2021 Hustle Belt MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 4

12. Ohio Bobcats (Latest rankings: 12)

• High Tones: 10 (once)
• Low voice: 12 (five)
• Average votes: 11.5

The Ohio Bobcats lost again, and unless they suddenly find Michaels Magic Stuff and run the table, they’re well on their way to their first season of loss in more than 12 years.

This latest loss was particularly exhausting as it was a 35-0 shot before the drop gun to cut Armani Rogers ’cut well after the game ended. There’s not much cause for rejoicing right now, and the brightness around this team is so dark that even the 9.5-point line in their favor of the 1-3 Akron Zips they won last 14 doesn’t seem right.

11. Akron zippers (LR: 11)

• High Votes: 11 (six)
• Low volume: 12 (twice)
• Average votes: 11.25

As expected, Akron definitely won against Ohio State, even though they took it in an unexpected way and initially took the 7-0 lead early in the first quarter before everything fell apart.

It’s hard to blame Akron here, they’re simply not talented enough to stay in a game like this, but the battle they showed early on is very encouraging and there are some potential stars on the list who have time to get chemistry. They face in the Ohio Hustle Belt Certified ™ game of the week.

10. Ball State Cardinals (LR: 8)

• High Tones: 7 (once)
• Low voice: 10 (three)
• Average votes: 9

The doubt is of no use to the defending MAC champion as Ball State has suffered three losses in a row, including a loss this week to the Toledo Rockets.

The team has retreated fairly quickly and suddenly in trouble to make consistent offensive performances, a trait they relied on in the pandemic season of 2020. The defense has also been weak, handing out an average of 33 points and 438 yards of attack per match. It’s really a shock to a team that returned 92 percent of its list.

It won’t get any easier as they face the black knights of the rising army this week to round off their non-con schedule.

9. Miami RedHawks (LR: 6)

• High Votes: 6 (once)
• Low volume: 10 (twice)
• Average votes: 8.37

Speaking of the Army’s West Point, they took it all over for a Miami lunch and then a portion on Saturday, taking the RedHawks to a 23-10 result that wasn’t as close as it looked.

Miami ran just 28 yards of attack and made a 2/11 third drop during the day, while the military allowed 384 rushing yards and converted a 3/3 fourth down result. The 80-yard bike path from Brett Gabbert to Kevin Davis at the start of the fourth quarter put Miami in double-digit numbers, but otherwise it was a miserable experience on this front when Gabbert ended up with 11/25 feed attempts in a game where RedHawks were forced to overtake. They play an explosive CMU team trying to get back.

8. Northern Illinois Husky (LR: 9)

• High Votes: 2 (once)
• Low volume: 10 (twice)
• Average votes: 7.12

The NIU took home a great win against FCS Maine at home as expected, concluding his out-of-conference season with a score of 2-2. This is a sign that many probably didn’t expect, given where this team was in the 2020 season.

The NIU has shown a great fight in three of their four games (they’re not going to miss too much in that Michigan game), and have shown a tendency to create running yards, just like the Huskies of old. Clint Ratkovich and Harrison Waylee are a nice one-two unit that the Huskies have relied on this season, while Lance Deveaux Jr. and Jordan Hansen are the building blocks for a potentially brilliant defense.

Find out what they are capable of when they face Eastern Michigan.

7. Bowling Green Hawks (LR: 10)

• High Votes: 3 (twice)
• Low sound: 12 (once)
• Average votes: 7

No one saw this type of performance coming to BGSU at the start of the season, but here they are, sitting in a 2-2 situation when they have done everything necessary to take home a shocking victory against Minnesota. If the South Alabama walking goal goal isn’t right, you’re looking at team 3-1.

One can’t say enough how much potential BGSU has shown in recent weeks, won gold at the Washington transfer in Austin Osborne and received positive developments from QB Matt McDonald in the attack, and Darren Anders and Brock Horne have proven to be tough lineups. The Falcons are aiming to keep their two-match winning streak against MAC East’s favorite Kent State.

6. Eastern Michigan Eagles (LR: 7)

• High Votes: 1 (once)
• Low volume: 9 (once)
• Average votes: 5.5

EMU ate another cupcake at the Texas State Bobcats at The Factory with a win of 59-21 on Saturday and rose to a 3-1 record.

There is still some persecution to what this team is really capable of; their strongest opponent was Wisconsin, and EMU barely survived an attack less than 60 yards away. They won three victories against FCS teams and two FBS teams that are more or less boring. But you can only play those in front of you, and EMU has done a great job of separating the teams they are expected to reject, so they are currently in sixth place until they can show they can win against a peer. Next, they face the NIU.

5. Buffalo Bulls (LR: 3)

• High Votes: 3 (twice)
• Low volume: 6 (once)
• Average votes: 4,375

Buffalo looked like a convincing conquering hero in the first half against Old Dominion, raising 35 first-half points, 28 of them in the second quarter, to reach the leading score room 35-7.

This was not the case in the second half, as Buffalo immediately gave up the 27-point missed lot and raised the score by 35-34 with only eight seconds left. Old Dominion got a little excited about the party and took a 15-yard penalty for extra point attempts and took them out of the two-point conversion area. ODU couldn’t get an onsides kick, allowing Buffalo to win with short hair.

It’s not an encouraging result for the Bulls, who have had weird results in the first four weeks. But there’s a lot of talent and championship everywhere on that list, so they get good points for the conference season.

t-3. Central Michigan Chippewas (LR: t-4)

• High Votes: 3 (twice)
• Low volume: 7 (once)
• Average votes: 4.25

The CMU pulled the reverse Buffalo this week, struggling to get started in the first half against the FIU, dropping 27-10 late in the third quarter before coming back through a 21-point missed series to win the final 31-27.

The spark was reserve -QB Daniel Richardson, who was declared the starter on Wednesday morning as a result of his performance and the Panthers. He threw three touches and zero abductions in the air and showed great chemistry with his receivers, which did not hesitate to throw it deep if he thought the prize was good enough.

If the CMU can take Richardson’s arm and combine it with Lew Nichols ’retraction abilities, they’re a dangerous offensive unit. Also, don’t underestimate the defense, as the CMU has amassed 38 losses and 11 kicks in just four games. They meet on the road to Miami to start the MAC slate.

t-3. Kent State Golden Flashes (LR: 1)

• High Votes: 1 (twice)
• Low volume: 8 (once)
• Average votes: 3.85

So don’t worry about our uncertain comments from last week. Kent State dried up again under Power 5 pressure, this time to Maryland, resulting in 38-16 on Saturday.

They are now 1-3, and only FCS wins the VMI to the left of the column. It’s hard not to notice that in three P5 games, Kent State ruined several chances to score in positions, and part of it came into the running game, with the leader back only getting over 40 yards once (Xavier Williams vs. Texas) A&M, 70.)

The situation will certainly change as they start playing teams at the peer level, but the margin of error is starting to decrease now. Buffalo wants to get together, and BGSU could also be a potential spoiler if they continue to evolve. For now, their future will keep them at the forefront.

2. Toledo rockets (LR: t-4)

• High Votes: 2 (three)
• Low volume: 9 (once)
• Average votes: 4

Toledo rose to the chart second after achieving an eight-point victory over defending MAC champion Ball State and leading an early 1-0 division at MAC West. It was forced to win the game to start the season, as the Western winner will likely have to win at least two out of three vs. Ball State, Western Michigan and Central Michigan to get a chance to get to Detroit.

There are still several issues to be resolved, such as if the two-QB system that works with Carter Bradley and Dequan Finn works, but the Rockets have set themselves up to defend the top spot in the overall, at least for now. They will play UMass in a non-conference game on Saturday.

# 1. Western Michigan Broncos (LR: 2)

• High Votes: 1 (five)
• Low voice: 2 (three)
• Average votes: 1,375

WMU not only beat defending Mountain West champion San Jose State; they ruled them. The WMU defense was the star of the show, allowing only three points, 119 offensive yards and generating three turnovers, helped by six kicks and 11 losses.

The Broncos are now 3-1 when they go to the MAC slate, and have proven to be the most balanced team on both sides of the ball, and they are able to adapt and survive depending on the game situation. They also have some of MAC’s best individual abilities, so there’s a lot of optimism for the Broncos.

They will face Buffalo on Saturday in a possible preview of the MAC Championship.

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