College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 6
By Zach Bigalke
Western Michigan moved to 6-0 on the season with a win against Northern Illinois, taking charge of the MAC West race in the process. Zach Terrell finally had to have a big passing game and delivered, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Jarvion Franklin added 169 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the Broncos finished with 573 total yards of offense. The defense bent but didn’t completely break against NIU, allowing nearly 500 yards but forcing two turnovers along the way.
The Broncos arrive at the midpoint of the season as one of the top Group of Five teams with a shot at the automatic New Year’s Six bowl bid. They already have statement wins over Northwestern and Illinois, and trips to Akron, Ball State, and Kent State shouldn’t present too much danger to their record. Neither should home games against Eastern Michigan or Buffalo. The regular-season finale at home against Toledo will likely decide which of the two teams represents the division in the MAC championship game in Detroit.