Mitten Masterkey Week 6: Michigan MAC in lookahead spots, MSU vs. next former QB

The Mitten has an idle team in FBS this week, with Michigan on a much-needed idle week (but dealing with some off-field noise via a tight ends leaked messages venting frustrations) as the other four teams are all set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Michigan State and Western Michigan are both holding their respective homecoming games, with WMU hosting Kent State and MSU welcoming Illinois and the return of former QB Katin Houser. 

Central Michigan is on the road to southeast Ohio to face the eponymous opponent, Ohio, and Eastern Michigan won’t be too far away in northeast Ohio, on the road facing Akron. 

Dig in to your guide for Saturday below. 

Mitten Football will be at…

Waldo Stadium for WMU’s matchup with Kent State — nice to be hitting up both the Chippewas and Broncos in the lead up to the Victory Cannon matchup. 

The schedule and TV assignments

Games are Saturday unless otherwise noted; Michigan is idle this week. 

And all the games are 3:30 p.m. ET this weekend for Mitten teams. 

• Western Michigan vs. Kent State, ESPN+
• Michigan State vs. Illinois, FS1
• Central Michigan at Ohio, ESPN+
• Eastern Michigan at Akron, ESPN+

And for the uninitiated, this master schedule absolutely rocks (just be aware times are central).

Listen to “In The Pocket”

Mitten Football is doing a podcast, with Andrew Graham and the Detroit News’ Connor Earegood covering all the CFB news, notes, happenings and the like across the Mitten each week. 

Pregame, halftime reading from Mitten Football, others

• Michigan State football doesn't need film to see 'they physically beat us' (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 4)
• MSU's Pat Fitzgerald: 'If I was a fan, I would not be happy with us' (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 5)
• Michigan TE Zack Marshall apologizes for comments in leaked messages (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 6)
• CMU's minister of fandom (Central Michigan Life, Oct. 6)
• CMU heeding Herb Deromedi’s advice, putting no ceiling on dominant run game: ‘Can always be better’ (Mitten Football, Oct. 6)
• Western Michigan's goal line stand a lesson on consistent, focused mindset Broncos seek (Mitten Football, Oct. 6)
• The problem for Michigan State's offense is simple. Fixing it is not. (Detroit News, Oct. 7)
• Senior ownership fueling EMU's 2-0 MAC start: ‘Make sure that the locker room is right’ (Mitten Football, Oct. 7)
• Former Michigan State QB returns for homecoming playing at much higher level (MLive, Oct. 8)
• Where are they now? How Michigan football transfers are faring at other schools in 2026 (MLive, Oct. 8)
• Tom Izzo rallies support for MSU football amidst early doldrums of Pat Fitzgerald era (Mitten Football, Oct. 8)
• Family, faith help Thomas Gordon, former UM football player fighting ALS, find joy (Detroit News, Oct. 9)
• Western Michigan hopes small tweaks keep resulting in big pass rush gains (Mitten Football, Oct. 9)

Picks, preview

Read the full joint here with all the analysis and scores.

• Western Michigan over Kent State
• Illinois over Michigan State
• Central Michigan over Ohio
• Eastern Michigan over Akron

A unit to watch: Eastern Michigan’s offensive line

This group shined on Saturday, as Guzzy Kayed and Elijha Payne starting at left guard and right tackle, respectively, have this group back to its more intact lineup. All that remains is right guard Cole Dellinger getting back, though Dennis Strey Jr. has played well in his stead. This unit paved the way for 192 rushing yards, three touchdowns and no sacks vs. UMass. Akron is feisty, but a similar performance from this offensive line could really set the tone — and a high floor — for EMU’s offense the rest of the season. 

Getting the run game going, in particular, could be a point of emphasis for the Eagles after Central Michigan just piled up 300-plus rushing yards on the Zips. EMU runs a very different offense and has much more pop through the air, but it’s evident a strong offensive line performance could have EMU ripe to rip off another strong rushing performance. 

A fun prediction: Jalen Buckley pops off

He’s been good this year, but hasn’t been a force on offense, either. All told, Buckley is leading WMU with 62 carries for 287 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in five games. But he’s only gone over 100 yards once and has two games with fewer than 30 rushing yards in five appearances this year. Saturday could be his chance to finally roll to a banner day. This is also, in a quieter way, a prediction for a strong day for Western Michigan’s offensive line, too. 

Kent State, WMU’s opponent on Saturday, just gave up 181 yards on 40 carries to Buffalo, and got carved up on the ground badly by the two Power 4 teams it played. And while one would expect South Carolina and Ohio State to do that to a MAC foe, Kent State did give up eight combined rushing touchdowns in those games. It’s a safe bet they’ll sell out on defense some to stop the run, but for the first time this season Buckley has a chance to get rolling and punish a defense with a big day.