WMU vs. MAC’s worst rush D, UM's offense-defense disparity has infamous recent peer

Western Michigan’s pathway to victory over Bowling Green on Saturday can be understood pretty well through a quick comparison of two realities. 

Bowling Green’s rushing defense, which is bad, and Western Michigan’s rushing offense, which is good. 

It really might be that simple on Saturday at Waldo Stadium. 

Because while Bowling Green is actually pretty effective defending the pass (No. 14 nationally, 168.4 yards a game), that may just be a downstream effect of teams not even needing to throw, as the Falcons give up 214.75 yards per game on the ground, ranking No. 133 nationally. Only five teams are worse. 

BGSU has given up more than 100 yards rushing in all but one game, and given up 200-plus in five games. BGSU has given up 250-plus rushing in four games. Opposing offenses are rushing the ball around 38 times a game against the BGSU defense. 

Western Michigan (5-3, 3-1 MAC) enters Saturday’s game carrying the ball around 37 times a game, for 162 or so yards per game. Running back Jalen Buckley has 634 yards and eight touchdowns in as many games, and quarterback Broc Lowry and No. 2 running back Ofa ‘Lolo’ Mataele are both having strong complementary campaigns, with 486 yards and five rushing scores between them. 

Add in that WMU’s offensive line has really found its footing in MAC play — two of WMU’s three 200-plus yard rushing days have come since conference play started — and it’s pretty evident that the Broncos can and will test a BGSU rush defense that has not held up in any capacity this year against non-Sacramento State competition. 

Wolverines' offense has Michigan in Brian Ferentz territory

First, tip of the cap to Alex Kirshner for singling out this reality, that Michigan in 2026 is basically doing what Iowa did while Brian Ferentz was the offensive coordinator under his father and head coach Kirk Ferentz from about 2021 onward. 

The younger Ferentz had been OC at Iowa since 2017, but his offenses really took a nosedive that garnered public outcry after the Covid season, during a stretch including the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons where Iowa had one of if not the best defense in the country year-to-year and an offense in the basement. 

In 2022, Iowa finished second-to-last nationally in total offense, while finishing second nationally in total defense. The Hawkeyes finished No. 7 in total defense in 2023 and clocked in dead last in total offense, bringing on Brian Ferentz’ ouster. 

Michigan, through seven games of the 2026 season under Kyle Whittingham’s leadership, with Jason Beck at offensive coordinator and Jay Hill marshaling the defense, is ranked No. 130 nationally in total offense and No. 2 in total defense. There are 138 FBS teams in 2026.

But unlike those Iowa teams in 2022 and 2023, Michigan isn’t creating as many points on special teams or even via defense, despite having two pick-sixes on the season, tied for third nationally. 

Iowa went 10-4 in 2021, 8-5 in 2022, and 10-4 again in 2023. Michigan will probably be lucky to hit an 8-5 mark this year.  

Michigan’s defense every game is giving it a shot, one that the offense keeps missing.

Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan play 2nd leg of Michigan MAC series

The first leg of this three-way rivalry got overshadowed by the Victory Cannon, the other trophy at play, as Western Michigan outlasted Central Michigan, 21-14, on Oct. 17. 

That means this second leg offers only the chance for CMU to spoil EMU’s chances with a win, as the Chippewas can at best go 1-1 vs. its in-state conference foes. And however ironically, Central Michigan winning and cutting out at the knees EMU’s chances would mean the Michigan MAC trophy stays with bitter rival WMU.  

EMU, however, can win this matchup against CMU and get to 1-0 in Michigan MAC games, setting up a Nov. 17 matchup at Waldo Stadium vs. WMU when both teams could win the Michigan MAC trophy. 

Western Michigan is the current holder of the trophy, and won it outright last year with a 2-0 mark against the Chippewas and Eagles. WMU won the trophy outright in 2023, and there was no winner in 2024, as the trio of Michigan MAC teams went 1-1 in a circular firing squad that year. 

Eastern Michigan last won the Michigan MAC in 2022 and Central Michigan last won it in 2021. Western Michigan leads the trio with 10 wins of the trophy. 

The Michigan MAC trophy is one of two three-way rivalries with a trophy in CFB, the other being the Commander-in-Chief trophy that Army, Navy and Air Force play for annually. 

Injuries of import

WMU S Micah Davis: Returned to action vs. Toledo, played with a massive club wrap on right hand. Expected to be available going forward, ideally with a shrinking wrap on his right hand.

EMU QB Noah Kim: Missed game vs. Ohio with undisclosed injury. Status vs. CMU is to be determined as practice picks up later in the weekend, and over the weekend. Brogan McCaughey would start in his place if Kim is out again.

EMU RG Cole Dellinger: Been out since Week 2, but head coach Chris Creighton said Dellinger was close to returning vs. Ohio and sounded hopeful for his return vs. CMU. 

EMU LB Zach Mowchan: Didn’t start vs. Ohio as he’s been playing with a questionable tag for a few weeks, but did play vs. the Bobcats. Seems like he’ll continue playing through it. 

UM S Rod Moore: Didn’t start but played vs. Indiana after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury vs. Penn State. Questionable for Rutgers as of Wednesday evening. 

UM DE Dom Nichols: Has been playing through a questionable tag for weeks, but finally missed a game vs. Indiana. Questionable again this week as of Wednesday. 

UM OT Blake Frazier: Listed as questionable on Wednesday. Popped up on the injury report last week and did not play vs. Indiana after being questionable last week. 

UM DE John Henry Daley: Questionable on Wednesday after playing vs. Indiana. Had been questionable earlier in the year but played through whatever injury. 

UM DL Enow Etta: Played vs. Indiana after being questionable. Listed as questionable again. 

UM OT Andrew Sprague: Still listed as out, still no definitive clarity or answers.