Both Kent State and Northern Illinois are ranked in the Top 25 in National Football Polls, which marks the first time for the MAC to have two programs ranked in the Top 25 since 2003. Kent State (10-1, 7-0 in the MAC) is ranked No. 23 in the current BCS Standings, the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Northern Illinois (10-1, 7-0 in the MAC) is ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The two ranked MAC programs will face each other in the 2012 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 pm ET from Ford Field in Detroit. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
Kent State clinched its first East Division title on Saturday with a 31-24 road win at Bowling Green to increase its current nine-game winning streak. Kent State will complete the regular season as the Flashes host Ohio on Friday, Nov. 23 at 11:00 am ET on ESPNU.
Northern Illinois clinched the West Division crown this past Wednesday with a 31-24 win over Toledo to extend its current ten-game winning streak and 21st consecutive home victory at Huskie Stadium. Northern Illinois will finish the regular season schedule as the Huskies travel to Eastern Michigan this Friday, Nov. 23 at 1:00 pm on ESPN3.