Checking in on all 12 MAC teams at the midseason point, factoring in performance, expectations, and more.
We’re essentially halfway through the 2024 MAC football regular season. Every team has six data points, except Akron, which has already played seven games in seven weeks. 10 of the league’s 12 teams are two conference matchups into their season, while Akron and Ball State have each played three.
Since we’re at a perfect benchmarking point, it’s time to reflect and determine what grades each team deserves for its performance in the first half of the season.
Keep in mind that the grades aren’t necessarily a reflection of the MAC standings. Several factors are considered, with performance being the main driver, but preseason expectations and other variables enter the equation. For instance, a reigning MAC champion Miami (OH) team returning a horde of its top-end talent is graded on a different scale than an Eastern Michigan squad which lost plenty of production from 2023.
Anyway, as per tradition, let’s open up the report cards and post them on the refrigerator.
Akron Zips
Record: 1-6, 0-3 MAC
Midseason grade: D-
Akron is in the midst of the most brutal 6-year stretch of any FBS program and it can’t seem to finagle its way out. The Zips haven’t finished better than 2-10 since 2018 and their last winning season transpired in 2015. In order to qualify for bowl eligibility in year three of the Joe Moorhead era, Akron must win out and four of its five remaining opponents are 4-2. Last year the Zips appeared to be making strides with five one-score losses, but that same level of progress hasn’t been observed in 2024. Akron is 128th in scoring offense and 127th in scoring defense. Although the team moves the ball moderately well through the air, the run game remains a struggle to the tune of 2.6 yards per carry. The Zips are 0-3 in MAC play and they’ve consistently started strong, but the finishes leave more to be desired — squandering a 17-0 lead to Western Michigan before halftime last Saturday.
Ball State Cardinals
Record: 2-4, 1-2 MAC
Midseason grade: D+
Ball State has a pair of landslide defeats this year, dropping a contest 62-0 to Miami (FL) and 63-7 to James Madison. But the Cardinals haven’t looked as sour against their MAC peers, falling in back-and-forth matchups to Central Michigan and Western Michigan — holding fourth quarter leads in both matchups. Mike Neu’s team finally got on the board with a conference victory in Week 7 at Kent State, and one thing has been consistent throughout every MAC game — the offense is electrifying. Tight end Tanner Koziol is fourth in tight end receiving yards in a passing attack which looks strong under Kadin Semzona. But Ball State allows 46 points and 504 yards per game, ranking second-to-last in the FBS in both categories with only Kent State trailing. The offense has the ability to go toe-to-toe with anybody in the conference, but the defense needs to prove it can generate stops to spur victories.
Bowling Green Falcons
Record: 2-4, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: C+
If you watched two Bowling Green games this year — its matchups in 100,000+ seat stadiums at Penn State and Texas A&M — you might think this team has AP Top 25 potential. The Falcons pushed the Nittany Lions and Aggies down to the wire, falling 34-27 and 26-20, respectively in matchups against current AP Top 15 opponents. But Bowling Green isn’t attacking its non-marquee matchups in similar fashion. The Falcons dropped a non-conference game to Old Dominion, couldn’t get the offensive flowing against Northern Illinois, and needed a late touchdown to skate by 1-6 Akron. At 1-1 in conference play, there’s still time for a midseason turnaround because this team has enough talent to be a MAC contender. And one of the talents that will lead the way is Harold Fannin Jr., who deserves an A+ for his first half campaign. He ranks sixth in the FBS in receiving yards and first among tight ends, piecing together four-straight 130+ yard performances.
Buffalo Bulls
Record: 4-2, 2-0 MAC
Midseason grade: A
Imagine telling a Buffalo fan that within the first six games of the Pete Lembo era, the Bulls would (1) be above .500, (2) crush Toledo, and (3) earn their second ranked win in program history. Buffalo checked all three of those boxes already, and the Bulls are unblemished in conference play with two of the tougher opponents in the MAC already behind them. Yes, Buffalo’s losses didn’t unfold in the most inspiring fashion, falling 38-0 at Missouri and 47-3 at UConn. But the wins, they’ve been glorious. Buffalo already exceeded its win total from 2023. The Bulls play smart football and don’t turn the ball over much, and the linebacking corps led by potential All-American Shaun Dolac (FBS leader in tackles) and Red Murdock is beyond dominant on a week-to-week basis. As the locals do in Buffalo, this run of success calls for a celebration involving a folding table.
Central Michigan Chippewas
Record: 3-3, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: B
Central Michigan looks firmly in the middle of the MAC at the midway point after a .500 start. The Chippewas launched the season in explosive fashion, dropping 66 on an FCS opponent for their highest point total since 1975. But Week 2 unfolded in disastrous fashion at Pitbull Stadium, getting blown out 52-16 in a head-scratcher to FIU, fueled by losing 6-0 in the turnover battle. Jim McElwain’s team since rebounded with a pair of thrilling, last-minute wins — upending Ball State in an offensive clinic and San Diego State in a defensive slugfest. However, they couldn’t finish the 3-game homestand unblemished after a 27-25 loss to Ohio. The run game is strong, with the three leading backs all picking up more than 5.0 yards per carry. But adversity struck at the quarterback position, and the team must operate without starter Joe Labas for the remainder of the season, turning to Tyler Jefferson and Bert Emanuel Jr. to lead the way.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Record: 4-2, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: A-
The days of doormat Eastern Michigan seem long ago. Chris Creighton created a new standard for the program and he consistently lives up to it. It’s not like Eastern Michigan returned a heap of talent from last year’s 6-7 squad — the Eagles lost everyone who threw a pass, everyone who rushed for at least 50 yards, three of their top four receivers, their only two defenders who totaled 60 tackles, and their sack and interception leaders. Yet, Eastern Michigan rapidly churned out four wins with an impressive non-conference overtime triumph over Jacksonville State. Buffalo transfer Cole Snyder has been an efficient answer at quarterback, while the defensive line is dominating the line of scrimmage with 2.7 sacks and 6.7 tackles for loss per game. Still, the team has ground to make up to qualify for its first-ever MAC Championship, especially after a 38-14 loss to Miami (OH).
Kent State Golden Flashes
Record: 0-6, 0-2 MAC
Midseason grade: D-
Kent State could very well warrant an F grade as one of three winless FBS teams remaining. It’s not the 71-0 loss at Tennessee — which featured a 65-0 halftime deficit — that is the Golden Flashes’ most concerning data point. It’s not the 56-0 loss at Penn State in the week that followed. It’s the Week 2 loss to FCS squad St. Francis (PA) (currently 2-4 on the season) where Kent State trailed 17-0 at one point. Kent State has now dropped an FBS-high 15 consecutive matchups and still awaits its first FBS win under second-year head coach Kenni Burns. In order to get off the schneid, defensive improvement is necessary. Kent State is dead last in points allowed per game (49), rushing yards allowed per game (273), and total yards allowed per game (554). The Golden Flashes allowed 52+ points four times and let Tennessee and Penn State set program yardage records. Yet, they stave off the F ranking due to two extraordinary offensive showings in MAC play led by explosive wide receiver Chrishon McCray. That unit provides hope.
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Record: 2-4, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: C
The reigning MAC champions brought back a sixth-year starting quarterback in Brett Gabbert, 80 percent of a starting offensive line, the MAC Defensive Player of the Year, several talented pass rushers, and a few vital pieces to the secondary. There was a lot to like about the RedHawks preseason, fresh off an 11-3 campaign driven by stellar defensive play. However, repeating is hard in the MAC and it hasn’t been done in over a decade. Miami is falling victim to the reigning champion curse, off to a paltry 2-4 start to exceed its loss total from 2023. Part of its record is due to a difficult schedule. Miami didn’t get an FCS tune-up game and faced Northwestern, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame right off the bat before opening conference play with Toledo. The defense never allowed 30 to those teams and played well in those games, but the offense struggled immensely and is currently 123rd in scoring. But signs of a turnaround are evident as Miami is fresh off its most complete game, a 38-14 drudging of Eastern Michigan on the road.
Northern Illinois Huskies
Record: 4-2, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: A
Yes, Northern Illinois automatically receives an A grade at minimum for what it did in Week 2. The Huskies pulled off a historic upset, knocking off then-No. 5 Notre Dame, 16-14, for their first top five win in history. Notre Dame has been on a tear otherwise, making NIU’s stunner in South Bend look even more impressive as time progresses. The Huskies earned their first ranking since 2013 and are the lone MAC representative in the AP Poll this year. It was short-lived as NIU dropped two-straight afterward, but still, it felt like like Huskies outplayed Buffalo and NC State in the close losses with costly turnovers swinging both results. NIU recovered to take down fellow MAC contender Bowling Green as the defensive provided a 17-7 suffocation. This team will go far as the defense allows, as the unit is fifth in fewest yards allowed per game — owning a top 20 pass defense and run defense.
Ohio Bobcats
Record: 4-2, 2-0 MAC
Midseason grade: B+
Did you know since 2009, Ohio only has one losing season? Despite a long MAC title drought, the Bobcats are consistently in the mix. Coaching this year’s team is Tim Albin’s hardest task yet since taking over in 2021, considering the sheer amount of talent Ohio lost to graduation and the portal, including stat Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke. But Ohio is 4-2 and it can’t gripe about a pair of non-conference losses to decent Syracuse and Kentucky teams. The Bobcats aren’t the same top 10 defense as they were last year, but the revamped unit is one of the better ones in the MAC, led by defensive end Bradley Weaver and his four sacks. Offensively, Ohio is a running machine with MAC leading rusher Anthony Tyus III taking over the backfield alongside mobile quarterback Parker Navarro who produced 176 rushing yards last game at Central Michigan. Is it enough for a first MAC championship since 1968? Time will tell, especially with Miami (OH) and Buffalo looming on the schedule.
Toledo Rockets
Record: 4-2, 1-1 MAC
Midseason grade: B-
In Week 3, Toledo dominated in SEC country like no MAC team has since 1971. The Rockets produced the second-largest margin of victory over an SEC opponent by throttling Mississippi State 41-17 for a signature non-conference victory. It also landed a revenge win over Miami (OH) in definitive fashion, making a statement after the 2023 MAC Championship Game shortcoming. When Toledo’s at its best, things look amazing. But consistency is an issue. The Rockets dropped a road game 26-21 at WKU in Week 4, but the most concerning loss was the Week 7 result at Buffalo. Toledo’s offense sleepwalked through the first half in a 30-15 finish, and the Rockets desire more firepower on that side of the ball. The offseason losses of running back Peny Boone and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell show in the run game and secondary struggles, but Toledo still has its strong points. The Rockets feature a dominant linebacking corps and stellar receivers, which could be enough to catapult them to a third-straight MAC title game appearance.
Western Michigan Broncos
Record: 3-3, 2-0 MAC
Midseason grade: B+
Western Michigan is coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the Bill Cubit to P.J. Fleck transition in the early 2010s. The Broncos look like they’re turning the corner under second-year head coach Lance Taylor, although that result wasn’t evident in a 56-0 beatdown at Ohio State. All of the other data points featured some level of promise, however, as the Broncos stormed into Wisconsin and nearly shocked the Badgers in Week 1 — holding a fourth quarter lead before unraveling on a special teams miscue. Western Michigan is 2-0 in MAC play and getting stellar performances from the offense on a weekly basis. Hayden Wolff remains ultra-efficient at quarterback with a 69.4 completion rate, while Jaden Nixon averages over six yards per carry as the MAC’s second-leading rusher. The schedule ramps up in difficulty soon, but this offense is easily one of the more explosive in the conference.