Six teams got off to winning starts last week as Mid-American conference play began. Even the losing teams, however, can still dream of a championship. Since the first week featured inter-division play, this week marks the first of five intra-divisional matchups. Any team that can run the table with five straight wins will make the championship game in Detroit.
East Division teams had the spotlight Tuesday. Wednesday features the West Division.
Western Michigan hosts Toledo Wednesday in a game that could eventually decide the West Division title. Both teams were big winners last week.
Central Michigan opened as a winner and visits Northern Illinois Wednesday. Eastern Michigan is at Ball State, while the Cardinals hope to bounce back from a last-minute loss at Miami last week.
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Waldo Stadium -- Kalamazoo, MI
Wednesday, Nov. 11 -- 8 p.m. ET
ESPN
One vote!
That’s how much stood between Toledo and Western Michigan in this year’s preseason MAC Coaches Poll. Those two teams, both coming off opening night victories, will face off Wednesday.
Both teams have serious offensive weapons and can bring the defense, as well. Toledo rolled to a 38-3 win over Bowling Green in the opener. Western Michigan rolled past Akron 58-13 on the road.
Sophomore Kaleb Ellerby completed 12-of-16 passes for 262 yards and three TDs. Two went to Dewayne Eskrisdge, with one covering 76 yards. Jaylen Hall had just one catch, but that covered 68 yards.
The Broncos’ run game also shined, totaling 218 yards with four TDs - one each by four different backs. Ladarius Jefferson and Sean Tyler combined for 18 carries and 138 yards.
Toledo, meanwhile, filled up 524 yards of offense on neighboring Bowling Green. It also took advantage of a 3-1 turnover margin.
Quarterback Eli Peters tossed four TDs to four different receivers. Shakif Seymour (13 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD) and Bryant Koback (21 carries, 74 yards) led a ground attack that amassed 310 yards. Peters was able to add 67 yards on six carries to supplement the Rockets’ attack.
Eastern Michigan at Ball State
Wednesday, Nov. 11 -- 7 p.m. ET
Scheumann Stadium -- Muncie, IN
CBSSN
Two teams coming off close losses battle for a first win of 2020 when the Eagles and Cardinals meet in what could be another close encounter. Last year’s meeting was settled when Jordan Williams strip-sacked Eastern Michigan quarterback Mike Glass with one second left. That nailed down a 29-23 BSU victory.
As with last year, both teams have potent offensive weapons. Ball State put up 31 in a 38-31 loss at Miami last week. Eastern Michigan fell to Kent State 27-23 on the road.
After spotting KSU 13 points, the Eagles scored 23 of the next 30 points. However, Kent State tallied one more TD midway through the fourth quarter and held off Eastern down the stretch.
Junior QB Preston Hutchinson started the Eagles post-Mike Glass III era by completing 21-of-35 tosses for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off twice.
Another issue for the Green and White was its ground game. EMU totaled just 61 yards against a stiff Kent State defense. The Eagles defense, meanwhile, was led by Terry Myrick with 10 stops. Alvinoski Lafleur had an interception.
Ball State, meanwhile, demonstrated just how explosive its offense can be in last week’s loss against Miami. The Cardinals totaled 478 yards. Veteran Drew Plitt provided 309 through the air. That included a 66-yard TD bomb to ever-dangerous Justin Hall.
Ball State also demonstrated a healthy ground game, picking up169 rushing yards. Caleb Huntley carried 21 times, producing 130 yards and a pair of TDs.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 - 7 p.m. ET
Huskie Stadium - DeKalb, Il
ESPN
Northern Illinois had its work cut out for it just trying to stop a dynamic Buffalo Bulls offense. Committing five turnovers, however, turned that challenge into an insurmountable mountain. Buffalo led 49-16 before two late Huskie touchdowns.
Central Michigan, meanwhile, had zero turnovers in a close win over Ohio. Quinten Dormady has moved on, and Daniel Richardson is behind center this year. He completed 23-of-41 for 243 yards with one score against the Bobcats. Kalil Pimpleton led CMU receivers with five catches for 65 yards with one TD. However, five different receivers had at least three receptions as Richardson spread the ball around.
Junior Kobe Lewis got the bulk of CMU’s running workload, carrying 28 times for 112 yards with two scores.
Defensively, the Chippewas pounced on two Ohio fumbles. However, the special teams kick return defense did give up 160 yards. One was a 93-yard TD gallop by Demontre Tuggle.