Get Ready for MACtion: Mid-American Conference Preview

 Here I was laughing to myself about how bad Conference USA is and how I was going to do their breakdown next, but figured I should crunch some numbers as I work my way down from worst to best conferences. After that number crunching, I was appalled to find no MAC teams in the Top 50 to begin the year, but a whole bunch located in the triple digits. Toledo, Ohio, and Eastern Michigan are on the watchlist, but MAC schools don't usually invite themselves into the top tier of the rankings until about Week 7 after they've shaken off a Big Ten beatdown or a surprise loss to an FCS school in overtime. 

It is both strange and relieving to see EMU at the top of the conference as they actually shared the West title with Toledo, but the Rockets got to represent the West in the MAC Championship. Ohio had it good in the East last season but might face some stiffer competition in a conference that is as unpredictable as any. Here's a look at the schools that will fill your need for football on Tuesdays and Wednesdays come November.

West:

Toledo

Head Coach: Jason Candle (8th Season, 54-32)

Last Year Record (Rank): 9-5 (39)

Preseason Rank: 56

Prediction: 9-3

What's ahead: Last year the Rockets were challenged for supremacy in the MAC, but when it came down to when it mattered the most, DeQuan Finn and company took care of business once again. Toledo brings back 16 starters from that championship squad and has the potential to get to double-figure wins this season, but it's also the MAC, so throw everything out the window. However, you slice it, the road to Detroit runs through Toledo, literally for all the MAC schools not located in Michigan already.

Eastern Michigan

Head Coach: Chris Creighton (9th Season, 46-61)

LYR: 9-4 (35)

PR: 62

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: The Eagles finally won a bowl game for the first time since 1987 and even earned a share of the MAC West with Toledo. Those are great building blocks for Chris Creighton, but they will have to find a way to win with a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball. Luckily, some key pieces like running back Samson Evans and slot receiver Tanner Knue return to help Austin Smith, who started a few games for EMU in 2022. Perhaps the loudest and most confident corner in the MAC, Kempton Shine, returns to back up his smack talk on a defense that must replace Jose Ramirez (one of two Eagles drafted). Could the Eagles make a mark in the Twin Cities with another Big Ten win, sure, but when for them, the question is whether they can slay the dragon that dons blue and gold.

Western Michigan

Head Coach: Lance Taylor (1st Season)

LYR: 5-7 (94)

PR: 105

Prediction: 4-8

What's Ahead: The Lance Taylor ere begins in Kalamazoo after a rough season for the Broncos. The defense played well in 2022, but the offense ranked 118th in scoring. Not many faces return and maybe that's a good thing, but 2023 will likely be a growing year for the Broncos.

Northern Illinois

Head Coach: Thomas Hammock (5th Season, 17-27)

LYR: 3-9 (120)

PR: 111

Prediction: 7-5

What's ahead: Rocky Lombardi returns for one more year to try and help the Huskies back to MAC West glory. He won't have much returning in the skills department, but NIU brings back an experienced defense that wants to avoid the letdown of 2022. I see a bounce-back year for the Huskies which means they'll go 0-12 and Hammock will get fired.

Central Michigan

Head Coach: Jim McElwain (5th Season, 24-21)

LYR: 4-8 (110)

PR: 112

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Chippewas were just three points away from going 6-6 and heading to a bowl game, but some weird bounces and weather kept them sitting at home. The offense will feature many new faces including transfer Stephen Bracey Jr. from Wisconsin to help the receiving corp. The defense has a majority of the starters returning including All-MAC DT Robi Stuart and DB Dante Kent, and leaving tackler Kyle Moretti. If the offense clicks, they can challenge Toledo, but mediocrity awaits if they don't.

Ball State

Head Coach: Mike Neu (8th Season, 33-48)

LYR: 5-7 (99)

PR: 115

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: They lost four games by seven points or less and subsequently stayed home during bowl season. Now they have to replace the bulldozer Carson Steele at running back, along with many other positions on that side of the ball. Clayton Coll returns to lead a respectable defense, but ultimately it seems like rough sailing for the boys from Muncie.

East:

Ohio

Head Coach: Tim Albin (3rd Season, 13-13)

LYR: 10-4 (25)

PR: 61

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: If Kurtis Rourke is healthy come MACtion, then the Bobcats roll through the East and head back to Detroit looking for their first MAC title since 1968. If he's not then their Battle of the Bricks foe in Oxford will be up for the challenge. They can make some splashes against some tough Group of 5 schools on the road and then get a chance to stun Iowa State in Athens. There are a lot of good things for the Marching 110 to celebrate.

Buffalo

Head Coach: Maurice Linguist (3rd Season, 11-14)

LYR: 7-6 (62)

PR: 85

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: Cole Snyder can keep the Bulls in just about any game, but it'll be interesting to see if they'll be able to overcome a slow start like they did in 2022. There's not as much support on the offense, but look for the Bulls to be an annoying foe in 2023.

Miami (OH)

Head Coach: Chuck Martin (9th Season, 45-59)

LYR: 6-7 (84)

PR: 86

Prediction: 8-4

What's ahead: Brett Gabbert is always dangerous and he's got a defense to support him on the other side. The Redhawks allowed just 22.6 points per game last season, but could only score 20.2 per game. Can Gabbert lead the Redhawks over their rivals in Athens or will it be more mediocrity from Oxford?

Bowling Green

Head Coach: Scott Loeffler (5th Season, 13-29)

LYR: 6-7 (79)

PR: 101

Prediction: 4-8

What's ahead: When they figure out who is going to play quarterback, then maybe I'd feel better, but those first five weeks are brutal and will be tough to gain confidence. If they can find the right man, then maybe this turns into another 6-6 campaign, but the MAC is forever a mystery.

Kent State

Head Coach: Kenni Burns (1st Season)

LYR: 5-7 (95)

PR: 117

Prediction: 2-10

What's ahead: In one of the more head-scratching decisions of the off-season, head coach Sean Lewis left the brand that he had built in Kent to take an assistants job for Deion Sanders in Colorado. Former Minnesota assistant Kenni Burns takes over the reins of a team gutted by the transfer portal. The offense will have no returning starters from 2022 and the defense brings back 5. At least they play Akron once this season.

Akron

Head Coach: Joe Morehead (2nd Season, 2-10)

LYR: 2-10 (126)

PR: 128

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: The Zips have a dual-threat quarterback in DJ Irons and a linebacker that's been in college longer than some doctors. Bubba Arslanian was granted a seventh year of eligibility and for some reason is deciding to spend all this time in Akron.