Week 3 MACtion!

By week seven of this football season, every Mid-American Conference (MAC) team has played in at least one conference matchup.

This year’s conference championship will be played by the two teams with the best conference record, meaning these games matter more than ever before. As it stands now, the University at Buffalo, Ohio University and Western Michigan University have the best records, all with 2-0 records in conference play.

The Miami University RedHawks have a 1-1 conference record, allowing 44 points total while scoring 58. According to ESPN, Miami currently ranks sixth in the conference behind the University of Toledo and Northern Illinois University.

With the shifts we’ve seen this season between a reconfigured playoff and the destruction of East and West divisions, it’s undoubtedly important to keep up with the MACtion.

Week 6:

Matchup:

Western Michigan vs. Ball State

Result:

45-42, Western Michigan

Takeaways:

The first half of this matchup was relatively back and forth, with both teams scoring three touchdowns leaving a 21-21 game. The second half brought another three scores for each team, but Western Michigan’s field goal in the final seconds of the third quarter saved them from a loss. Ball State had two more turnovers and significantly fewer total yards than Western Michigan, but other than those disparities, the game was a pretty even conference matchup.

Matchup:

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Miami vs. Toledo

Result:

30-20, Toledo

Takeaways:

After two historic matchups last year, this game at Toledo held a lot of emotion for both teams. The Rockets’ outperformance in the first half is what ultimately won them the game. The RedHawks only scored two field goals in the first half while unable to prevent Toledo from scoring two touchdowns and two field goals. Even with two scores in the second half, Miami wasn’t able to overcome the early deficit and ultimately lost 30-20 to our previous MAC runner up.

Week 7:

Matchup:

Ball State vs. Kent State

Result:

37-35, Ball State

Takeaways:

The first half of this game was extremely Cardinal-heavy with two touchdowns and two field goals, putting them at 20 points and holding the Flashes to only seven. Kent State caught up in the fourth quarter for its less-than-impressive first half, achieving three touchdowns and bringing them just two points shy of a home victory.

Matchup:

Toledo vs. Buffalo

Result:

30-15, Buffalo

Takeaways:

As two of the top contenders in the MAC this year, this matchup was a much sought after win for Buffalo. The first half remained scoreless with the exception of one Bull touchdown in the first quarter. In the second half, they held Toledo’s team to only two touchdowns while scoring three touchdowns and a field goal. Both teams attempted and failed a two-point conversion in their last score to bring the final to an astounding 15 point differential.

Matchup:

Ohio vs. Central Michigan, Ohio

Result:

27-25

Takeaways:

The Bobcats came out of the gate swinging in this game with a field goal in the first quarter and three touchdowns in the second. They held Central Michigan to one score in the third and entered the final quarter with a 24-8 lead. The final 15 minutes of this game brought much more success for the Chippewas with three touchdowns and a field goal, while only allowing Ohio one field goal. This, however, was not enough to win them the game leaving them with a two-point 27-25 loss.

Matchup:

Miami vs. Eastern Michigan, Miami

Result:

38-14

Takeaways:

In our first breakout win of the season, the RedHawks soared with three scores in the first half, holding the opposing Eagles to only one. The second half followed similarly with two scores and a field goal and only one touchdown against. Great offensive and defensive play won this game for our team in a stunning 38-14 conference win at home.

rosente2@miamioh.edu