Mid-American Conference football rundown: Week 8

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.

There wasn't a lot of movement in the Mid-American Conference standings this week, as two teams became bowl eligible and four more teams are just one or two victories away from becoming eligible.

Toledo and Ohio have the most wins in the conference thus far with six, while Northern Illinois and Western Michigan are both one win away from becoming postseason eligible.

Here’s the MAC Rundown for week eight of the college football season: 

Akron Zips 

Season record: 4-4, 3-1 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Toledo (L, 48-21)
Week 9 matchup: Buffalo (3-5, 1-3 MAC)

Akron, coming off its third straight conference victory, lost its first MAC game of the season again Toledo. From beginning to end, Toledo dominated the game, finishing with 626 yards of total offense compared to Akron's 333.

Akron will look to get back on track as it plays Buffalo this week at home. Buffalo is coming off three straight losses, all of which have come by 10 points are less to MAC opponents. 

Ball State 

Season record: 2-4, 0-2 MAC
Week 8 matchup: Central Michigan (L, 56-9)
Week 9 matchup: Toledo (6-1, 3-0 MAC)

It wasn't the type of homecoming Ball State was looking for, as it lost to Central Michigan 56-9 on Saturday. The offense continued to struggle moving the ball, getting only 208 total yards in the contest, marking its third straight week without a touchdown score.

While injuries continue to hurt Ball State, it faces perhaps one of its most difficult opponents yet in Toledo. Last week, the Rockets became bowl eligible and remain just one of two teams without a conference loss.

Bowling Green 

Season record: 1-7, 1-3 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Northern Illinois (L, 48-17)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

Turnovers continue to set Bowling Green back this season, as it gave the ball up five times in its 48-17 loss against Northern Illinois. The Falcons were able to come away with a pair of rushing touchdowns, but lost its seventh game of the season.

Bowling Green has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Kent State on Oct. 31, 2017.

Buffalo  

Season record: 3-5, 1-3 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Miami (L, 24-14)
Week 9 matchup: Akron (4-4, 3-1 MAC)

For the third straight week, Buffalo lost to a conference opponent, this time it was from Miami, 24-14. The two Buffalo turnovers were the biggest difference in the two possession loss as Miami stayed perfect on offense. 

Despite losing three straight games, Buffalo comes into its road matchup against Akron as three point underdogs. Compared to Akron, Buffalo averages more yards per game (404-326) and gives up less yards per game (407-442).

Central Michigan 

Season record: 4-4, 2-2 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Ball State (W, 56-9)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

Central Michigan pushed its record to an even .500 in overall and conference record with its 56-9 win over Ball State. Quarterback Shane Morris threw for 199 yards and four touchdowns, finding wide receiver Corey Willis for three of those scores.

Central Michigan has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Western Michigan on Nov. 1, 2017.

Eastern Michigan 

Season record: 2-5, 0-3 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Western Michigan (L, 20-17 OT)
Week 9 matchup: Northern Illinois (5-2, 3-0 MAC)

Eastern Michigan dropped its fifth straight game this season by a touchdown or less. Quarterback Brogan Roback finished with 308 of the Eagles 459 yards in the overtime loss.

While the Eagles remain just one of two MAC teams without a conference win, they're proven that they can play against any of the teams in the conference. Being one of six MAC teams playing this weekend, Eastern Michigan travels to Huskie Stadium this week to play Northern Illinois, one of two unbeaten conference teams.

Kent State 

Season record: 2-6, 1-3 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Ohio (L, 48-3)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

Once again, Kent State struggled to get the ball moving against Ohio, finishing with only 166 yards of offense. It was a four touchdown third quarter that set Ohio apart in the 48-3 win.

Kent State has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Bowling Green on Oct. 31, 2017.

Miami (Ohio) 

Season record: 3-5, 2-2 MAC    
Week 8 matchup: Buffalo (W, 24-14)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

After entering the third quarter with a 10-7 lead, Miami scored a pair of touchdowns to bring their point total to an eventual game-winning 24 points. Running back Kenny Young led the RedHawks offense in this game, finishing with 125 yards and two touchdowns off 18 carries.

Miami has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Ohio on Oct. 31, 2017.

Northern Illinois 

Season record: 5-2, 3-0 MAC   
Week 8 matchup: Bowling Green (W, 48-17)
Week 9 matchup: Eastern Michigan (2-5, 0-3 MAC)

Northern Illinois strolled onto its fifth win of the season, dominating Bowling Green 48-17 on the road. The Huskies finished with 577 yards of total offense and capitalized on five Bowling Green turnovers in the win.

Northern Illinois returns home this week to play Eastern Michigan. Coming off of three consecutive wins, the Huskies are just one of two teams without a conference loss in the MAC.

Ohio 

Season record: 6-2, 3-1 MAC    
Week 8 matchup: Kent State (2-6, 1-3 MAC)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

Ohio's 13-3  lead grew by 28 points after a four touchdown third quarter. The balanced offensive attack finished with 474 total yards in the dominating week eight victory.

Ohio has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Miami on Oct. 31, 2017.

Toledo 

Season record: 6-1, 3-0 MAC    
Week 8 matchup: Akron (W, 48-21)
Week 9 matchup: Ball State (2-5, 0-3 MAC)

For the second straight week, Toledo dominated a MAC opponent, beating Akron 48-21. Logan Woodside continued his dominating season, finishing the game with 304 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

Toledo is on the road this week, playing Ball State, a team that has lost its previous four contests. As of publication, Toledo enters the game as 26-point favorites over Ball State, averaging more than 504 yards per game this season and receiving its first AP Top 25 vote.

Western Michigan 

Season record: 5-3, 3-1 MAC    
Week 8 matchup: Eastern Michigan (W, 20-17 OT)
Week 9 matchup: Bye Week

Western Michigan won its second overtime game in three weeks after knocking off Eastern Michigan 20-17 on the road. After giving up a fourth quarter touchdown which gave Eastern Michigan the tie, Western Michigan held off to win its fifth game of the season.

Western Michigan has a bye in week nine, but returns to play Central on Nov. 1, 2017.

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