So we've finished week six and we already have a lot to work with to determine how the division race will shake out. Basically, Ohio is in very good shape.

Bowling Green and Akron are bad. They are both in year one of total system rebuilds. Kent is not bad but not good either. I think their murderer's row OOC schedule does them no favors outside of paychecks. They were not walloped by Arizona St, but just how much does getting clobbered by Auburn and Wisconsin help you understand your strengths so you can build on them? Beating BG by 42 is nice, but again, BG is bad.

Buffalo is just about dead as disco. Losses to Miami and Ohio in the first two conference outings mean that even if they win out, they need Miami and Ohio to lose three games apiece to clinch the division. A very tall task as they have as bad of a MAC West crossover as you can get with games against Central, Eastern and Toledo remaining. Ouch!

I think this is coming down to Miami and Ohio. We share the same West crossovers and with the West being so strong this year, our slates are fortunately much easier than someone like Buffalo. NIU is in disarray. Ball State can score points but they give up a lot as well. I watched their FAU game and was not impressed; they lack the extra toughness to overcome if you force them into mistakes. That game in Muncie will be challenging, but I'm confident we are better. WMU is solid and will be in a bowl game to close the season. Miami plays them in KZoo this week and we get them at home later. The Broncos will be doing Ohio a huge service if they can beat Miami.

Can't take any game for granted, obviously, but November 6 in Athens is looming as a potential de facto MAC East championship game.

Good work. Agreed the Ohio/Miami game looms large as the tiebreaker that creates is huge. It is feasible we beat Miami but drop 2 others...Miami would have to go undefeated against everyone else in that scenario to get the East.

Definitely got the more favorable schedule flip having Western at home this year. They are maybe just a tad more stout than last year :)

People on the board keep saying this and Rourke was certainly special last year. I guess you can blame the people around him, but he hasn't looked historically great yet this season. He's currently 69th in total QBR in the NCAA. Still plenty of season for things to change, but he's gotta keep improving for this team to contend.

Mediocre team is a team that can scratch out enough wins to make a bowl game but doesn't have anything on the roster to suggest a likelihood of winning a bowl game. This I don't think fits Ohio's definition since they have Rourke. He gives Ohio a chance in a MACC that goes beyond the computer ratings. Look at the parity out there. Georgia St defeats Tennessee and then is smoked by Western Michigan. Temple is 4-1 with a loss to Buffalo. Pitt a second division ACC team takes out UCF and only loses to Penn State by 7. There is a lot of parity but the distinguishing feature for a G5 program is the ability to win a bowl game and Rourke has done that twice so I can't see Ohio as mediocre.

+1

I was the fastest of the slow kids in 1st grade

Whoda thought that Kent and Ball St would be the last two unbeatens in the MAC this year?

+1

I’m not surprised at all about Kent State based on who they played, but I am a little surprised about Ball State. But Kent State will for sure be dealt a loss tomorrow.

The bobcats have to take the next 3 MAC games (Kent, Ball, Miami) before I'm ready to think division & bowl game with any confidence. Drop even one of those games and its 4-5 with 2 MAC losses.

I was fairly impressed with Kent State's play calling today. This Kent team has a real possibility of making a bowl game out of the MAC this season which buys that staff more time to get a program established in there.

I simply can’t see Ohio losing to any East school. If so, if Ohio finished tied it would own the tiebreaker anyway. I’m 100% convinced Ohio will be in Detroit. So much so I’ve already booked a room.