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| Rank | Wk 4 Rank | Team | Record | Points | Notes from Week Five |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Western Michigan Broncos | 5-0 | 8 (8) | The Broncos are still perfect after an impressive 49-10 dismantling of CMU in Mount Pleasant. Jamauri Bogan was injured in the game, but Jarvion Franklin stepped in nicely as the Bronco offense didn't miss a beat. A date with NIU for homecoming is up next |
| 2 | 2 | Toledo Rockets | 3-1 | 17 | 55-53 loss you say? Sounds like Toledo was preparing itself for the Tuesday night feel a few weeks early. Even with the loss, the Rockets hold strong to the number two spot as a late loss to a pretty good BYU team isn't enough to declare any amount of trouble for Logan Woodside and company |
| 3 | 6 | Eastern Michigan Eagles | 4-1 | 31 | Your eyes do not deceive you. Chris Creighton has the Eagles 4-1, and what's weird is they are winning despite not playing a great brand of football. They turned the ball over four times against Wyoming, and they still don't quite know who should start at quarterback. Shaq Vann is injured for the season and Breck Turner doesn't seem to care. It's next man up at The Factory. Next team up? The Toledo Rockets for homecoming. |
| 4 | 4 | Akron Zips | 3-2 | 35 | The Zips took care of business against Kent State Saturday, but it took them a bit longer to do so than we all expected. Thomas Woodson was a late scratch due to a shoulder bruise, and coach Bowden could be taking it a bit easy on him in the midst of the Zips' easiest stretch of the season. One thing's for sure - this team won't win a MAC title with Woodson on the sidelines. |
| 5 | 3 | Central Michigan Chippewas | 3-2 | 36 | The Chippewas had everything they wanted. A night game on national television, a sold out crowd and their rival on the ropes early. Their 3-0 lead quickly evaporated as the Broncos chewed up clock and scored at will the rest of the night, as the defense put the clamps down on Cooper Rush and company. I guess you can't always get what you want. The shorthanded Chips host Ball State for homecoming this week, and open as large favorites. Could be just what the doctor ordered. |
| 6 | 7 | Ohio Bobcats | 3-2 | 43 | What should we make of Ohio? Their victory over rival Miami was not something to brag about. The offense showed little life, and a late defensive score is what the Bobcats needed to score more than 10 points against the RedHawks. And yet, here they sit at 3-2, preparing to host Bowling Green which will likely move them to 2-0 in MAC play |
| 7 | 5 | Ball State Cardinals | 3-2 | 57 | Either Northern Illinois has found its heartbeat with Anthony Maddie, or Ball State really has been over achieving in the out of conference season. The Cardinals surrendered hundreds of yards to Maddie himself, including a long, early touchdown run that featured plenty of missed tackles. The Cardinals head to Central Michigan this week where the Chippewas will be playing with an equivalent sense of urgency. |
| 8 | 12 | Northern Illinois Huskies | 1-4 | 68 | Now, this is more like it. Anthony Maddie has morphed into a classic NIU quarterback and has the Huskie offense looking dangerous. If Joel Boagnon and Kenny Golladay are clicking at the same time like they were in Saturday's 31-24 win over Ball State, the offensive unit could be tough to handle for any MAC defense. |
| 9 | 10 | Kent State Golden Flashes | 1-4 | 76 | Not even the heroic performance from Nick Holley could lift the Flashes to an upset victory. Shockingly enough, it was the defense that let Kent State down in the closing moments of the fourth quarter, allowing Akron to drive the field quickly and efficiently for the winning score. At this point, Paul Haynes could be coaching for his job, and a trip to an equally desperate Buffalo could be just what he needs to keep the ship afloat. |
| T10 | 8 | Miami RedHawks | 0-5 | 84 | Another close loss for the RedHawks in what has to be a frustrating year for Chuck Martin. The team has played well enough to win a couple of times and has certainly played up to its competition. The injury to Billy Bahl and his two interceptions before leaving the game really hurt Miami this week, and they'll need him to return strong to have any hope of salvaging this season. |
| T10 | 9 | Buffalo Bulls | 1-3 | 84 | Buffalo came back down to Earth. A week after beating Army, the Bulls were no match for Boston College on the road, who drubbed the Bulls 35-3. Tyree Jackson is struggling to keep up a high level of play, completing just nine passes in 21 attempts against the Eagles for just 42 yards. The challenge doesn't get much easier, going up against a Kent State defense that desperately needs a win this week. |
| T10 | 11 | Bowling Green Falcons | 1-4 | 84 | It was one of the MAC championship game participants in 2015 in the bottom of the rankings last week, and now Mike Jinks' squad replaces them as the second. A home loss to Eastern Michigan means one more winnable game is in the past, and the season , and now a win at Ohio seems almost necessary to stay afloat in the MAC East. |