Ball State is currently 1-1 in the MAC, most recently coming off a loss against Kent State. Ball State beat a seemingly lifeless Eastern Michigan squad to open its season on a positive note by securing an early MAC win. Ball State has had a tough non-conference schedule, which has included two big wins over BCS teams. The more notable being their upset over South Florida, nationally top-20 ranked. Ball State has a chance to go over .500 in the MAC if they can upset the streaking Huskies this Saturday.

NIU has only played one MAC contest thus far, but it was against the lone MAC squad to beat them last year: Central Michigan. With the 55-24 defeat of Central Michigan, the Huskies may have exorcised some demons and gotten their conference schedule off on the right foot. NIU is overall 4-1, and would be sitting 5-0 with two BCS wins if not for a gut-wrenching loss against Iowa. NIU is looking to keep its winning ways alive, with four consecutive wins and nine straight MAC wins dating back to last season.

Toledo sits atop the MAC West, as they are riding a four-game winning streak. Their streak has included two MAC opponents: Bowling Green and Western Michigan. Much like NIU, Toledo could be sitting at 5-0 if not for an overtime loss to Arizona in its first game. Toledo has outscored its opponents 153-115 in all five contests this season. Even with a loss, the Rockets’ scoring margin is better than 30 points. At this point in the season, Toledo and NIU seem to be the top dogs with eyes set on one another.

Sitting at .500 and 0-1 in the MAC, Western Michigan is stuck in purgatory. Coming off a 37-17 loss against Toledo, Western Michigan may very well find itself at 1-1 in the MAC this week as they get the opportunity to be next in line to knock off MAC-newcomers Massachusetts. The Broncos still have to face such teams as Ball State, NIU and Kent State. While the MAC season is still young and the Broncos have been competitive with a tough non-conference schedule, their upcoming MAC opponents are not looking to help them out of their 0-1 hole.

Also sitting at .500 and 0-1 in the MAC, Central Michigan has been a bit of an enigma. In the Chippewas’ two victories, they have played closely contested games and come out with wins, the most recent against Iowa. In its two losses, it were outscored 96-31, losing to Michigan State 41-7 and to NIU 55-24. The contest with NIU was a close affair as late as the third quarter, but after a few big defensive plays, NIU ran away with the scoring. The Chippewas will have to show more mental fortitude to get past their mistakes if they wish to pick up victories in their coming games, including this week’s matchup with division leader Toledo.

Sitting in the cellar in terms of overall and MAC records, Eastern Michigan is looking to pick up some victories in their three game homestand. Two of those games will be against MAC teams. The Eagles have had a tough schedule against the likes of Michigan State and Purdue, but have not been very competitive in any matchup. Eastern Michigan has been outscored 145-63 in all of their games combined. The Eagles’ next three games come against Kent State, Toledo and Army, so getting out of this early hole will take a concerted effort or divine intervention.