Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Bilo's College Football PASS/FAIL Conference Title Chase: MAC

East: Ohio, Miami (Ohio)
Ohio is in complete control in the East division, and for all practical purposes, could lock down the East this week. Miami is pushing them, but short of losing their final two games against Central Michigan and Akron. Ohio should be favored in those final two games, and short of a total implosion, the Bobcats lock up this division on 11/15.
Miami is mentioned only because anything could still happen. Chuck Martin looked to be fired heading into MAC play, but he has completely saved his job by making a huge charge in conference play. The Red Hawks need to win their final two games to go bowling, and both games are certainly winnable games against Ball State and Buffalo. A bowl for Miami would be huge, and if Ohio does implode and lose out, Miami would crash the MAC title game. Don't count on that, but the scenario does exist.

West: Western Michigan, Toledo, Northern Illinois
Western Michigan is a great story in 2016, but we largely believed that this was possible. WMU is now 10-0 after beating Kent State tonight, which moves them to 1.5 games ahead of Toledo. The Broncos get Buffalo in their next game, which looks like an easy win, and then comes the showdown against Toledo.
Toledo can knock Northern Illinois out tomorrow night, and then they will follow up with games against Ball State (should be heavily favored), and Western Michigan in the finale. If both WMU and Toledo win out until that final game, this game is a divisional title game in the season finale, which is amazing for the MAC.

Bowl Eligible: Ohio, Western Michigan, Toledo, Eastern Michigan
Bowl Ineligible: Kent State, Buffalo, Bowling Green

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