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Breaking Down 2016 FBS Conference Races After Week 11

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 29, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Robert Wheelwright (15) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Robert Wheelwright (15) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Akron, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium. Western Michigan Broncos won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Akron, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium. Western Michigan Broncos won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports /

Mid-American Conference

The two division races in the MAC are relatively clear at this point of the season. One of the divisions is set up for a winner-take-all showdown on Thanksgiving weekend, while the frontrunner on the other side of the equation merely needs one more result to clinch a spot in Detroit. Let’s quickly break down each of the two divisions.

MAC East

  • Ohio (5-1 conference, 7-3 overall)
  • Miami (5-2 conference, 5-6 overall)

Given Ohio’s head-to-head win over the RedHawks on October 1, all they need to do is win one of their final two games against Central Michigan or Akron to reach the MAC championship game on December 2 in Detroit. The only way Miami can win the MAC East is if they win their regular-season finale at home against Ball State on November 22 and the Bobcats lose against both the Chippewas and Zips.

MAC West

  • Western Michigan (6-0 conference, 10-0 overall)
  • Toledo (5-1 conference, 8-2 overall)

Western Michigan obviously has its sights set not just on a MAC championship but also a trip to the Cotton Bowl. But to earn the automatic New Year’s Six bowl bid they must first win the MAC… and to do that they must first play what will be a winner-take-all season finale on Black Friday between the Broncos and Toledo in Kalamazoo. The only way that Western Michigan could seal the deal sooner would be with a win against Buffalo on November 19 coupled with a Toledo loss against Ball State three days earlier.

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