NIU's loss to Toledo really threw the MAC bowl picture into disarray. Here's what we know so far:
- The MAC is assured of three bowls this year. More than three have come available in recent years and that may happen this year as well but only three are assured.
- Barring an epic collapse CMU will be the MAC West champ and go to a bowl.
- The MAC East champ will go to a bowl.
- The following teams will be home for the holidays: Akron (1-5), Miami (0-7), EMU (0-6), Ball State (0-6).
Now for some best-guess prognostication of how the rest of the MAC will shake out:
Ohio (5-2)
Remaining games: Kent State, @Ball State, @Buffalo, NIU, Temple
Projected finish: 8-4
Temple (4-2)
Remaining games: @Toledo, @Navy, Miami, @Akron, Kent State, @Ohio
Projected finish: 8-4
Buffalo (3-4)
Remaining games: @WMU, BGSU, Ohio, @Miami, @Kent State
Projected finish: 6-6
Bowling Green (3-4)
Remaining games: CMU, @Buffalo, @Miami, Akron, Toledo
Projected finish: 6-6
Kent State (3-4)
Remaining games: @Ohio, WMU, @Akron, @Temple, Buffalo
Projected finish: 4-8
NIU (3-3)
Remaining games: @Miami, Akron, EMU, Ball State, @Ohio, @CMU
Projected finish: 7-5
Toledo (4-3)
Remaining games: Temple, @Miami, @CMU, EMU, @BGSU
Projected finish: 7-5
WMU (3-4)
Remaining games: Buffalo, @Kent State, @Michigan State, @EMU, Ball State
Projected finish: 7-5
So the final standings will look something like this:
MAC East
Ohio 8-4
Temple 8-4
Buffalo 6-6
BGSU 6-6
Kent 4-8
Akron 2-10
Miami 2-10
MAC West
CMU 10-2
Toledo 7-5
NIU 7-5
WMU 7-5
Ball State 2-10
EMU 1-11
That means six teams would finish 7-5 or better and it's hard to believe that many at-large bids will be available. Someone is going to be disappointed. Clearly, every game will matter the rest of the way this season.
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