Entering week seven of the college football season, Ball State is two games behind Central Michigan for first place in the MAC West. However, more surprising than the western division is the MAC East, where traditional doormat Buffalo Bulls are undefeated in divisional play and holds a claim to first place mid-way the season.
WEST
Ball State (3-3)KEY PLAYER: Nate Davis, quarterbackSTATS: 1,640 yards, 15 touchdowns
Central Michigan (3-3)The Chippewas are banking on the arm and legs of LeFevour, who threw for 360 yards and ran for 146 against Ball State's defence. However, he gained half that in a loss to North Dakota State. Despite having the conference's last-ranked defence, Central Michigan is undefeated in MAC play.
KEY PLAYER: Dan LeFevour, quarterbackSTATS: 1,498 yards, 15 touchdowns
Eastern Michigan (2-4)The Eagles have played two games at home this season, and two of their losses have come against BCS-conference schools Vanderbilt University and the University Michigan. Eastern Michigan's defense is the best in the MAC West, and Daniel Holtzclaw leads all defensive players in the conference with 68 total tackles.
KEY PLAYER: Daniel Holtzclaw, linebackerSTATS: 32 solo tackles
Northern Illinois (1-5)After a trip to the Motor City Bowl in 2006, the Huskies have struggled to find the success of recent seasons. Justin Anderson has filled in for 2006 All-American Garrett Wolfe, ranking second in the MAC in rushing yards, but the team ranks last in turnover margin at minus 11.
KEY PLAYER: Justin Anderson, running backSTATS: 726 yards, Six touchdowns
Toledo (2-4)Toledo has won its two games by a combined total of two points. In both games, the Rockets scored a go-ahead touchdown with fewer than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Toledo ranks last in the MAC in points allowed, and allows more than 220 yards per game through the air.
KEY PLAYER: Jalen Parmele, running backSTATS: 620 yards, Six touchdowns
Western Michigan (2-4)After starting the season by losing to then-No. 3 West Virginia 62-24, the Broncos have built their offense into the second-highest scoring offense in the MAC. Despite having an overall losing record, Western Michigan is .500 in the MAC thanks to a 42-28 win against Toledo. The Broncos have yet to face either Central Michigan or Ball State, which will bring their top rated MAC quarterbacks to face Western Michigan's 11-ranked defense in the MAC.
KEY PLAYER: Jamarko Simmons, wide receiverSTATS: 55 receptions, 639 yards
EAST
Akron (3-3) KEY PLAYER: STATS:Bowling Green (3-2)The Falcons have the top-ranked passing game in the MAC, with quarterback Tyler Sheehan averaging 352.7 passing yards per game and 86.2 rushing yards. Bowling Green faces four division teams in the remainder of its schedule, including three games on the road.
KEY PLAYER: Tyler Sheehan, quarterbackSTATS: 1,579 yards, 11 touchdowns
Buffalo (2-4)The Bulls have the third-ranked overall defense in the conference, allowing 380.2 yards per game and 163.8 yards rushing. On offense, Buffalo is fifth in the MAC in pass efficiency, and averages 337.2 yards per game.
KEY PLAYER: James Starkes, running backSTATS: Nine touchdowns
Kent State (3-3)Kent State's rushing game is the strongest of all of the MAC ground games, averaging 40 more yards than the seconded-ranked team, Ball State. In addition, the Golden Flashes possess the best overall defense, allowing 332.7 yards per game.
KEY PLAYER: Eugene Jarvis, running backSTATS: 851 yrds, Eight touchdowns
Miami (3-3)After a 14-13 victory against Ball State in the season-opener, the RedHawks lost two of three non-conference games by an average of 39.5 points. Miami's offense is seventh in the conference, and its defense is the second-worst overall in the MAC.
KEY PLAYER: Daniel Raudabaugh, quarterbackSTATS: 743 yards, Four touchdowns
Ohio (2-4)After winning their first two games, the Bobcats enter this weekend's game against Western Michigan with a four-game losing streak, including two losses to MAC East teams. Ohio has the conference's third-worst offense and fifth-worst defense.
KEY PLAYER: Kalvin McRae, running backSTATS: 510 rushing yards
Temple (1-5)The Owls enter this week of MAC play with the conference's top pass defense, allowing 188.2 yards per game. Temple started the season with five straight losses before defeating Northern Illinois 16-15 to break a 29-game losing streak.
KEY PLAYER: Adam DiMichele, quarterbackSTATS: 1,317 yards, Nine touchdowns
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