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12 Akron Zips (Last week: 12)
- High vote: 11 (four)
- Low vote: 12 (three)
- Average vote: 11.43
The Zips couldn't quite make it out of the cellar this week despite beating Bowling Green 35-20. Another win this week though, when they play a 2-4 Miami team, should be enough to push Akron out of the basement and into eleventh place.
11 Ohio Bobcats (LW: 11)
- High vote: 9 (once)
- Low vote: 12 (twice)
- Average vote: 10.86
The Bobcats hung tough with the Chippewas last week and, despite losing, Ohio was able to narrowly avoided falling into last place. It's been a tough season for Ohio and it won't get any easier as they play a strong Buffalo team.
10 Bowling Green Falcons (LW: t-6)
- High vote: 4 (once)
- Low vote: 12 (once)
- Average vote: 9.57
The Falcons had one of the largest drops this week, falling four spots into 10th place after losing to Akron last week. And this week could be another tough game for the Falcons as they head to DeKalb to take on the NIU Huskies, who have won both their conference games so far.
9 Miami RedHawks (LW: 8)
- High vote: 7 (once)
- Low vote: 10 (once)
- Average vote: 8.57
Miami lost a close one to EMU last week and it cost them a spot in our rankings. The RedHawks play Akron this week, so they should be able to get back on track and notch their third win.
8 Central Michigan Chippewas (LW: 9)
- High vote: 5 (once)
- Low vote: 10 (once)
- Average vote: 7.43
A narrow victory over Ohio helped push the Chips up a spot into eighth place this week. Central hasn't had quite the year they were expecting, starting 1-1 in MAC play and it won't get any easier this week when they face off against the Toledo Rockets.
7 Buffalo Bulls (LW: t-3)
- High vote: 5 (once)
- Low vote: 10 (once)
- Average vote: 7.0
The Bulls suffered one of the largest drops his week, falling from 3rd to seventh after losing to Kent State last weekend. They can make up ground again this week as they play a struggling Ohio team tomorrow.
6 Eastern Michigan Eagles (LW: 10)
- High vote: 3 (once)
- Low vote: 8 (three)
- Average vote: 6.64
After escaping the RedHawks with a win, the Eagles tied for largest jump this week, moving up four spots and into sixth place. However, they have a meeting with the reigning MAC Champs this week that won't be easy for EMU.
5 Toledo Rockets (LW: 2)
- High vote: 3 (once)
- Low vote: 7 (once)
- Average vote: 5.57
After falling to the Huskies at home, the Rockets fell three spots into fifth place. They'll look for their offense to get back on track this week...but it won't be a gimmie as they take on the stout defense of the Chippewas.
4 Ball State Cardinals (LW: t-6)
- High vote: 3 (twice)
- Low vote: 6 (once)
- Average vote: 4.57
After blowing out WMU last week, the Cardinals jumped up a few spots into fourth place. They showed that their 3-3 record isn't to be Trahan for granted and have a tough meeting with EMU this week, who, at 4-2, has one of the best overall records in the MAC.
3 Western Michigan Broncos (LW: 1)
- High vote: 2 (once)
- Low vote: 5 (twice)
- Average vote: 3.29
Despite losing to Ball State, the Broncos still remain high up in the rankings. They're sitting pretty in third right now but have another tough game ahead of them this weekend. They'll travel to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes in a cross-division game tomorrow.
2 Kent State Golden Flashes (LW: t-3)
- High vote: 1 (three)
- Low vote: 4 (once)
- Average vote: 2.0
The Flashes dropped one spot this week but still remain a favorite on nearly half the ballots. They have a tough test against the Broncos this week that will either help or hurt them come next week's ratings.
1 Northern Illinois Huskies (LW: 5)
- High vote: 1 (three)
- Low vote: 2 (four)
- Average vote: 1.57
NIU claims the top spot this week after squeaking out a win over the Rockets last weekend. The Huskies are one of two MAC teams with a perfect conference record after two games (with Kent State) and they have a game with the Falcons this week that should help keep them stay in one of the top spots.
Did we get it right? Did we get it wrong? Be sure to sound off in the comments section below, or at us on Twitter @HustleBelt!