A Wild Start to MAC Play: Anyone’s Title to Win
This season has already delivered stunning conference results, proving just how competitive the MAC has become. One of the biggest surprises came when Buffalo knocked off Northern Illinois 30-15, just one week after Northern Illinois shocked #12 Notre Dame with a 16-14 win.
The victory over Notre Dame sent the Huskies into the Buffalo game as the 23rd-ranked team in the country, with hopes of riding their momentum to the top of the MAC standings. However, Buffalo had other plans, spoiling Northern Illinois’ celebration with a 23-20 OT win. This rollercoaster week perfectly encapsulates the unpredictability of MAC football, where no team is safe, even those riding high from national upsets.
This past weekend in the MAC, Bowling Green stunned Toledo 41-26 in the Battle of I-75, shaking up the standings and putting the Falcons back in contention. Meanwhile, Ohio made a statement with a dominant 47-16 win over Buffalo, bouncing back from a 30-20 loss to Miami last week and maintaining a hold of their place as a top contender. At the same time, Ball State kept their season alive with a narrow 25-23 victory over Northern Illinois, proving that even the mid-tier teams can play spoiler. These results showcase the razor-thin margins separating the top teams from the rest of the field.
The Contenders: No Clear Front-Runners
As the standings take shape, Western Michigan leads the pack with an undefeated conference record (4-0), but their toughest games lie ahead. They’ll face Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, and Eastern Michigan in the coming weeks, any of which could derail their perfect run.
Toledo, despite a couple of setbacks, remains a contender. With key games against Ohio and Eastern Michigan, the Rockets have a chance to control their destiny. Miami, the defending champions, looks poised to make another title run but must navigate pivotal games against Ball State, Northern Illinois, and Bowling Green.
Ohio has reemerged as a top contender, fueled by their blowout win over Buffalo. However, their path is anything but easy, with upcoming matchups against Toledo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan looking to play spoiler.
Despite their losses to Buffalo, Ball State, and Toledo, Northern Illinois is still very much alive in the race. If the Huskies can regain the form that led them to the upset over Notre Dame, they’ll have a chance to claw their way back into championship contention.
Upcoming #MACtion Games to Watch: Offense vs. Defense Showdowns
Midweek #MACtion will once again bring the conference into the national spotlight, with several marquee matchups set to shape the race for Detroit. Here are some games to watch, with a closer look at key players and trends:
11/6: Northern Illinois at Western Michigan– This matchup features a clash of the MAC’s top offense vs. top defense. Western Michigan, averaging 34 points per game (44.8 in conference play), will lean heavily on star RB Jaden Nixon, who leads the MAC with 752 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. On the other side, Northern Illinois boasts the top-ranked defense, allowing just 17.6 points per game. However, their offense has struggled, scoring just 16.5 points per game in conference play, the worst in the MAC. This game could be the ultimate chess match—can Western Michigan’s high-powered offense crack the Huskies' defense?
1/19: Toledo vs. Ohio– Another must-watch game, this matchup features two of the most balanced teams in the conference. Toledo ranks second in the MAC in scoring (29.1 PPG), while Ohio is right behind them with a defense that allows just 21.6 PPG. Both teams pride themselves on stopping the run, with Ohio allowing only 117.5 rushing yards per game, second-best in the MAC, and Toledo close behind at 133.1 YPG. Ohio’s offense will rely heavily on RB Tyus Anthony, who ranks second in the MAC with 610 rushing yards, while dual-threat QB Parker Navarro—who has 515 yards on the ground and 1,217 through the air—adds another layer to Ohio's attack. The winner of this game will likely punch their ticket to the MAC Championship.
11/29: Bowling Green vs. Miami– Miami, which boasts the second-best defense in the conference (19.9 PPG), will be tested by Ohio’s explosive rushing attack. Meanwhile, Bowling Green, Miami’s upcoming opponent, has allowed just 17.3 PPG in conference play, the second-best mark among MAC teams. Bowling Green has shown they can play up to their competition, taking both Texas A&M (26-20 L) and Penn State (30-27 L) down to the wire earlier this season. They also narrowly edged Akron 27-20, underscoring their ability to play in tight games. Terion Stewart (4th in MAC rushing, 557 yards) and Harold Fannin Jr. (MAC-leading 946 receiving yards) will look to carry the Falcons down the stretch, while Miami’s Kenyon Mozee, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, adds another offensive weapon to watch.
Spoilers Could Shake Up the Standings
Even teams on the outside of the championship race could play a significant role in shaping the final standings. Akron and Kent State both have chances to disrupt contenders, with games against Buffalo, Ohio, and Toledo still to come. Central Michigan, already with an upset over Eastern Michigan on their résumé, could further shake things up in their matchups with Northern Illinois and Toledo.
With the MAC's deep and balanced field, even one upset could alter the course of the title race. The contenders will need to be sharp every week—especially with quick turnarounds for midweek games—because no team is safe from playing spoiler.