Each week throughout the football season, The Daily News runs through the Mid-American Conference, recapping the previous week and looking ahead to this week’s games.
In the non-conference schedule, the Mid-American Conference West Division outplayed the East for the most part, but after week three, East schools are undefeated in the two conference games played thus far.
This week will be the real test, however, as all but two MAC programs — Northern Illinois and Toledo — will have played a conference game after this week.
Here’s the MAC Rundown for week four of the college football season:
Akron Zips
Season record: 1-3, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Troy (L, 22-17)
Week 5 matchup: Bowling Green (0-4, 0-0 MAC)
Entering as 15.5 point underdogs, Akron was 5:37 away from upsetting Troy on the road. But a last-minute touchdown pass from Deondre Douglas to Brandon Silvers sealed the deal for the Trojans as they went on to win their third game of the year 22-17.
Akron opens up MAC play this weekend against Bowling Green University (0-4). Both offenses are even through four weeks of play averaging 330 yards per game a piece.
Ball State
Season record: 2-2, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Western Kentucky (L, 33-21)
Week 5 matchup: Western Michigan (2-2, 0-0 MAC)
Entering week four on the road, Ball State was without quarterback Riley Neal, running back James Gilbert, offensive lineman Vinnie Palazeti and cornerback Marc Walton. The disadvantage of veteran players proved to be too much for the Cardinals who went on to lose 33-21.
This week, Ball State is on the road once again, heading to Kalamazoo, Michigan to open up MAC play against Western Michigan (2-2). After starting 2-2, Western Michigan is coming off two home wins against Idaho and Wagner.
Bowling Green
Season record: 0-4, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Middle Tennessee (L, 24-13)
Week 5 matchup: Akron (1-3, 0-0 MAC)
From beginning to end, Middle Tennessee State handled the game, putting up 533 yards of offense en route to its 24-13 win over Bowling Green. The Falcons could not capitalize on three turnovers, dropping their fourth straight game of the season.
Bowling Green will look for its first win this weekend as they host MAC rival Akron (1-3). So far this season, the Falcons have only averaged 14.3 points per game compared to their 35.8 points against average.
Buffalo
Season record: 2-2, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Florida Atlantic (W, 34-31)
Week 5 matchup: Kent State (1-3, 0-0 MAC)
After starting quarterback Tyree Jackson went out at halftime for Buffalo, it was all up to backup quarterback Drew Anderson to keep the Bulls in the game. Anderson threw his first career touchdown pass with 2:37 on the clock to put Buffalo up 34-24, a lead it would not relinquish in the last few minutes of the game.
This week, Buffalo enters MAC play on the road as favorites against Kent State (1-3). So far this season, Kent State has given up 37.5 points per game, but have played two top 25 opponents in the first four weeks of play.
Central Michigan
Season record: 2-2, 0-1 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Miami (L, 31-14)
Week 5 matchup: Boston College (1-3)
Central Michigan began the season 2-0, but have dropped its past two games including a loss to MAC opponent Miami (2-2). While Central Michigan only gave up 3 points in the second half against Miami, it wasn't able to bounce back from the 28 points it gave up in the first two quarters.
Central Michigan is on the road this weekend playing against a Boston College team who's lost its past three games after beating Northern Illinois 23-20 in week one. The Chippewas high-powered offense - that averages 454 yards per game - will look to take advantage of a Boston College team that has given up more than 442 yards per game this season.
Eastern Michigan
Season record: 2-1, 0-1 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Ohio (L, 27-20)
Week 5 matchup: Kentucky (3-1)
Eastern Michigan was handed its first loss of the season against MAC opponent Ohio (3-1) in double-overtime. After answering the Bobcats first touchdown in overtime, the Eagles were unable to tie the game up in its second overtime possession.
Eastern Michigan travels to Commonwealth Stadium to face off against Kentucky (3-1). Kentucky is coming off a 28-27 loss against No. 20 Florida last week.
Kent State
Season record: 1-3, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: No. 19 Louisville (L, 42-3)
Week 5 matchup: Buffalo (2-2, 0-0 MAC)
Kent State suffered its third loss of the season by hands of No. 19 Louisville (3-1) in week four. While the Golden Flashes forced four turnovers, they were unable to move the ball against Louisville, gaining just 150 total yards in the game.
Kent State opens up MAC play at home against Buffalo who is coming off two wins. While the Golden Flashes have struggled to put up a lot of points in its first four games, they did play two top 25 opponents thus far.
Miami (Ohio)
Season record: 2-2, 1-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Central Michigan (W, 31-14)
Week 5 matchup: No. 22 Notre Dame (3-1)
After a heartbreaking loss against Cincinnati in week three, Miami bounced back with a 31-14 win over MAC opponent Central Michigan. RedHawk quarterback Gus Ragland finished the game with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown against the Chippewas.
Miami travels to South Bend this weekend to take on No. 22 Notre Dame, who is coming off a 20-point win against rival Michigan State last week. So far this season, the Fighting Irish have averaged 459.5 yards per game against a relatively tough schedule.
Northern Illinois
Season record: 2-1, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Bye Week
Week 5 matchup: No. 19 San Diego State (4-0)
Northern Illinois did not play a game in week four of the college football regular season.
After being named National College Football Team of the week in week three, Northern Illinois comes off a bye week to take on No. 19 San Diego State (4-0). At the time of publication, San Diego State is favored by 12 points in the matchup.
Ohio
Season record: 3-1, 1-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Eastern Michigan (W, 27-20)
Week 5 matchup: Massachusetts (0-5)
Ohio was able to hold on against MAC opponent Eastern Michigan in double-overtime, winning 27-20. After being silenced during the first four quarters of play, Ohio's offense scored its first two touchdowns of the game in overtime.
Ohio hits the road this weekend to take on Massachusetts, who is winless in its first five games of the regular season. Quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back A.J. Ouellette will look to match the Minutemen's prolific offensive attack this week.
Toledo
Season record: 3-1, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: No. 14 Miami (L, 52-30)
Week 5 matchup: Bye Week
After giving up 10 points in the first quarter, Toledo responded with 16 straight points to go in with a lead at halftime. But No. 14 Miami (2-0) responded with six second half touchdowns on the way to its second win of the season.
Toledo does not play a game in week five of the regular season, it returns in week six opening up MAC play against Eastern Michigan.
Western Michigan
Season record: 2-2, 0-0 MAC
Week 4 matchup: Wagner (W, 49-14)
Week 5 matchup: Ball State (2-2, 0-0 MAC)
Western Michigan won its second game of the season against Football Conference Subdivision opponent Wagner. Five different Bronco players finished with a touchdown in the 49-14 win at home.
Western Michigan hosts MAC opponent Ball State (2-2) this weekend. After losing games to No. 4 USC and Michigan State on the road in the first two weeks, Western Michigan is 2-0 at home this season.
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