The Mid-American Conference has been a bastion of consistency in college football, with the same teams showcasing their competitive spirit year after year. Known for their reliable mediocrity, the MAC teams have collectively achieved a 14-15 record in bowl games over the past five years.
They profit from paycheck games, deliver memorable MACtion on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and occasionally produce a first-round NFL Draft pick — just as they did this past spring with Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell going 22nd overall.
While the conference may not always make headlines with high-profile achievements, it has served as a launching pad for renowned coaches to make their mark in the sport.
Brian Kelly won a MAC title with Central Michigan before moving on to Cincinnati, Notre Dame and LSU, while P.J. Fleck took Western Michigan to a Cotton Bowl before becoming Minnesota's head coach. Most recently, Lance Leipold led Buffalo to three straight bowl games before he started thriving at Kansas.
The MAC's legacy of providing opportunities for coaches to shine and teams to compete on a national stage continues to define its unique place in college football.
But it doesn't matter which coaches or players are on the sidelines or the field — MACtion is MACtion, and there will be chaos.
With that said, let's dive into all 12 teams and my best bets in my 2024 MAC preview.
2024 MAC Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | +230 |
| Toledo | +320 |
| Bowling Green | +650 |
| Western Michigan | +650 |
| Northern Illinois | +750 |
| Ohio | +1200 |
| Central Michigan | +1200 |
| Eastern Michigan | +3100 |
| Ball State | +3700 |
| Buffalo | +4200 |
| Akron | +6500 |
| Kent State | +12000 |
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Miami (OH) enjoyed a breakthrough last year, using an elite defense and special teams unit to clinch its fourth MAC title in two decades.
The RedHawks' defense put the team on its back following the injury to starting quarterback Brett Gabbert, holding opponents to under 16 points per game, which ranked eighth nationally.
Gabbert to Lead Miami (OH)
Heading into the upcoming season, Miami (OH) boasts a solid foundation with six returning starters on defense and the seasoned leadership of quarterback Brett Gabbert, who enters the season with a green light from the medical staff.
Last season's gruesome leg injury is in the rearview mirror, but keeping Gabbert out of harm's way in 2024 is Miami's top priority.
Despite facing injury challenges throughout his career, Gabbert injects potency into the offense when on the field. In his last fully healthy season in 2021, Gabbert threw for 2,648 yards to go along with 26 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
The offensive line touts experience with four returning starters, providing stability upfront.
In the backfield, the departure of Rashad Amos to Ole Miss is offset by the emergence of new running backs like Kenny Tracy and Jordan Brunson, offering power and strength in the backfield.
Despite the emerging pieces, Miami (OH) lost offensive coordinator Jacob Bronowski to Pitt and big-play receiver Gage Larvadain to South Carolina.
It's also worth noting that Groza Award-winning kicker Graham Nicholson left for Alabama after a stellar season that featured many crucial kicks when the team needed them most.
The RedHawks face a demanding schedule early on, featuring matchups against tough opponents like Northwestern, Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Toledo by early October.
However, the latter part of the schedule presents home-field spots against key rivals like Ohio and Central Michigan, creating opportunities for the RedHawks to assert dominance and build on their recent success as MAC champions.
You're not going to believe it, but Jason Candle blew it.
Last season, the Rockets faced heartbreak as they lost a close game by two points at Illinois, squandering a 12-point second-half lead. To add to their disappointment, the Rockets fell short in the MAC Championship despite being favored, missing out on a chance to play in a New Year's Six bowl.
Can Toledo Rebound After Heartbreaking Losses?
This year, Toledo faces a significant challenge, as its entire offensive line has departed, along with key playmakers in quarterback Dequan Finn and running back Peny Boone.
Tucker Gleason takes over under center after throwing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Gleason also brings a bit of mobility as a runner, adding versatility to the Rockets' attack.
On defense, Toledo will need to fill the void left by first-round NFL draft pick Quinyon Mitchell and All-MAC selection Chris McDonald at cornerback.
Despite these losses, many publications have named six Rockets players first- or second-team All-MAC, showcasing the team's defensive prowess.
Under the coaching of defensive coordinator Vince Kehres, Toledo's defense has shown improvement over the years with its SP+ ranking steadily climbing:
- 2019: 121st
- 2020: 112th
- 2021: 79th
- 2022: 67th
- 2023: 32nd
The Rockets face a favorable start to the season with two relatively easy games and a potential upset opportunity against a rebuilding Mississippi State team on the road. However, a tricky matchup at Western Kentucky also awaits.
Key games against Miami (OH) on Oct. 5 and Bowling Green on Oct. 26 will also be critical in determining how the season goes. Toledo will aim to showcase its defensive strength and adapt on offense to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
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Bowling Green heads into the upcoming season with high hopes after reaching bowl season with a 7-6 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the MAC.
Fannin, Brown Lead Falcons' Stars
One of the key strengths of the Falcons is their standout players, led by NFL prospect Harold Fannin Jr. at tight end and star safety CJ Brown.
With a strong offensive line led by four returning starters and the return of running back Terion Stewart — who had the highest PFF offensive grade of any running back in the country last season — the Falcons have a solid offensive core.
Defensively, the Falcons were a strong unit by MAC standards last season and are looking to build on that with the return of six starters. However, they'll need their new linebackers to gel in order to hold up against the run.
The Falcons have some likely wins on their schedule, including matchups against Fordham, Old Dominion, Kent State, and Western Michigan, which all come at home.
However, they also have four likely losses against Toledo, Penn State, Texas A&M and Miami (OH). That means coin-flip games against Akron, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan and Ball State will be paramount.
Entering Year 6, head coach Scot Loeffler has just one winning season to his name. But it's worth noting that he has performed well as a favorite.
The Falcons are 9-3 straight up when favored under Loeffler and have been particularly feisty against MAC big dog Toledo. They upset the Rockets in 2022 and lost a nail-biter to the Rockets, 32-31, last fall.
My Best Bet: Over 6.5 Wins · Bowling Green to Win MAC +650
Western Michigan could be just as good as Central Michigan or better, but it faces a challenging schedule, starting off with tough matchups on the road against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Marshall.
However, the Broncos have the advantage of avoiding Miami (OH) and Toledo, teams that beat them by 31 points last season.
Quarterback Hayden Wolff returns under center, but his performance last year leaves room for improvement. With only two starts posting QBRs over 55, I consider him a C+ starter.
On a positive note, they bring back 1,000-yard rusher Jalen Buckley at running back, as well as four returning starters on the offensive line.
Western Michigan's offensive line ranked in the top 35 in both run- and pass-blocking among Group of Five schools, indicating its strength in protecting the quarterback and creating holes for the ground game.
Defense to Lead Western Michigan?
The defensive line could potentially be a strong suit for the Broncos, especially if Louisville transfer Popeye Williams becomes a significant pass-rushing threat.
With two linebackers and two cornerbacks returning from a serviceable defense, the team has pieces in place for a solid stop unit.
With Scott Power taking over as defensive coordinator, the focus is on improving the pass defense and forcing turnovers. In his previous coaching stint at Louisiana Tech, his defense forced 22 turnovers in 12 games, ranking 22nd in the nation. Emphasizing a more aggressive approach to creating turnovers could pay off for the Broncos this year.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, excelled in protecting the football last season, ranking in the top 20 in giveaways.
Despite the challenging early schedule, Western Michigan has the potential to surprise down the stretch. With winnable games against Akron, Kent State, Bethune Cookman and Eastern Michigan taking place at home, the team could go as far as turning a 1-3 record into a 7-5 season.
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Northern Illinois is coming off a successful 7-6 season that culminated in a Camellia Bowl victory over Arkansas State. Following that winning season, the Huskies' win total for the upcoming season comes in at 6.5, with odds of +750 to win the MAC.
Mix of Old & New in DeKalb
One area of strength for the Huskies is their offensive line, which returns four starters. Running back Antario Brown is poised for a breakout season running behind that unit.
New offensive coordinator Wesley Beschorner moves up from the D-III level at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He loved to feed his feature backs, turning to a single bellcow for 225-plus carries in both 2021 and 2022, according to Joe DiSalvo of theCFFsite.
Now that the Rocky Lombardi era has concluded in DeKalb, Beschorner will need to settle on a quarterback option. Ethan Hampton has experience in the MAC and Jalen “Chance” Macon, a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, impressed with his running ability in the spring. Neither will be asked to take over games through the air.
Macon, who stands at an imposing 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, could bring a dynamic element to the team. And it's worth noting that NIU also brought in his top pass-catching target from Pine Bluff in Kenji Lewis.
The team's success late in the previous season can be attributed to its solid defense, particularly in the secondary. Three key defensive backs return from the sixth-ranked pass defense in the nation, giving the Huskies a potentially elite unit.
They feasted on low-end quarterback play last year due to schedule luck and a run of backup quarterbacks suiting up against them. But there won't be a bumper crop of quarterbacks awaiting them in the MAC this season.
Looking at the schedule, Northern Illinois has several games it should win, including matchups against Western Illinois, Buffalo, UMass, Akron and Central Michigan. All five of those games take place at home.
However, the Huskies also face tougher challenges with likely losses coming at the hands of Notre Dame, NC State, Miami (OH) and Toledo. That makes toss-up games against Bowling Green, Ball State, and Western Michigan all the more important.
Despite the challenges ahead, NIU has the potential to build on its success from last season and make a statement in the MAC.
My Best Bet: Northern Illinois to Make MAC Championship (+260)
Ohio team had its chance last year, winning 10 games and finishing with a 6-2 conference record. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they fell short with losses to Northern Illinois and Miami (OH).
Now, they face the challenge of rebuilding with a win total of 6.5 and +1200 odds to win the MAC.
The team faces major setbacks after losing a significant number of players, resulting in a -12 net TARP (transfer assets and returning production) — dead last in the country. They have only one starter returning on each side of the ball, making it a tough road ahead for the Bobcats.
Can Bobcats Move On From Rourke(s)?
Star quarterback Kurtis Rourke will be greatly missed after an impressive 2022 season in which he threw for 3,256 yards, 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Last season, he racked up 2,207 yards, 11 scores and five picks through the air, so he'll still be tough to replace.
With his brother, Nathan, previously starting at quarterback for Ohio, a Rourke has led the Bobs in passing in each of the past seven seasons.
Projected starter Parker Navarro threw only 26 passes last season, resulting in 185 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Additionally, defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky has departed for Memphis, leaving the team with new leadership on the defensive side of the ball in what is certainly a Year 0.
The Bobcats will be tested early in the season with matchups against South Alabama and Kentucky, setting the tone for what will be a challenging journey.
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After winning eight games in head coach Jim McElwain's first year and nine in his third, Central Michigan has gone 9-15 (6-11 in MAC) over the past two seasons.
McElwain's team has finished first or second in the West twice, so a 5-7 record last season with a 3-5 mark in conference play wasn't ideal for the Chippewas.
Heading into Year 6 of the McElwain era, CMU has a win total set at 5.5 and +1200 odds to win the MAC.
Emanuel Highlights CMU's Reasons for Optimism
There are reasons for optimism, however, as quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. has shown flashes of stardom, although injuries slowed him down last season. He showcased his talent with a remarkable four-touchdown game against New Hampshire last season and an all-time MACtion performance against Buffalo in 2022, rushing for 293 yards and three touchdowns.
With the return of running back Marion Lukes and the receiving corps, as well as a relatively green offensive line with both tackles back, the offense has potential.
Quarterback Joe Labas also transfers in from Iowa and provides depth and flexibility in case Emanuel can't play effectively or gets injured.
Defensively, Central Michigan struggled to force turnovers, ranking third-worst nationally in that category. However, the Chips have solid starters at all levels and have added transfers like Notre Dame's Nolan Ziegler to bolster their linebacker corps.
A major change for the team is the shift in nonconference games, with matchups against Illinois and San Diego State replacing showdowns with Michigan State and Notre Dame.
With seven winnable games on the schedule, including games against Central Connecticut State, Ball State, Ohio and in-state rivals Western Michigan, the team has opportunities to make strides this upcoming season.
Five of those games will be played at home, providing a potential advantage for Central Michigan as it looks to improve its record and compete in the MAC once again.
Eastern Michigan is facing a challenging outlook for the upcoming season after a 6-7 (4-4 in MAC) record last year, which ended in a big loss to South Alabama in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
With a current win total of 4.5 and long odds of 31-1 in the MAC, the Eagles have their work cut out for them.
Cole Snyder takes over at quarterback after stops at Rutgers and Buffalo, providing some experience at the helm. However, he threw for fewer than 200 yards in nine of his 12 games and threw only 13 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions.
Why to Bet Eastern Michigan's Under
The team also faces a significant hurdle with just one returning starter on the offensive line, indicating a lack of continuity and experience that exists across the entire roster.
The Eagles own a net TARP of -12, which is tied for last place nationally.
Eastern Michigan struggled to secure quality wins last season with narrow victories over Howard by 10 points and UMass by two, as well as close double-overtime wins over Kent State and Akron. Then, its season ended with a massive 49-point loss to the Jaguars in their bowl game.
The absence of key playmaker Samson Evans at running back further complicates their offensive outlook, while the back seven of the defense will also deal with bringing in new faces.
Evans quite literally carried this offense at times, scoring seven touchdowns in the Eagles' four conference wins last fall. Without its offensive engine in place, I expect the EMU offense to sputter.
Looking at their schedule, the Eagles have tough matchups on the horizon against Washington and Jacksonville State early in the season. Their only winnable games appear to be against St. Francis (PA) at home, as well as Kent State and Akron on the road.
The challenges facing Eastern Michigan are significant. With a lack of experience, key losses in personnel and tough competition ahead, I'm out on the Eagles.
My Best Bet: Eastern Michigan Under 4.5 Wins
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Ball State football finds itself in a challenging position after ending last season with a 4-8 record, including a 3-5 conference mark.
Cardinals May Struggle With Turnover
The Cardinals have just one starter returning from a defense that performed admirably, finishing 14th against the run and 17th in total yards allowed. This unit played a crucial role in keeping the team competitive throughout the season.
However, the departure of defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton to Boise State is big. He was a big reason behind the unit's success in 2023.
Additionally, the offensive side will see changes with the departure of offensive coordinator Kevin Lynch.
Head coach Mike Neu will be looking to groom a new quarterback, with redshirt freshman Kadin Semonza being the likely starter.
Despite throwing three touchdowns and five interceptions, Semonza showed a bit of promise in three starts last season. That was especially true in the season opener against Kentucky in which he completed 15 of his 21 passes with a score and no picks.
However, the offense will also have new faces at tight end and receiver, as well as three new starters on the offensive line.
Ball State faces a tough schedule ahead, including matchups against Miami, Miami (OH), James Madison and Vanderbilt. Luckily for the Cardinals, they do have the benefit of avoiding Toledo.
The team's potential wins include games against Missouri State, Kent State, Buffalo and Ohio, but it can't slip up in those games or any others.
With several changes on both sides of the ball and a challenging schedule, I'm going to take the under in Semonza's first season as a full-time starter.
The Bulls had a disappointing season last year, finishing with a record of 3-9 overall and 3-5 in conference play. With a projected win total of 4.5 and long odds of 42-1 to win the MAC, the Bulls are looking to turn things around under new head coach Pete Lembo.
Former head coach Maurice Linguist departed to join Alabama as co-defensive coordinator, leaving Lembo to take charge of a team with several key positions to fill.
New Faces Fill Buffalo's Roster, Sideline
However, Lembo brings valuable MAC experience, having won 19 games in a two-year stretch at Ball State. He inherits a team with new faces at quarterback, running back and wide receiver but a solid offensive line that returns four starters.
Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude has a history of utilizing a primary running back in his play-calling.
The offense may have another player to keep an eye on, as emerging talent Nik McMillan showed promise in the spring game at wide receiver.
On the defensive side, the Bulls have some potential with standout players such as Shaun Dolac, a tackling machine who decided to return after exploring the transfer portal. Edge rusher C.J. Bazile and former All-American safety Marcus Fuqua add strength and depth to the defense.
Buffalo has winnable games on its schedule against Lafayette, UMass, Western Michigan and Kent State at home, along with Akron on the road. The team also has opportunities for upsets against UConn, Ohio, Ball State, and Eastern Michigan.
If you explore the over, you'll never be drawing dead with this schedule.
With a solid defense and potential for growth on offense, the Bulls will look to make a statement in the upcoming season under new leadership.
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Akron struggled a lot last season, finishing with a 2-10 overall record and a 1-7 record in MAC play. With a projected win total of 3.5 and long odds of 65-1 to win the conference, the Zips are just looking to take a step forward under head coach Joe Moorhead.
Despite a challenging season, the defense showed promise by allowing only 28 points per game in 2022. The Zips ranked 32nd in total defense and 22nd against the pass.
Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar has been instrumental in the team's defensive success, and now he has most of the front seven returning.
However, the secondary remains a concern with four starters needed to fill the back five positions. Notable additions include safety Daymon David, a former blue-chip recruit from Oregon, and the return of cornerback Darrian Lewis in the slot.
Offense Could Be a Struggle for Zips
The offensive side of the ball showed less promise.
The offense suffered a number of close losses last season, including three overtime games against Indiana, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan.
Quarterback Ben Finley, a transfer from NC State and Cal, joins the team this year, while wide receiver Alex Adams returns to provide some consistency. However, the offensive line remains a work in progress.
Akron has winnable games on its schedule, including matchups against Colgate, Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo and Kent State.
With a solid defense and potential improvements on offense, the Zips need to show something under Moorhead, or things could be changing soon.
Kent State faced a challenging season in 2023, finishing with a 1-11 record, including an 0-8 mark in conference play.
The team's win total for the upcoming season sits at 2.5, and its odds to win the MAC come in at 20-1.
Year 0 was a struggle for new head coach Kenni Burns, with the offense averaging just over 14 points per game to rank 130th in scoring. On the other side, the defense conceded nearly 35 points per game.
Burns' team fell short in nearly every game against nonconference opponents and suffered substantial losses in MAC games, losing by 19 points per game.
Can Kent Keep Improving?
Despite the struggles, the Golden Flashes showed signs of improvement toward the end, with glimpses of offensive sparks in games against Akron (27 points), Bowling Green (19) and Northern Illinois (27).
Quarterback Tommy Ulatowski also flashed potential with four total touchdowns against Akron and 284 yards against Bowling Green.
While the Flashes couldn't run the ball well, they return a few starters who could help the ground game improve.
Kent State's secondary receives a boost with James Madison's Xavier Cokley and San Diego State's Dallas Branch transferring in to enhance the team's defensive capabilities.
Looking ahead, winnable games against St. Francis (PA), Akron and Ohio offer opportunities for the Golden Flashes to rebound and showcase progress in the upcoming season.
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2024 MAC Futures & Best Bets
- Bowling Green Over 6.5 Wins · To Win MAC +650
- Northern Illinois to Make MAC Championship (+260)
- Eastern Michigan Under 4.5 Wins
