If Central Michigan University defeats Eastern Michigan University next week, the Ball State University football team must win next week against Western Michigan University to ensure a Mid-American Conference West Championship and an appearance in the MAC Championship game in Detroit's Ford Field.
The first tiebreaker, according to MAC-Sports.com, is head-to-head competition against each tied team in the division. If Ball State lost to Western Michigan and Central Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan, the Cardinals, Broncos and Chippewas would be 1-1 against each other (Ball State defeated Central Michigan Wednesday, Central Michigan defeated Western Michigan Oct. 18).
The second tiebreaker is each team's winning percentage against divisional opponents in rank order of final division standings. This would produce the same scenario as the first tiebreaker.
The third tiebreaker is the overall MAC record, including cross-divisional games, by winning percentage. If the Cardinals lose to Western Michigan and the Chippewas defeat Eastern Michigan, the three teams would all have a 7-1 MAC record, thus moving on to the fourth tiebreaker.
The fourth tiebreaker evaluates the combined MAC winning percentage of the cross-divisional opponents the top three teams play in that season. Both Central Michigan and Western Michigan's combined cross-divisional opponents' MAC winning percentages were .389, while Ball State's was .318 - meaning Central Michigan would win the MAC West title and advance to the MAC championship because of its 38-28 win against the Broncos on Oct. 18.
If Ball State loses to Western Michigan next week and Central Michigan defeats Eastern Michigan next week...
Fourth Tiebreaker:Ball State East Division opponents and their combined MAC winning percentages:Akron (3-3) .500Kent State (2-5) .286Miami (1-5) .167Combined: .318
Central Michigan East Division opponents and their combined MAC winning percentages:Ohio (1-5) .167Buffalo (4-2) .667Temple (2-4) .333Combined: .389
Western Michigan East Division opponents and their combined MAC winning percentages:Temple (2-4) .333Ohio (1-5) .167Buffalo (4-2) .667Combined: .389
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
