Mid-American Conference – founded 1946
Teams: 2
Divisions: 2 (East/West)
Columbus, Ohio is the unofficial dividing line her
Who’s in/Who’s out in 2023:
No one.
Schedule features:
5 division foes plus 3 crossover games and 4 non-conference games
Conference Championship:
East/West winner Ford Field
Biggest stadium:
Kelly/Shorts Stadium 30,225 Mount Pleasant, Michigan (CMU)
Things to Know:
More parity than other conference with only one team failing to make the MAC championship game. MAC weakest conference annually from a metrics standpoint although CUSA does seem to be hot on their heels
1. Akron Zips
- Win total: O/U 3.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +3500
- Head coach: Joe Moorhead
- 2022 record: 2-10 (6-5-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: DNQ
- 2022 total offense: 107
- 2022 total defense: 118
Offense: QBs back, RBs back, 2 of 3 wideouts back, Hobart College (Div III) star lineman transferring in
Defense: replacing half of front six, most of underwhelming secondary returns but can’t get much worse than 118th
Schedule notes: at Temple week 1, Kentucky week 3, Indiana Week 4
Takeaways: 4 wins is doable but probably only have 5 true winnable games, will be keeping an eye on QB DJ Irons early on – 6-5 former Georgia High School player of the year to take the next step under Joe Moorhead. Probably another 3-4 win season but I’ll be rooting for the Zips.
2. Ball State Cardinals
- Win total: O/U 5
- Odds to win conference championship: +4000
- Head coach: Mike Neu
- 2022 record: 5-7 (6-6 ATS)
- Bowl game result: DNQ
- 2022 total offense: 99
- 2022 total defense: 70
Offense: 1300 yard Kent State rusher transferring in for a 1500 yard rusher transferring out, replacing QB, top 2 receivers, three potential all-conference lineman return
Defense: everyone from front 7 is back but replacing the entire secondary
Schedule notes: open at Kentucky, at Georgia Week 2, at Georgia Southern Week 4, Toledo 10/14
Takeaways: Something about the coach’s track record and last season’s disappointment makes me think this is the team that I undervalue and will be kicking myself about later. There is something about a Kentucky, Georgia start that makes me picture everyone on their team standing around in slings all season though, so we will leave this one alone.
3. Bowling Green State Falcons
- Win total: O/U 5.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +4500
- Head coach: Scot Loeffler
- 2022 record: 6-7 (4-8-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: Lost to New Mexico State 19-24
- 2022 total offense: 98
- 2022 total defense: 114
Offense: Connor Bazelak in to QB, injured RB returns, injured WR with last year’s top receiver return, 3 starters back on the O-line
Defense: possibly top corner tandem in MAC returns, lose all-MAC DE, 9/16 players with 300+ snaps return
Schedule notes: open at Liberty Week 1, at Michigan Week 3, at Georgia Tech Week 5
Takeaways: first bowl game since 2015 last year but could be another step back barring the offense taking a huge step forward with Bazelak. I would lean under 5.5 here which is likely somewhere around -130 to -140 but I will likely sit this one out action-wise.
4. Buffalo Bulls
- Win total: O/U 6.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +750
- Head coach: Maurice Linguist
- 2022 record: 7-6 (7-5-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: Defeated Georgia Southern 23-21
- 2022 total offense: 64
- 2022 total defense: 66
Offense: QB Cole Snyder returns (3K passing yards last season), top two rushers are back but top back only averaged 4.2 YPC with a 92 yard run included, replacing top 3 receivers,
Defense: leading tackler returns, Marcus Fuqua also returns (7 picks last year), returning top 2 DT’s as well
Schedule notes: open at Wisconsin, host Liberty Week 3, play at LA-Lafayette Week 4, Host Ohio 11/7 (Tuesday)
Takeaways: too much up and down last year with 3 losses followed by 5 wins followed by 3 more losses with 2 wins to end the year (including a bowl game win) to even take a stab at what to expect from Buffalo. Won’t be surprised with a first or last place finish in the east.
5. Central Michigan Chippewas
- Win total: O/U 5.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +2200
- Head coach: Jim McElwain
- 2022 record: 4-8 (4-7-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: DNQ
- 2022 total offense: 87
- 2022 total defense: 80
Offense: Returning sophomore QB Bert Emmanuel – dual threat QB who has yet to show he can truly pass, are losing one-time 1800 yard rusher and top 2 receivers
Defense: returning a majority of defensive players including over half who were underclassmen last year
Schedule notes: at Michigan State Week 1, At Notre Dame Week 3, At SoBa Week 4
Takeaways: With the exception of Emmanuel, this is going to be a pretty boring team. The McElwain guy is really easy to root for so I will probably find myself betting against this team a lot come Tuesdays in November.
6. Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Win total: O/U 7.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +800
- Head coach: Chris Creighton
- 2022 record: 9-4 (7-5-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: defeated San Jose State 41-27
- 2022 total offense: 55
- 2022 total defense: 85
Notes: only team in the MAC to never make the MAC championship game
Offense: replacing QB and 3 lineman, presumed starter Austin Smith completed just 57% of his passes last year with 6TDs and 4 INTs, Samson Evans almost 1200 yards returning
Defense: 11/15 guys with 300+ snaps on D returning
Schedule notes: at Minnesota Week 2, at JSU Week 4, At Toledo 11/8 (Wed) off bye week
Takeaways: Coming off a 9-4 year and first bowl game win in years, will be expecting a step back here given the underwhelming QB. Do not consider them a serious contender to Toledo in the West. Do think they will make a great under team.
7. Kent State Golden Flashes
- Win total: O/U 2.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +15000
- Head coach: Kenni Burns (first year)
- 2022 record: 5-7 (5-7 ATS)
- 2022 total offense: 65
- 2022 total defense: 90
Offense: HC Sean Lewis likely grew tired of playing 3 Power 5 schools every year and left to coach Deion’s offense, Quarterback Collin Schlee transferred to UCLA, 1300yard rusher transferred to Ball State, 5 other offensive starters out as well
Defense: only 6 of 16 defensive contributors return
Schedule notes: At UCF Week 1, At Arkansas Week 2, At Fresno St Week 4
Takeaways: PJ Fleck’s disciple Kenni Burns will have his hands full in year 1. Kent State dead last in returning production rankings as of the spring. No way to put this nicely but they could be team 133/133 this year. Have to expect they are the underdog in every game except for Central Conn State. Winning 2 out of the other 11 sounds possible but I think 1-11 is realistic here. Stop what you’re doing and take the Golden Flashes under 2.5 wins.
8. Miami Redhawks
- Win total: O/U 7
- Odds to win conference championship: +900
- Head coach: Chuck Martin
- 2022 record: 6-7 (6-7 ATS)
- Bowl game result: Defeated by UAB 20-24
- 2022 total offense: 114
- 2022 total defense: 35
Offense: both quarterbacks from last year with Buffs transfer competing for starting QB job – have to presume it is 2019 MAC Freshman POY Brett Gabbert’s job to lose, most skill guys return from poor offense, two of the 5 lineman return
Defense: 11 of 14 defenders with 300+ snaps are returning
Schedule notes: at Miami (FL) – first meeting since 1987, At Cincinnati Week 3, Host Toledo 10/21, at Ohio 10/28
Takeaways: ESPN FP+ favorite to win the MAC East, +900 odds is a lot of juice to work with. I love Gabbert to play well this year and this defense should be stellar. I do think over 7 wins in general is compelling considering every game but Miami U and Cincinnati are winnable. With UMass and Delaware State on the schedule, 5-3 in-conference does not sound overly crazy to me to win at least 7 games. For now, I will take Miami to win the MAC and look to hedge before championship game if I need to.
9. Ohio Bobcats
- Win total: O/U 7.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +280
- Head coach: Tim Albin
- 2022 record: 10-4 (9-4-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: defeated Wyoming 30-27
- 2022 total offense: 42
- 2022 total defense: 82
Offense: Kurtis Rourke coming off torn ACL dressed for spring game in April but did not play, top rusher (1000K+) and top receiver back, 4 of 5 lineman are back
Defense: 8 of 14 with 300+ snaps return, top tackler back as grad student
Schedule notes: at SDSU Week 0, at FAU Week 2, host Iowa State Week 3, host Miami 10/28, at Buffalo 11/7 (which could decide the east crown)
Takeaways: ZERO unwinnable games on their schedule, drew 3 of the 4 projected worst MAC West teams for crossover games, major lean on over 7.5 wins. Backwards hat-wearing, White Claw-drinking bros rejoice as Parker Titsworth is back as well.
10. Northern Illinois Huskies
- Win total: O/U 5.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +2900
- Head coach: Thomas Hammock
- 2022 record: 3-9 (4-8 ATS) with a lot of injuries
- Bowl game result: DNQ
- 2022 total offense: 73
- 2022 total defense: 115
Offense: Rocky Lombardi is BACK, stud WR Trayvon Rudolph, RB, and six top lineman are all back
Defense: returning most starters on D who were underclassmen but only 2 senior starters
Schedule notes: at BC Week 1, at Nebraska 9/16, at Toledo 9/30, Ohio 10/14
Takeaways: Find a way to beat BC, Nebraska, or Tulsa and they enter conference play 2-2, I like the chances of them going 4-4 in conference play with Akron on the schedule as well as a Ball State (home), Western Michigan (home), Kent State finish, expecting a bounce back year from the 2021 MAC champs
11. Toledo Rockets
- Win total: O/U 8.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +200 (favorite)
- Head coach: Jason Candle
- 2022 record: 9-5 (5-9 ATS)
- Bowl game result: Defeats Liberty 21-19
- 2022 total offense: 46
- 2022 total defense: 55
Offense: Dequan Finn is back, top 5 backs and WRs back, 3 returning OL starters
Defense: replacing a lot up front but excellent secondary returns
Schedule notes: At Illinois 9/2, Host San Jose State 9/16, at Miami 10/21, Buffalo 10/31
Takeaways: With the exception of opening at Illinois, every game is winnable, if Dequan Finn stays healthy this team repeats as MAC champion again
12. Western Michigan Broncos
- Win total: O/U 3.5
- Odds to win conference championship: +5000
- Head coach: Lance Taylor
- 2022 record: 5-7(6-5-1 ATS)
- Bowl game result: DNQ
- 2022 total offense: 119
- 2022 total defense: 50
Offense: anemic last year, four QBs threw passes and top guy threw for 7TD and 11 INTs
Defense: only 3 of 12 top defenders are back after a huge jump into the top 50 on D last year
Schedule notes: At Syracuse 9/9, at Iowa 9/16, at Miss State 10/7
Takeaways: Do not need to read past the QB room here, going to struggle all around this year and they miss out on Kent State so should be underdogs in almost every game
MACtion Takeaways:
Plays: Northern Illinois O 5.5 wins -128 FD, Kent State Under 2.5 wins -120
Leans: Bowling Green Under 5.5, Ohio over 7.5 wins
Other plays I like: Eastern Michigan unders, Miami unders, Northern Illinois overs
Conference prediction: Toledo over Miami
Conference preview disclaimer:
Most of my information was obtained from Bill Connelly’s conference previews on ESPN and the Cover 3 Podcast’s Summer School hosted by Bud Elliott. Thanks to them for saving me an abundance of time in accumulating information on each team. This is all for fun and pure enjoyment so apologies in advance for any incorrect information including misspellings in names, changes in odds, or players listed on the wrong team as the revolving door on the transfer portal never stops. Lastly, sorry if any bias is present in any of my takes, but if it seems like I hate one team more than another, it is probably because I hate one team more than another.