Week 10 for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) once again saw a few contenders switch places inside the top of the standings, even with the first ‘mid-week MACtion’ games of the season showcasing a rematch of last year’s championship matchup. With the results come new outlooks for each of the top programs and what they must do to reach Detroit, Michigan, by year’s end.
Here is the new outlook for Around The MAC:
The RedHawks’ streak ends
All eyes were on Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday night when the Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) took on the only remaining undefeated team in the Miami (OH) RedHawks (5-4, 4-1).
Despite Miami displaying 303 total yards of offense, Ohio would pull through in the back-and-forth battle, winning the ‘Battle of the Bricks’, 24-20. The Bobcats now jump to first in the standings heading into week 11.
For Miami, their undefeated streak in conference play comes to an end. While only falling to third, they cannot suffer another loss throughout the rest of the way. The challenge will begin with the Chuck Martin-led squad returning home to face the Toledo Rockets (4-4, 2-2) in week 11.
Buffalo Bounces Back
A weekend of redemption was the recipe for the Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 4-1) with a 28-3 trouncing against the Bowling Green Falcons (3-6, 1-4).
The game would also see senior linebacker Red Murdock break an NCAA record with his 17th career forced fumble on Saturday. The performance from the senior also saw 13 tackles, one and a half tackles for loss, and a sack, earning MAC defensive player of the week honors.
The win now puts the Bulls back in second in the standings, but their path for Detroit will have a new challenge at hand, as they will once again be on the road, facing the Central Michigan Chippewas (5-4, 3-2) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Chippewas fall to Western Michigan
Sticking with the Chippewas, Matt Drinkall’s led squad now falls to fifth with a loss to their in-state rival in the Western Michigan Broncos (5-4, 4-1), 24-21.
Central Michigan now suffers their second conference loss of the season, their first being back on Oct. 4 against the Akron Zips (4-6, 3-3), 28-22.
For Western Michigan, despite jumping back into fourth in the standings, greater challenges lie ahead as they will face the aforementioned Bobcats squad at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Tuesday. Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Back-to-back wins could make the path to the title game a little more clearer, but going up against the second-best offense in the conference will be a challenge throughout all four quarters.
