio Bobcats (LW: 2)
- Average vote: 4.86
- Highest vote: 4 (two)
- Lowest vote: 6 (one)
The Bobcats dropped to a 1-3 record after getting manhandled 45-25 by the Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns. And the voters took notice. After being a top two team for the first three weeks, Ohio tumbled three spots and failed to receive a vote in the top three.
T5. Northern Illinois Huskies (LW: 5)
- Average vote: 4.86
- Highest vote: 3 (one)
- Lowest vote: 6 (three)
The Huskies had a bye-week last Saturday so voters couldn’t get much more of a read on this NIU team that has potential to be great (but has only shown that in spurts). This week’s match up against Vanderbilt might show us more about where this program is heading.
4. Buffalo Bulls (LW: 7)
- Average vote: 4.43
- Highest vote: 3 (four)
- Lowest vote: 7 (one)
The Bulls were the biggest winner this week. They took down Rod Carey’s Temple Owls easily (38-22) and jumped three spots in the rankings. Both their wins have come at home though, so we’ll have to see how they fare this week when they travel to Ohio to take on Miami in their MAC opener.
3. Eastern Michigan Eagles (LW: 3)
- Average vote: 3.43
- Highest vote: 2 (three)
- Lowest vote: 7 (one)
Eastern stays put in third place after a thrilling victory over Central Connecticut. While the Eagles (3-1) needed to block a punt and return it for a TD with 10 seconds left in order to beat an FCS team (that they were favored to beat by 30+ points)...doing it with that kind of flair and style is something uniquely Eastern Michigan.
2. Western Michigan Broncos (LW: 4)
- Average vote: 3
- Highest vote: 2 (three)
- Lowest vote: 5 (one)
The Broncos might have lost to Syracuse 33-52 but their showing (and Ohio’s flat performance) was enough to bump them up to second place. LeVante Bellamy averaged 11 yards per carry and Jon Wassink threw for over 350 yards and two scores, putting MAC defenses on notice.
1. Toledo Rockets (LW: 1)
- Unanimous #1
The Rockets claimed the top spot last week and then solidified it this week, as every voter had them as the best in the MAC. Their 41-35 win over Colorado State was a thriller that ended well after midnight in Ohio and kept every viewer on the edge of their seat until the very end. #MACtion at its finest.