After a wildly competitive 2025 CFB season and eventful offseason. The Mid-American Conference greets 2026 in typical MAC fashion! Having plenty of talent to showcase and is ready for some action. Losing Northern Illinois University to the Mountain West Conference and gaining a new foe this year in Sacramento State University, joining from the Big Sky Conference.
Along with the MAC’s 270 incoming transfers (conference total), including players from all divisions and all over the nation, might lead some to assume the MAC has “lost its identity” of grit, excitement, and integrity. I assure you, the league is alive, well, and ready for some MAC(TION!) Are you? If you aren’t yet, let’s get caught up before Week 0, where Eastern Michigan and Sacramento State open the year in Ypsilanti, MI on Aug 29th, on ESPN+.
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Sacramento State
The former FCS program made the jump upwards into the MAC at the FBS level. Coach Alonzo Carter, first-year HC, has entered both Sacramento State and the MAC alike, with title contention on his mind. With that being said, Coach wants to stick to the fundamentals. Coach Carter said in an interview with Fox40 News, “We’re sticking to processes [this season], over outcomes. We’re a team built on effort; mistakes happen. This is our prove-it year. They are now the league’s furthest west team, in comparison to the other programs in the MAC. Carter doesn’t plan on letting excuses like travel or weather get in his team’s way. Carter has honed his craft of being able to rally together troops and make something out of seemingly nothing during his coaching career. 2026 seems to be the perfect scenario for Sacramento State to “Prove it” this year.
Akron
If you haven’t heard the social media frenzy regarding Akron’s “Offensive Coordinator of the Game,” look no further. The importance of this season has never been understated by fifth-year HC Joe Moorhead. He and his staff went into extensive work this past off-season. Walking into what could be widely characterized as a “Hot Seat” year, with the past four seasons being bleak and leaving their overall record at (13-35). That did not stop Akron from creating a once-in-a-lifetime raffle ticket opportunity for one lucky season ticket holder this upcoming season. The raffle winner gets to coordinate the offense’s opening drive during their home opener on Sat, Sep 12th. Vs. Robert Morris University. On the field this year, the Zips will surely rely heavily on their offense, mainly the rushing attack, to start their 26′ MAC campaign. Heading into the season with 19 new transfers. One being veteran QB Reese Poffenbarger from Albany, who should pair nicely with their current Preseason Maxwell Award List, RB Jordan Grant. He led the team with 1,032 yards on the ground in 2025.
Kent State
Kent State‘s stock has been steadily trending upwards in the last calendar year, since second-year HC Mark Carney took over. The team finished his debut season (5-7) last fall, which is a step up from his predecessor Kenni Burns. He only had one win with a staggering 23 losses. Kent State’s offense has a confident Soph. QB, Dru DeShields, who was a major component of last year’s offensive success. Throwing for 18 TD’s with only 3 INT’s and a total of 2,030 yards in the air. Look for him to continue maturing and leading that offense. CJ Conrad, former Special teams coordinator, accepted a job this year with the Miami Dolphins this offseason. This could throw off the 2025 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, Da’Realyst Clark. A top performer for the Flashes as a KR/WR. Considering Clark finished last season with 453 return yards, and two returns brought back for TD’s. Something tells me he’ll be just fine with former Kent St QB, NFL All-Pro, and HOFer Josh Cribbs, taking over as Special Teams Analyst. Who said in a conversation with Coach Carney, “I’m most excited for big plays on special teams”!
UMass
“0-12” Isn’t the best way to start a paragraph, but I bet if you were to ask second-year HC Joe Harasymiak. It’s probably not how you want to end your first season coaching either. University of Massachusetts’ second stint in the MAC didn’t go any better this time around. With the Minutemen being ranked in the bottom two or three of most preseason polls, due to last season finishing with a total of zero wins and in last place for overall DEF(136th) and OFF(136th). That hasn’t seemed to waver the minds of those within the organization. Bringing in the fourth-most transfers (24) in the MAC this offseason. Key transfers being QB’s, William Watson III, from Virginia Tech, and RJ Johnson III, from Florida A&M. They’re both in prime positions to compete for the starting spot. They’re also joined by two young high-potential EDGE rushers, who played in the BIG10 at Indiana. Brothers Andrew and William DePaepe. The Minutemen seem to have the pieces needed to get the momentum headed in the right direction. All we can do is wait and see if they put them together correctly.
Bowling Green
The Falcons put up a decent bout last fall, finishing (4-8). Last year, in 4x Pro Bowler Eddie George’s first year as HC, they fell short of a bowl game. This may have been a relatively new feeling for tenured athletes at Bowling Green University, as they had made three bowl games in the prior three seasons to George’s arrival from Tennessee State. The team’s former success had a lot to do with the leadership and the production that they’ve lost to the transfer portal, graduation, and the NFL. Nine of their top tacklers from last year’s defense are gone. Bringing in defensive additions: Selah Brown (6’2-290lbs) from Louisville and Timothy Taylor Jr. (6’0-280) from Jacksonville State. Should help ease some of the defensive pains. As QB transfer from Oregon, former ‘ESPN300’ recruit. Austin Novosad attempts to regain some traction for the Falcons on the offensive end. George said he feels “far more prepared the second time around”. They’ve got their eyes set on what would be George’s first bowl game appearance.
Ball State
After finishing (4-8) and with the second-to-last-rated offense in the nation (134th) last fall, HC Mike Uremovich and the coaching staff at Ball State University Got right to work in the portal following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Having five losing seasons in a row, the Cardinals have brought in a very young and developmental core group of transfers. Most of which are second and third year, redshirt players who will still have time to work under the new system and with their new teammates. The transfer class, although led mainly by OL/DL signees, will also feature two new QB transfers and bring in 5 total TE’s.
Along with transfer RB Johnny Thompson from Kansas, the sheer volume of the 26 new faces from the portal (Third in the MAC) may throw you off, but it should help them give a slight competitive edge back! I believe we’re getting ready to see a ‘Rushing attack’ centered season from Ball State, based on the heavy offensive personnel they have signed. I expect to see them attempt to establish the run at the forefront of every game!
Eastern Michigan
Entering his 13th season at the helm of the program, Coach Chris Creighton of Eastern Michigan University is no stranger to the ups and downs of the Mid-American Conference. The 2025 campaign ended with a sullen (4-8) record and with the highest offensive performer, former RB Dontae McMillan, moving on to the NFL. Bringing in two highly anticipated RB’s, Braydon Bennett, R-SR, from Virginia Tech. And Malachi James, FR, from Syracuse. Among the 12 total transfers brought in, that had to be step number one for Creighton, and now the starting position in the backfield is up in the air. Shaping up to what might narrowly be Coach Creighton’s fourth losing season in a row. Will his tyranny of stability be on the fritz after this season, or will he and his team rise to the occasion and lock in a chance to fight for a bowl game victory this year?
Buffalo Bulls
The Buffalo Bulls, led by HC Pete Lembo, seem ready to shatter expectations this upcoming fall. Coach Lembo mentions the “detective work – emphasizing nuances of the game”. They have been able to accomplish this off-season. Also pointed out the importance of focusing on details and pushing his athletes to continue competing and supporting each other. The detective work shows up in the scouting report without a doubt; totaling 19 transfers, and only 6 of them being offensive players, says a lot. Following a productive 3,040 yards in the air last season, QB Elijah Holmes. DII transfer from Wingate is going to be stiff and formidable competition for R-FR QB Jason Wright. Who’s a dynamic dual threat athlete who has yet to see any game time on the field with the Bulls.
Toledo Rockets
Coach Jason Candle finished up his coaching stint at Toledo with a final record of (8-5). Before accepting the HC position at UConn, for the last 10 years, Coach Candle willed Toledo to stand amongst the top schools in the MAC for the past four to five seasons. Consistently doing the little right things correctly, on defense and special teams, year in and year out. Now Mike Jacobs, formerly at Lenoir-Rhyne where he had a (32-9) record in three seasons, from 20′-23′. Followed by leading the program at Mercer University, where he went (20-6) in his two seasons, going to the FCS Playoffs as the HC in 24′-25′.
To offset the immense amount lost in the portal with Candle’s departure. Coach Jones brought with him in the portal Andrew Zock. Edge rusher from Mercer who was voted the FCS Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. To join the MAC-leading (37 total transfer players) and still having their best OL, in Stephen Gales. Their starting left tackle. Which should all set Coach Jacobs up to effortlessly transition his success from the FCS to his first year at Toledo.
Ohio Bobcats
John Hauser has found himself in a particular situation. The new HC for Ohio, formerly serving as the Defensive Coordinator from 24′-25′, has taken over the program with much excitement. Finishing the season as Head Coach and led the Bobcats to a program-record 7th straight Bowl game victory over UNLV in the Frisco Bowl last Dec.
After losing two key offensive starters, Sieh Bangura, RB, and Nick Poulous, QB, Coach Hauser wants to do nothing but continue the Bobcats’ success, which led him and his staff to target and sign 20 players from the transfer portal this offseason. Transfer RB Victor Rosa and the 5 O-linemen (the most of any position they signed) are looking to hit the ground running this season. Literally!
Central Michigan
Head Coach Matt Drinkall concluded his inaugural season one game above .500%, at (7-6). Winning over the hearts and minds of the players and fans in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He is now acclimated to the rigorous conference play and is ready for round two. Highly acclaimed for the tactics implemented and statistical feats achieved on offense during his time at Army West Point as an offensive assistant/coordinator from 19′-24′. He now looks ahead with 15 transfers in this new class. RB’s Jayden Clerveaux from Holy Cross and Vaughn Blue from Liberty will look to be workhorses for the offense to lean on. I will be looking forward to the competition taking place early this season for the no 1 RB.
Miami (OH)
Chuck Martin, Head Coach. Joining EMU HC Creighton in the year they joined the MAC (2014). Martin, during his time in Miami(OH), has, though, seen slightly more success than his fellow tenured peer. Having the most wins in program history(146) and has won two MAC Championships in ’19 and ’23. He is slated as one of the more accomplished coaches in the MAC and all college football.
Losing the team’s top offensive skill players to the portal is something that will most likely hurt QB Thomas Gotkowski’s efforts to get the ball spread out across the field. Young incoming transfer players like Devin Hyatt, R-So from the University of Arizona, and Damarion Witten, R-So from The Ohio State University. Will both likely be key developmental players this season. Both have huge upsides athletically and are very smart. To go along with the other 15 transfers (17) total in the class.
Western Michigan
The 2025 reigning MAC Champion Broncos. Western MI, again led by HC Lance Taylor, is now heading into his fourth season. Is looking to repeat some of the same mojo they had working for them last fall! Defeating Miami(OH) in the conference championship 23-13, followed by a 41-6 Bowl game victory over Kennesaw St., definitely has set the tone for this upcoming year and set the bar high as well. With their main high-powered duo returning to the offensive backfield – QB Broc Lowry and RB Jalen Buckley! The two combined for 25 TD’s together in the air and on the field in 25’. Defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary headed to the LA Chargers to work under Jim Harbaugh as his new DC. Things on the defensive side of the ball seem as if they may need some time to get going this fall. While the offense looks like it’ll be ready to go from snap one. Bringing in 21 transfers, most of whom (12) will play on the defensive side. Is just the challenge new DC (former LB) Coach Greer Martini, Coach Taylor, and the rest of the Bronco staff are looking forward to!
Let the MAC(tion) commence!
