2026 NCAAF: Mid-American Conference Preview

Last year we lamented the end of the continuity in the MAC’s membership but didn’t expect that we would be talking about expansion so quickly.

In a move that surprised even some within the program, Sacramento State has fast-tracked its leap to the FBS division by joining a division which previous to the decision contained programs exclusively located within the Eastern time zone. It seems that in today’s era of college football, even our beloved Mid-American Conference is not above the almighty dollar (or around $18 million of them).

So, to address the elephant in the room: how does this help the MAC? The truth is, it’s hard to tell at this point. Sacramento State’s relative location compared to the rest of the schools in the conference makes it hard to imagine it being an easy transition, and while it only takes effect for football, will have some impact on how schools in the league budget for their other, non-revenue sports.

Impact to the conference’s place in the hierarchy of G6 leagues doesn’t seem to be immediately affected, either. While the MAC has historically been incredibly wide open (currently on a streak of crowning six different champions in the past six years), the Hornets are ineligible to compete for a title this season and even if they were, wouldn’t be considered a legitimate threat at the moment.

This is all to say – the MAC is still unpredictable, but likely no stronger than in 2025.

Teams I Like

Miami (OH)

The Cradle of Coaches has a great one in Chuck Martin, who in his 13th year with the program (joint-longest tenured in the MAC) has become the school’s all-time wins leader and has guided the RedHawks to three straight conference title games, winning one of them. Under Martin the program has gone out and challenged itself in the non-conference slate, accepting the lumps early in exchange for prepping the team for the league schedule. The approach has paid off handsomely, with Miami going 20-4 in conference games over the past three seasons.

The RedHawks rely on a strong run game, dominate offensive line and stifling defense to remain competitive in the MAC. This is evident in the fact that the team was able to have success last season even after the departure of its original starting quarterback midway through the year. Martin’s group exhibits all three traits coming into this season and thus is well positioned to make a run at a fourth straight title game appearance. The conference schedule heats up when the weather in the area cools off, with midweek MACtion contests against Ohio and at both Kent State and Western Michigan to end the regular season. Because Coach Martin’s team already brings in some experience in the right places, I look for the RedHawks to have built up a little bit of wiggle room by that time and still be able to make it back to Detroit even if things don’t go their way in those games.

Ohio

It has been a strange past couple of years at Ohio, with the program experiencing unexpected turnover at the head coaching position each season despite the Bobcats winning at least 9 games in each of the past four years. Taking over full-time in 2026 is John Hauser, who led the team to its bowl victory over UNLV last season and who previously served as defensive coordinator and also spent time at Miami with Chuck Martin’s staff. Notably, no players opted out of that bowl game and it appears Hauser has what it takes to maintain what has generally been a strong culture within the program since the Frank Solich era.

The Bobcats will have a difficult time replacing their do-everything quarterback Parker Navarro, but should still be able to move the ball on the ground if things come together with a rebuilt offensive line. Ohio will remain competitive thanks to its defense, which is always one of the better units in the MAC. What has me optimistic about the Bobcats this season is the conference schedule, which avoids Western Michigan entirely and sees all of the presumed league contenders travel to Athens with the exception of the rivalry game against Miami. Ohio will operate under the radar for the majority of the season, but don’t be shocked to see them with a chance to make it to Detroit come November.

Eastern Michigan

Believe it or not, the Eagles should have one of the MAC’s most potent offensive attacks in 2026, particularly through the air. Eastern Michigan trailed only Toledo averaging 234.8 yards per game passing last season and returns quarterback Noah Kim, three of their top four receiving leaders and an offensive line that includes a few P4 transfers to fill gaps. The problem was, that unit didn’t have possession of the ball as much as it would’ve liked. This season the offense should actually get some help from the defensive side, providing more opportunities to Kim & Co.

Eastern Michigan had the MAC’s worst run defense last season, and not surprisingly the team struggled mightily against opponents that could run the ball and control the clock. This year the Eagles return a ton of experience to the front seven of the defense and in general the team is one of the most experienced in FBS. Chris Creighton’s squad once again plays a number of games against teams that will be expected to test the Eagles up front (Wisconsin / Central Michigan / Ohio / Western Michigan) but this year they should be far better equipped to handle that.

Not High On

Sacramento State

Two programs will make the jump from FCS to the premier division of college football in 2026, but only one program’s coach was aware of this prior to signing day and the closure of the transfer portal. New Hornets head coach Alonzo Carter was not that coach. Now Carter will be tasked with navigating a new team, a new conference, a new subdivision, all while managing a roster that was initially built to compete as part of the Big Sky Conference for one more season.

It could be a rough first year for Carter & Co., which does get an opportunity to prove which FBS newbie is best when the Hornets take on North Dakota State in mid-September. Sacramento State will be dealing with one of the most intense travel schedules in the country to play MAC competition, which only complicates the already difficult situation. On top of everything already mentioned, Sacramento State was only 7-5 in FCS last season, finishing fourth in the Big Sky and missing the playoffs entirely. In comparison, North Dakota State has been an FCS juggernaut and has been preparing for its step up for years.

Players To Watch

Broc Lowry, Western Michigan quarterback

The reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year had a terrific season in 2025, guiding the Broncos to a conference title and 10-win season. Lowry was a do-everything guy for Western Michigan last season, narrowly missing out on joining an elite group of quarterbacks that had at least 1,000 yards rushing and passing (Blake Horvath, Byrum Brown, Caden Creel and Colton Jospeph being the only four to achieve that in 2025).

This year Lowry should have an excellent opportunity to run it back in terms of team success and also to join that elusive 1,000/1,000 club. Playing behind one of the MAC’s offensive lines and having a running mate in the backfield in Jalen Buckley will keep some of the focus elsewhere, which should translate to providing Lowry ample opportunity to tuck it and head upfield again this season. He has also reportedly improved on his passing in the offseason, which should make teams think twice before stacking the box relentlessly to stop the Broncos.

Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan running back

Buckley was not initially the No. 1 option for the Broncos at running back last season, but came on late in a big way to lead the team in rushing and was instrumental in the team’s MAC title and bowl game victory. Eight of Buckley’s nine touchdowns as well as more than 70 percent of his total rushing yards were amassed after the month of October.

In 2026, expect Buckley to get started more quickly as the Western Michigan offensive style is rooted in being able to get downhill via the run and use a physical front to establish an advantage in the trenches. At 5’11”, 210 pounds, Buckley is a load to bring down and keeps his feet moving in traffic, exhibiting the ability to break into the second level of the defense after being hit with enough explosiveness to rip off big gains.

Duncan Brune, Ohio running back

Brune is not your average MAC football player. Hailing from Cologne, Germany, the junior is also a track athlete with sub-11 second 100-meter dash times. He trains with the German national bobsled team in the offseason and his mother was an Olympic swimmer for Germany. Known as much within the team for his work ethic as for his speed, Brune fits the culture in Athens perfectly.

Ohio has boasted the MAC’s top rushing offense each of the last two seasons, thanks in large part to the combination of quarterback Parker Navarro and Sieh Bangura. Both Navarro and Bangura are gone this season, but Brune was featured often in the Bobcats attack last season and has the ability to be the next great workhorse for the program this season. If Ohio is to have any shot at maintaining their spot at the top of that offensive category, Brune will need to emerge as a star.

Noah Kim, Eastern Michigan quarterback

Last year’s passing leader in the MAC is an elder statesman at this point, having spent the previous season with Eastern Michigan and saw some playing time at Coastal Carolina and Michigan State prior to that. The 2026 season is officially his seventh year of eligibility at the collegiate level. Kim represents stability for the Eagles that they haven’t experienced for a long time, with an opportunity to lead the team in passing in back-to-back seasons, something that hasn’t been done at the program for almost a decade.

His experience has translated to a maturity in the pocket to make smart decisions, and Eastern Michigan proved this with numbers by allowing the fewest sacks in the conference last season. With plenty of experience around him, Kim should again be one of the passing leaders in the conference and should have an excellent opportunity to improve his TD-to-INT ratio throwing to a veteran crop of wide receivers.

Dru DeShields, Kent State quarterback

It took some time for DeShields’s career to get off the ground at Kent State due to knee injuries in each of his first two seasons, but last year showed why there was always high expectations for him at the program. The redshirt junior is smart in the pocket and doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, producing the best TD-to-INT ratio in the conference last season (18-3) amongst quarterbacks. His exceptional speed allows him to escape pressure to keep plays alive, and often times affords him to find players downfield after the initial coverage has broken down.

I don’t expect that the Golden Flashes will let him go entirely loose due to his injury history, but the threat of his legs is still enough to freeze the defense long enough to find an opening. With an entire season of starts, expect DeShields to improve his numbers and contend for all-conference honors even if Kent State as a team doesn’t have the type of season it would like.

Games to Watch (Conference)

Toledo at Eastern Michigan (October 17)

The conference schedule ramps up significantly for the Rockets at this juncture, which have to face Western Michigan the next weekend. The Eagles may be reorienting themselves with Ypsilanti as well, having last faced an FBS opponent at home on September 4.

Miami (OH) at Central Michigan (October 24)

The RedHawks’ defense will be put to the test against what should be a potent Central Michigan ground attack led by dual threat option Angel Flores at quarterback. This is Miami’s second most difficult road test of the season and a victory would be huge towards their efforts to get back to the MAC title game.

Western Michigan at Toledo (October 24)

It is difficult to predict how Toledo’s offense will fare this season with so many changes (both on-the-field and sideline personnel), but will figure to need some juice to intimidate a Western Michigan defense that, while replacing some key figures, will have already faced the likes of Michigan and Boise State earlier in the year.

Ohio at Akron (November 3)

On paper this should be the best Akron squad in years, with a bunch of returning production from an offense that finished in the top half of the MAC for the first time in five years in 2025. The schedule is brutal, though, with the Zips having to play almost all of the conference title contenders. Winning some of these tough draws will be easier at home than on the road.

Ohio at Miami (OH) (November 10)

The Battle of the Bricks will be can’t miss action on a Tuesday evening. As the MAC’s most-played matchup, it has been generally dominated by the Bobcats over the past 20 years despite the RedHawks owning an all-time series lead by eight games.

Miami (OH) at Western Michigan (November 24)

A rematch of the 2025 conference title game serves as the season finale for the two programs, which should be battling for a spot in Detroit once again. Could this set up to feature a rare back-to-back scheduling scenario, with the MAC Championship set to be played one week later?

Games to Watch (Non-Conference)

Western Michigan at Michigan (September 5)

Kyle Whittingham’s inaugural game at the Big House shouldn’t be too difficult given the head coach’s specialty in developing defensive lines, but since 2007 the Wolverines have never been excused from a conversation around major underdogs that could surprise in Ann Arbor.

Miami (OH) vs. Cincinnati [game in Cincinnati] (September 19)

The Battle for the Victory Bell is an incredibly hotly contested series all-time, with the Bearcats holding the narrowest of leads (61-60-7). It should make Cincinnatians happy to know that this rivalry game is being held downtown simultaneously along with the city’s Oktoberfest.

Boise State at Western Michigan (September 26)

It’s Broncos on Broncos crime in Kalamazoo to end the non-conference schedule for both of these programs. Boise State has been one of the most successful G6 programs in the country for some time, but is just 1-3 away from home in out-of-conference games the past couple of years.

Aw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)

*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!

Ohio Reaches MAC Championship Game (+290)

The Bobcats have been one of the most consistent programs in a conference where consistency is a rare thing. Over the past four seasons, Ohio has failed to win fewer than nine games, and even with a new quarterback the Bobcats should be capable of competing in one of the most difficult leagues to predict.

Eastern Michigan Over 6.5 Wins (+140)

The fact that Chris Creighton has had just four winning seasons in his 13 with the program and is 61-83 overall there proves just how difficult a job it is to be successful in Ypsilanti. Finally, the Eagles have a manageable schedule and some experience on both sides of the ball, and Coach Creighton will reward the fans for their patience.

Sacramento State Under 3.5 Wins (+130)

The Hornets seemed to have rushed the transition to FBS and may end up paying for that for at least a season. There are opportunities for victories, including an FCS opponent and a “battle for the bottom” contest against Massachusetts at home, but outside of those games Sacramento State will likely be underdogs in every other game this year.

Predictions

1. Miami (OH) (9-3, [7-1])
2. Ohio (8-4, [6-2])
3. Toledo (9-3, [6-2])
4. Western Michigan (8-4, [6-2])
5. Central Michigan (7-5, [5-3])
6. Bowling Green (6-6, [5-3])
7. Akron (6-6, [5-3])
8. Eastern Michigan (6-6, [4-4])
9. Ball State (4-8, [3-5])
10. Buffalo (4-8, [2-6])
11. Kent State (3-9, [2-7])
12. Sacramento State (2-10, [1-7])
13. Massachusetts (2-10, [0-8])

Conference Title Game

Ohio vs. Miami (OH) (game in Detroit)

Champion: Miami (OH)