MAC Football 2026 Predictions

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MAC Football 2026 Predictions

Steven Lassan

Thu, Jun 4, 2026 ·

7 min read

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Another tight battle atop the MAC is expected in the 2026 college football season. Four teams finished with two or fewer losses in league play last year, leading to a battle that went down to the wire on which programs earned a trip to Detroit to play for the conference title. A similar path could unfold this fall, as Miami (Ohio), Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Toledo are clustered together at the top, with Ohio and Buffalo headlining the second tier.

There's intrigue elsewhere in the MAC. Can Kent State exceed expectations once again after a surprising 5-7 season in '25? Bowling Green aims to take a step forward in coach Eddie George's second year, while Eastern Michigan and Akron should push for bowl eligibility. FBS newcomer Sacramento State also joins the mix, with UMass and Ball State aiming to show improvement in the second season under current head coaches.

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How does Athlon Sports project the MAC for 2026? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 13 teams in the MAC for this fall:

A bowl game is too big of a jump to expect, but the Minutemen are poised to take a step forward in coach Joe Harasymiak's second year. A standout transfer class that includes quarterback Pop Watson III (Virginia Tech) adds needed talent and depth to the roster. The return of receiver T.Y. Harding from injury, along with the arrival of transfer Joseph Griffin Jr. (Boston College), and emergence of tight end Max Dowling, provides Watson with a couple of talented weapons in the passing game. The offensive line is arguably the biggest concern for new coordinator Max Warner. After giving up 38.6 points a game, UMass needs to make considerable strides on this side of the ball to escape the cellar. The return of end Joshua Nobles from injury provides a boost to the trenches, while the linebacker duo of Tyler Martin and Timmy Hinspeter ranks among the best in the MAC.

It's a new era for Sacramento State, as the program jumps to the FBS level in an interesting arrangement with the MAC. The Hornets are clearly a geographic outlier, but a chance to play at the FBS level is worth the extra travel. In addition to the transition to the MAC, the program has a new coach (Alonzo Carter) and returns only three starters from last year's team that went 7-5. However, Carter has talent to work with, including quarterback Carson Conklin, who starred at Sacramento State in 2024 before a one-year stop at Fresno State last year. Running back Jamar Curtis and receiver Matthew Coleman (San Jose State transfer) provide Conklin with help at the skill spots. The line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball is a major concern for Carter, while the defense is also facing a significant rebuild in the secondary.

The Cardinals aim for a step forward in coach Mike Uremovich's second season after a 4-8 mark last fall. Jumpstarting an offense that averaged only 15.8 points a contest last year is Uremovich's top priority, with two transfers in Tyler Mizzell (Concord) and Keldric Luster (Texas State) competing to start under center. The strength of this unit should be a line returning three starters, and receiver Donovan Hamilton is primed for a breakout year. Just one starter is back from a defense that allowed six yards a play in '25. Uremovich sought help from the portal, and help is coming in the form of edge Jared Badie (San Diego State), linebacker Cincear Lewis (Cincinnati), and safety Sterling Smith (Purdue).

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Things seemed bleak at Kent State prior to the 2025 season. After all, the program went 0-12 the previous year, had a late coaching change from Kenni Burns to interim Mark Carney, and experienced roster turnover due to the post-spring portal. However, that tumultuous period, along with Carney's leadership, led the Golden Flashes to a surprising 5-7 mark. That performance was enough for Carney to land the full-time job. Exceeding last year's win total won't be easy in '26, however. An offense that was dependent on big plays (23 gains of 30-plus yards) returns quarterback Dru DeShields but must replace key receivers Cade Wolford and Da'Shawn Martin and restock the backfield. Just three starters are back on a defense that allowed 26.8 points in MAC games and struggled to stop the run (191.4 yards a game allowed). The return of linebacker Rocco Nicholl after a season at South Florida should help the second level, but coordinator Cherokee Valeria has key voids to fill at cornerback.

Considering how challenging of a job Akron is, along with a bowl ban due to a low APR score, last year's 5-7 record under Joe Moorhead was one of the MAC's better coaching jobs. A tough schedule won't make things any easier in '26, but the Zips have enough offensive firepower to push for six victories. Former Albany/Miami/North Texas signal-caller Reese Poffenbarger could be one of the MAC's top quarterbacks, with running back Jordan Gant (1,032 yards) and receiver Marcel Williams (45 catches) among the conference's top skill talent. How a defense returning just two starters reloads is likely to decide whether or not Moorhead's team can match the offensive firepower with enough defense to push for a bowl. Cyrus Durham and Ronald Hull are back to anchor the line, while a healthy year from safety Daymond David could ease the rebuilding effort on the back end.

After earning three straight bowl appearances (2021-23), the Eagles have missed out on the postseason in back-to-back years. However, that streak could be short-lived. Coach Chris Creighton's team is among the MAC's most-experienced squads and faces four of the lower-ranked teams in conference play. Quarterback Noah Kim is back as one of the MAC's top signal-callers, with receiver Nick Devereaux (34 catches) and tight end Joshua Long (37) poised to push for preseason all-conference honors. A line that returns two starters needs a little retooling, but the run game should be in good shape with Coastal Carolina/Virginia Tech transfer Braydon Bennett poised to lead the backfield. After ranking No. 105 nationally in success rate, Creighton changed play-callers on defense, as Tate Omli and Kasey Teegardin will handle the coordinator role. This unit has to get tougher against the run after giving up 232.1 yards a game last season. The return of linebacker Zach Mowchan from injury should help, while safety Bryce Llewellyn is among the MAC's top defenders.

After a late coaching change last spring, the Falcons enter 2026 in a better situation with Eddie George entering year two and having a full offseason to build this program. George's team returns only three starters, but optimism should be high for a push into bowl contention. Oregon transfer quarterback Austin Novosad is one of the MAC's top newcomers, and running back Austyn Dendy (493 yards in 2025) is poised for a breakout year after an injury-shortened season. A revamped offensive line and receiving corps headline the top offseason concerns. New faces also need to emerge to solidify the defense under new coordinator Joe Bowden. However, Eriq George and Myles Bradley return to form a solid foundation up front, while linebacker Dorian Pringle is back after missing most of '25 due to injury. Four winnable home games - UMass, Kent State, Sacramento State and Ball State - should give George's team a chance to hit six wins this fall.

The Bulls opened 2025 as one of the frontrunners to win the MAC but finished with a disappointing 5-7 record. Turnovers (22 lost) played a major role in last year's mark, especially with four defeats by one score. If Buffalo is to return to the postseason, both sides of the ball have major question marks to address. The offense returns only two starters, as a revamped offensive line and first-time starter at quarterback in Jason Wright headline the list of concerns. Receiver Jasaiah Gathings and running back Terrence Shelton at least provide a solid starting foundation for new coordinator Tony Tokarz. The outlook is better on defense. The Bulls bring back four starters, including defensive backs Saveon Brown, Keontez Bradley, and Kobi Blackwell. The secondary should be the strength of this unit, giving time for new faces to emerge on the defensive front. Standout linebacker Red Murdock will be missed on the second level.

Even though the Bobcats are on their third coach in three years and must navigate a rebuilt roster, it's hard to doubt this program too much considering its recent track record of success. New coach (and former defensive coordinator) John Hauser hopes to keep the momentum going after a strong showing in a Frisco Bowl victory over UNLV. Settling the quarterback battle between New Hampshire transfer Matt Vezza and Nick Poulos, along with finding the right mix on a revamped offensive line, are the top fall priorities for play-caller Scott Isphording. Assuming the line settles, the one-two punch of Duncan Brune and Victor Rosa should provide plenty of production on the ground. Hauser and coordinator Kurt Mattix return five starters on defense, and this unit should lead the way until the offense finds its footing. Safety DJ Walker is among the MAC's top returning defenders, and linebacker Charlie Christopher (63 tackles) is back after a standout freshman campaign.

Toledo made one of the top hires in the coaching carousel by landing Mike Jacobs from Mercer. The former Ohio State offensive lineman compiled an impressive 94-23 record at three different coaching stops, including a 20-6 mark at Mercer over the last two seasons. Jacobs' ability to put together a winner will be tested right away. The Rockets bring back just three starters and are counting on several newcomers to quickly restock both sides of the ball. A pair of Mercer transfers in running back CJ Miller and defensive lineman Andrew Zock are among the MAC's top incoming transfers and fill key voids on both sides of the ball. John Alan Richter is the frontrunner to start at quarterback, and his previous experience with the Rockets (nine career appearances) gives Jacobs a potential breakout option. A trio of transfer receivers - Anthony Simpson (Michigan), Adjatay Dabbs (Mercer), and Kalvin Gilbert (SEMO) - provides Richter with plenty of talent on the outside. Zock headlines a Toledo defense essentially starting from scratch with zero returning starters. This unit allowed only 3.82 yards a play in MAC contests last year, so the new starting group has big shoes to fill.

Matt Drinkall maximized the roster talent in his debut last fall to guide Central Michigan to a 7-6 record. The Chippewas have a favorable path to MAC title contention, especially with frontrunners Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio) coming to Mount Pleasant this fall. But for Drinkall's team to take the next step from bowl contention to conference champion, growth from the passing game is needed. That could come in the form of a healthy year out of Jadyn Glasser after he missed the bulk of '25. Angel Flores will share the quarterback duties with Glasser, as the senior helped to lead a solid ground attack (527 yards) last year. Three starters are back to anchor one of the MAC's top offensive lines, and Liberty transfer Vaughn Blue should team with Brock Townsend to form an effective one-two punch at running back. Three starters return from a defense that limited teams to 23.5 points a game last fall. A revamped linebacker unit tops the list of fall priorities for coordinator Sean Cronin, but Korver Demma and Quavion Bird are back to anchor the trenches, and cornerback Jaion Jackson returns to anchor a promising secondary.

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The Broncos have arguably the MAC's top returning collection of talent with 10 returning starters, including quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley. However, the reigning MAC champs will be working against history. No team from the MAC has won back-to-back conference titles since Northern Illinois accomplished that feat in 2011-12. In addition to the standout backfield of Lowry and Buckley, WMU returns one of the MAC's top offensive lines with three starters back. The defense is coach Lance Taylor's biggest concern with just three starters returning from a unit that limited teams to 17.4 points a contest last year. Standout end Nadame Tucker (21 TFL) will be missed off the edge. However, Taylor landed a couple of intriguing transfers to bolster this unit, including FCS standout Scoop Gardner Jr. (14.5 TFL last year) and Ahmed Tounkara (Ohio State). Cornerback Joshua Franklin leads a secondary that should be the strength of the '26 defense.

The RedHawks have plenty of question marks to address in 2026, but coach Chuck Martin's team is 20-4 in MAC play over the last three years. The guess here is Martin will again push the right buttons and guide Miami back to an appearance in the MAC title game for the fourth year in a row. And if Martin's team is to reach Detroit once again, it's likely due to the strength of the defense. Although three starters return, this unit added help in the portal with linebackers Blayne Myrick (South Alabama) and CJ Young (Kent State), while Bai Jobe, Roosevelt Andrews III, and Grant Lyons form a strong foundation in the trenches. Mychal Yharbrough is an emerging star on the back end. Former Miami quarterback Gus Ragland takes over the play-calling duties for a unit that averaged only 23.5 points in MAC play last season. However, Martin hopes this group is poised for a step forward. Sophomore Thomas Gotkowski and transfers David McComb (Kansas) and Caleb Heavner (Fort Hays State) are battling for the starting quarterback job. The winner of this competition can work behind an offensive line that could be the best in the MAC, along with an intriguing one-two punch at running back behind transfers Rodney Nelson (Monmouth) and Cade Yacamelli (Wisconsin). A Nov. 24 matchup at Western Michigan could be an early preview of the MAC title game.

Miami (Ohio) over Western Michigan

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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