The Mid-American Conference is one of the most distinctive conferences in the wide landscape of college football. The MAC is still very regional, housing schools mostly in the Midwest, and every year anyone can beat anyone at any time in any week.
This season, that has never been truer as it seems a big upset is occurring every week. With a four-way tie in the standings for first place and just a few more key games to decide the MAC title game, here are The Post's current power rankings of the MAC.
1. Miami
Best Win: Ohio
Worst Loss: Toledo
The preseason conference favorite Redhawks did not start the season out too hot, going 1-4 over the teams’ first five games, although its first three games were against Power 4 opponents. Miami has been on fire since the start of the season, winning four in a row since losing to Toledo. That win streak should stretch to five in a row after Miami plays Kent State Thursday.
2. Ohio
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Miami
The Bobcats have only lost one conference game, with the other two losses coming on the road against the Power 4 teams Syracuse and Kentucky. The conference loss was a rough one against rival Miami, but since losing Ohio has won two in a row, scoring over 40 points in both wins. If Ohio can win out against Eastern Michigan, Toledo and Ball State, Ohio will have a good chance to play in their first MAC title game since 2022.
3. Bowling Green
Best Win: Toledo
Worst Loss: Northern Illinois
Bowling Green is another team that faced tough early competition against ranked opponents in Texas A&M and Penn State, resulting in close losses. The team has won three in a row since losing a tough game to Northern Illinois where it only scored 7 points. The Falcons will look to make it four in a row in a massive game against Western Michigan up next.
4. Western Michigan
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Northern Illinois
The Broncos are the fourth and final team that make up the four teams in a tie for first place in the MAC with a 4-1 conference record. Through the season, Western Michigan has avoided all of Miami, Ohio and Toledo in their schedule this year, which is why it ranks fourth of the group tied for first. Its toughest game of the year is this week against Bowling Green, which will have huge implications on the MAC and will be a good test to see how legit Western Michigan is.
5. Toledo
Best Win: Miami
Worst Loss: Bowling Green
Toledo has not met expectations this season, with a less-than-impressive 3-2 conference record. However, the Rockets aren’t entirely out of it yet, with some big games down the stretch, including one against Ohio. Toledo’s early losses against Buffalo and Bowling Green have proven costly down the stretch; however, Toledo still remains the only team to have successfully taken down Miami this season.
6. Buffalo
Best Win: Toledo
Worst Loss: Ohio
Buffalo has been one of the most unpredictable teams this season. At times, such as its 47-16 loss to Ohio, Buffalo looks like one of the conference's worst teams. Inversely, such as their 30-15 win against Toledo, the Bulls have stayed in contention among the front-runners in the conference.
