College Football in Ohio – Week 12

Cincinnati 7-3 (5-2 in the Big 12)

The Bearcats lost to Arizona on Saturday, 30-24. That was a bitter pill for UC to have to ingest. They lost their second straight Big 12 game after starting 5-0 in the conference. With the loss, UC’s hopes of a Big 12 title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff are likely crushed. The Cats host BYU next week in their home finale of 2025.

Miami (Ohio) 5-5 (4-2 in the MAC)

The RedHawks got rocked by the Rockets. Toledo just dominated Miami in Oxford on Wednesday night. Dequan Finn didn’t get a chance to play against his old team, and he was missed by Miami (even though he subsequently left the team). The Redhawks had only 222 yards of total offense and threw three interceptions. They barely avoided getting shut out in the 24-3 defeat. They have to travel to Buffalo next week before finishing the season at home against Ball State.

Ohio 6-4 (4-2 in the MAC)

The Bobcats squandered an opportunity to stay at the top of the MAC standings with their loss at Western Michigan on Tuesday night. Their passing game was absent, and they struggled to move the ball against WMU. Their three-game winning streak was snapped, but they should get back in the win column when they host 0-10 UMass next Tuesday in their home finale.

Bowling Green 3-7 (1-5 in the MAC)

BGSU had a bye this week. They have their home finale against Akron this Tuesday night.

Toledo 6-4 (4-2 in the MAC)

The Rockets had a strong win over Miami on some Wednesday Night MACtion. They weren’t perfect, but they did what they needed to do to win. They’ll have their home finale next Saturday against Ball State before they finish the season on the road against Central Michigan. With the logjam of 4-2 teams in the MAC, the Rockets still have a chance to be one of the two teams playing for a MAC title in December.

Akron 4-7 (3-4 in the MAC)

Akron’s hopes of avoiding a losing season died hard on Tuesday night. They battled Kent State for the Wagon Wheel, but fell at home in overtime. Their offense did well enough with 530 yards and 35 points, but their defense couldn’t stop Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields. He had 317 passing yards, five touchdown passes, and no interceptions. Akron finishes their season at Bowling Green this Saturday.

Kent State 4-6 (3-3 in the MAC)

The Golden Flashes kept their bowl dreams alive with a gutsy win over Akron. It took overtime, but Kent State got the 42-35 win. They still need to win against Central Michigan and Northern Illinois to become bowl eligible, but they’re one step closer than they were last week. They now have to do something they haven’t done since 2021, and that is win consecutive games.

Dayton 6-4 (4-3 in the Pioneer League)

This was a tough loss to Drake. The Flyers fell, 14-6. Dayton hurt themselves a lot in this game. They got away from running the ball with their backs, stalled in the Red Zone, and continued to have a bad year in the kicking game. If my math is correct, this eliminates them from the playoffs and a Pioneer League title. They’ll finish their season on the road next week at Davidson.

Youngstown State 7-4 (4-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference)

A quarterback throws for over 250 yards and three touchdowns, rushes for 90 yards and three touchdowns? It must be a fall Saturday in 2025, in the Ice Castle in Youngstown, Ohio! YSU got their seventh win of the season behind another big game from star quarterback Beau Brungard. Brungard was 23 of 30 for 264 yards and three touchdowns in the air and had 17 carries for 90 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. YSU is the last team anyone wants to face in the early rounds of the FCS playoffs.

Bill Willis Award Player of the Week

This once again goes to Beau Brungard. He had six total touchdowns in their win over Indiana State. Brungard is also having an epic season and is a contender for the Payton Award, the FCS’ Heisman. Beau knows football. He is 234 for 343 for 2,687 yards and 21 touchdowns. Add in 203 carries for 1,235 yards, 21 more touchdowns on the ground, and you have the best player in the FCS.

Writer’s Note: The FBS rankings are from The College Football Power Rankings at TheForkball.com. The FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS Poll.