MAC Sports Blog by VanDelay Sports

In the quest to advance to the MAC Championship Game the Ohio Bobcats and Kent State Golden Flashes are keeping the pressure on Temple in what is turning out to be a great race. Ohio overcame a sluggish offense to score a 4th quarter TD and pull away with a win @ Ball State and improve to 6-3 and 4-1 in MAC play. Meanwhile, Kent State showed that they are indeed for real with a impressive win at home over Western Michigan. With Temple playing out of conference for the second time in three weeks, the Owls proved they have taken the next steps as a program in picking up win #6. Here is a look at the MAC East teams still in contention:

• Temple (6-2, 4-0 MAC) - The Owls have Miami and Kent State at home and road games @ Akron and a season finale @ Ohio which could be the deciding game in the MAC East race.
• Kent State (5-4, 4-1 MAC) - With wins over Ohio and WMU in consecutive weeks, the Golden Flashes have proven they are for real and could very well win the MAC East this season. Remaining games for Kent State include @ Akron and @ Temple before a home matchup with Buffalo to finish the regular season.
• Ohio (6-3, 4-1 MAC) - Ohio looked bad on offense in their 20-17 win at Ball State, but they got the much-needed win. Looking for just their second bowl berth since 1968, the Bobcats are off until Tuesday, November 10th when they play @ Buffalo. Ohio closes the regular season with home games against Northern Illinois and Temple.
• Bowling Green (3-5, 2-2 MAC) - BG is still in the race but does not face Temple this season and faces a potential elimination game tomorrow night @ Buffalo. While BG could very well run the table in their final three games (@ Miami, vs Akron, vs Toledo), having 3 losses including to Ohio and Buffalo would put the Falcons in a tough spot.
• Buffalo (3-5, 1-3 MAC) - Last week I didn’t even include the Bulls, but a closer look at UB’s remaining schedule is the reason they are still in the picture. Buffalo needs a 4-0 finish to end 5-3 in conference play and have a lot of help for a share of the MAC East title and that starts on Tuesday night vs Bowling Green. Remaining for UB include vs BG, vs Ohio, @ Miami and @ Kent State.

In the MAC West, Northern Illinois is the lone contender for CMU’s crown and the Huskies will likely have to keep winning to create a showdown on November 27 @ Central Michigan. CMU has a home game with Toledo and @ Ball State while NIU has EMU and Ball State before @ Ohio and the big game with CMU to end the regular season.

It seemed clear-cut. The Ohio Bobcats and Temple Owls seemed destined to meet in the final week of the season with the MAC East title and a berth in the MAC Championship Game on the line. While that still may very well happen, Kent State’s win @ Ohio on Saturday introduced the Golden Flashes into the MAC East race. With Temple 4-0 after defeating Toledo, Ohio and Kent State are now tied at 3-1 in MAC play with Bowling Green at 2-2 hanging on to slim hopes for the MAC East title.

Here is a look at what each team has remaining on their schedule with the understanding that the winner will meet the Central Michigan Chippewas in the MAC Championship. Be sure to check back at VanDelay Sports for the weekly MAC football scores to see the week’s MAC football results.
- Temple (4-0) - The Owls have 5 games remaining, 4 against MAC opponents as they host Miami and Kent State and travel to Akron and Ohio.
- Kent State (3-1) - The Flashes face Western Michigan and Buffalo at home and travel to Akron and Temple.
- Ohio (3-1) - Ohio is @ Ball State and @ Buffalo in the next two weeks then finishes the 2009 regular season with home games against Northern Illinois and Temple.
- Bowling Green (2-2) - The Falcons have games @ Buffalo and @ Miami in the next two weeks and end the regular season with home games against Akron and Toledo. At 3-5 overall right now, BG will likely have to win out to get a bowl game, and 4 straight to finish the season may get them a MAC East title if others falter.

Answering the drive by Buffalo that put the Bulls up 14-10, Ball State drove down the field with a 7-play, 65 yard drive to take the lead back 17-14. MiQuale Lewis’ 1-yard run was his 2nd TD of the game as Ball State took just 3:17 to respond to UB’s score.

On the ensuing possession, James Starks dropped the high handoff from Drew Willy and Ball State recovers at the Buffalo 38 yard line, leading 17-14.

Ball State looks to remain undefeated and become the first MAC team to go undefeated since Marshall in 1999. Fans can pickup Ball State hats & gear online through VanDelay Sports.

When the Miami RedHawks face the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday, December 1st in the Marathon MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan, ESPN will not be the only sports media group reporting live. VanDelay Sports will again be covering the game live as the RedHawks (6-6) battle the Chippewas (7-5) for the MAC Championship.

If you are not going to attend the game in person, be sure to logon to the VanDelay Sports blog and watch the live updates throughout the game!