Western Michigan looked like it was trending up when it scored 45 and 38 points in wins over Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, respectively. Then came last week’s 24-0 loss at Northern Illinois. The Broncos amassed just 206 total yards and couldn’t run the football at all as their hopes of bowl eligibility vanished. (Last week: NR)
Ball Sate is taking big steps in the right direction — rare for a Bottom 25 team — and would escape the rankings altogether with a win over 9-2 Miami (Ohio) to close the season. The Cardinals have won two straight and three of the last four after holding lowly Kent State to 97 yards in a 34-3 win last week. (11)
23. Indiana
3-8
Say what you will about coach Tom Allen’s future, but the Hoosiers haven’t stopped fighting. If three-point losses to Illinois and Michigan State had gone the other way the past two weeks, Indiana would be playing for bowl eligibility against Purdue this week. Alas, the best IU can do is match last season’s 4-8 record. (NR)
