The Hustle Belt staff predicts conference champions, breakout teams, star players, and more!
College football is finally here, and we’ve got MACtion on our mind. In our annual roundtable, the Hustle Belt staff predicts all things about the 2024 MAC football season including breakout teams, breakout players, coaches on the hot seat, MVPs of the conference, non-conference upsets, and of course, the MAC Championship Game matchup in Detroit.
How accurate are our predictions? Here’s how we did last year. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 2024 MAC football season:
Who will be the breakout team in the MAC for the 2024 season? On the contrary, which bowl eligible team from 2023 takes a tumble?
James Jimenez: The team I am most intrigued by in terms of breaking out is Bowling Green. They showed notable improvements last season, mostly on defense, and return a decent amount of what made last year’s near-miracle division run work. Having their top-end talent depart will hurt, but you can see the culture that’s being established and I believe in that kinda thing. In terms of a tumble, I don’t really have a lot of hope for Eastern Michigan. A lot of teams in their range have gotten better, while EMU 1) lost a lot of top-end talent and 2) didn’t really make a lot of notable changes that would outwardly improve the team. They probably have faith in what they have on-roster will develop, but last year was a shocker performance that has shaken how I feel about the program, They’re gonna need to prove they’re fine on the field.
Steve Helwick: I don’t think Western Michigan is going to stay down too long. The Broncos will even fly under the radar this year because they start with an unkind non-conference pairing of back-to-back road trips at Wisconsin and Ohio State. But once MAC play starts they can be a force. The offense established a gear last year upon deciding Hayden Wolff was the starting quarterback and Jalen Buckley could easily lead this conference in rushing after a 1,000-yard MAC Freshman of the Year campaign. Defense is still a slight concern but the Broncos field one of the most complete offenses in the league — enough to get them back to a bowl. Conversely, Eastern Michigan stumbles out of bowl eligibility. The Eagles qualified in 2023 without beating a single team better than 4-8, and the roster was gutted of so many top contributors including Samson Evans, Tanner Knue, Joe Sparacio, and Chase Kline.
Sam Kasuga: My breakout team is Western Michigan. Jalen Buckley can easily go for 1,000 yards again this year, and be the driving force for Western Michigan to get back in a bowl game for the first time since 2021. On the flip, Eastern Michigan will not be bowl eligible this year. With how much they’ve lost, and what they’ve brought in, I’m not confident in what they can bring to the table. The regular season schedule could produce a 6-6 finish again, but early feelings say it can easily be a 5-7 finish.
Alexis Baker: The issue in the MAC this year is that the teams that were good last year, which were pretty much only Toledo, Ohio, and Miami, are probably going to stay good, and the teams that were bad last year I don’t necessarily see improving all that much this year to qualify as breakouts. I’d say of the three big winners, Ohio has the most gaps to close up, and they could struggle a bit. They were bowl-eligible last year, but I think Bowling Green has it in them to make a big play to the top of the conference this year. I am really high on the Falcons, which going by last year’s Week 1 roundtable, is going to bite me in the butt really, really badly.
Which under-the-radar players, one offensive and one defensive, do you see having a breakout season in 2024?
JJ: This is strange to say considering they were highlighted as an immediate impact starter, but Central Michigan QB Joe Labas might be under the radar offensively. His spring and fall ball reports have been very impressive— to the point where I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s eventually tabbed the starter. He doesn’t have a lot of college stats to fall back on (one game at Iowa in three seasons) but if CMU opts for a more traditional QB approach, he has the tools to make it work. On defense, I look at Buffalo LB Red Murdock. You’d be forgiven if you thought he wasn’t a redshirt freshman because he certainly didn’t perform like it. Murdock finished with 60 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, two sacks and four forced fumbles in 12 games, starting six times in the place of Shaun Dolac when the latter was injured in 2023. Now with a more firm starter’s role, he should have a true breakout season.
SH: Offensively, I am super high on Bowling Green WR RJ Garcia II. There are so many transfer receivers that arrive at the MAC for expanded playing time that witness instant success (e.g. Mac Hippenhammer, Shocky Jacques-Louis), and Garcia has a quarterback in Connor Bazelak and an offensive system around him in order to thrive after serving as a background contributor at Kansas State. Defensively, I’ll pick someone on Toledo because that defense lost so much production but seamlessly replaces its stars every year. Toledo OLB Deshawn Holt could be in for an All-MAC campaign as the team’s new premier pass rusher after producing 4.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss a year ago. It wouldn’t shock me if those numbers more than doubled into double-digit totals by the end of this year.
SK: Homer alert. My offensive breakout is Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak. After finishing 2023 with under 2,000 passing yards, Bazelak will perform much better this season with a bunch of offensive pieces returning. It can happen if he stays healthy. My defensive breakout is Bowling Green LB Joseph Sipp, Jr. Sipp was second on the team in tackles in 2023. I expect Sipp to be a leader as a lot of Bowling Green’s linebacker production from 2023 departed.
Which head coaches have the most at stake in 2024? Also, do you see any coaches at risk for being poached by another program as head coaches?
JJ: I think the coach with the most at stake is Jim McElwain. Patience has started to run thin in what it is a traditionally prideful fanbase, and the rumblings around the team have gotten louder by the day. The Chippewas have a relatively favorable schedule in 2024 which, if they’re competent, should result in a bowl bid. If they don’t… the coaching staff will be in a tough position for keeping their jobs, especially given some of the on-field lows the program has achieved in recent years. Combine that with off-field heat from the Conor Stalions story (fair or not), and it’s got the ingredients for a coach firing gumbo.
SH: The coach with the highest stakes in 2024 is Ball State’s Mike Neu. Neu’s tenure in Muncie, IN can already be deemed a success as he brought the Cardinals their first MAC championship since 1996. That 2020 season, which featured a 7-1 record, also brought the program its first end-of-season ranking and first bowl victory in history. However, 2020 is Neu’s only winning record in eight years at the helm. Ball State pulled off its last MAC title on the heels of a 5-7 season and Neu must show he’s capable of that drastic improvement once again to maintain the trust of the fanbase.
SK: As previously mentioned, Mike Neu has the most at stake this year. One winning season that included a MAC title is fine, but a 37-56 overall record may say otherwise. I fear that one more below average season will make the seat too hot for Neu.
AB: I think it’s about that time that Joe Moorhead and Mike Neu are going to start feeling the heat if something resembling an upward trajectory doesn’t manifest this year. There is only so much losing a program can handle before certain questions start being asked. Do I think they should face heat? I’m not sure, I personally err on the side of not firing a guy when in doubt, but this is an era where coaches have much, much shorter leashes than they historically have. I think of the two, Neu is in a much hotter seat. Moorhead was handed a horrible situation and made the best of a bad situation. Neu, meanwhile, had some baffling gameplay choices last year. I don’t think any MAC coach is getting poached unless that team goes to the playoffs, and I’m not sure how much of a promotion they’re looking at in that case.
What will be the MAC’s most impressive non-conference win in 2024?
JJ: The way this year’s schedule fell, there honestly aren’t a lot of these games you can instantly pick and say “this would be a great win”, but Miami vs. Northwestern would be pretty intriguing. I think these teams are pretty equal in the way of talent and culture, and it would be a very bold statement to go on the road and beat a Big Ten team right out the gate — especially with a rivalry trophy game on the line in the next week vs. Cincinnati.
SH: Miami (OH) vs. Northwestern has all the recipes for an upset. The Wildcats open as just slight home favorites, while playing in a makeshift football venue on Lake Michigan that typically serves as a soccer field. The accomplishments of 2023 Northwestern were, and still are, severely underrated, faring 8-5 and earning a bowl win over Utah with David Braun operating as an interim coach. But Miami edged Northwestern two years ago at Ryan Field, and the reigning MAC champions return a horde of talent on both sides to do it again. Also, the Wildcats are 3-4 in their last seven games vs. the MAC, so history leans Miami’s way.
SK: It’s a toss up between Miami-Northwestern and Toledo-Mississippi State for me, with the edge leaning to Miami vs. Northwestern. Northwestern finished 8-5 in 2023, after an abysmal 1-11 in 2022. With the talent coming back for Miami, I like the chances for the Redhawks to beat the Wildcats again.
AB: Miami at Northwestern is the best shot at doing it. Wisconsin is no longer trustworthy, but they drew Western Michigan this year. The only positive coming out of Akron and Ohio State is a good check for the Zips to bolster their program.
Who do you predict wins the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards?
JJ: Assuming Miami’s season goes as expected, I have a hard time not considering Miami QB Brett Gabbert in his swan song season (unless he miraculously pulls out a seventh-year from somewhere.) He’d be a favorite just from the comeback narrative alone after his injury last season. Defensively, I have my eyes on BGSU DB Jordan Oladokun. Oladokun proved to be a great compliment to Davon Ferguson in 2023, finishing with 30 tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups. I can’t help but to feel those numbers should only get better now that he’s the main main in Bowling Green. He’ll be an issue for any opposing offensive coordinator.
SH: For MAC Offensive Player of the Year, I’ll go with Bowling Green RB Terion Stewart. Four of the last five recipients of this award have gone to running backs, and I don’t think this league is as quarterback-dominant as its been in prior years. Stewart appears destined for his first 1,000-yard season after averaging more than six yards per carry in a breakout 2023. Defensively is where it gets tougher to pick, but I’m on board with a repeat for Miami (OH) OLB Matt Salopek. Salopek is simply a tackling machine, winning it last year after producing 143. He’s going for a fourth-straight 100+ tackle season on the reigning MAC champions’ loaded defense, and that’ll be hard to ignore if Miami’s defense lives up to expectations.
SK: Miami sweeps the awards. Offensive Player of the Year will go to Miami QB Brett Gabbert. Gabbert still has all the tools to perform at a very high level once again, even for an award recently dominated by running backs. Defensive Player of the Year will go to Miami OLB Matt Salopek once again. Three straight seasons of 100+ tackles is definitely eye opening, and it would not surprise me to see him put up those numbers once again.
The MAC Championship Game takes place the first weekend of December at Ford Field. Which teams meet in Detroit and who emerges with the conference crown?
JJ: This will be the first time we see teams get in by record, which is something that’ll take getting used to, admittedly. I did love the geographic set-ups, but if this is how the MAC can create legitimate candidates for the Playoff and things of that nature, then I’m for it. It’s hard to go against convention here, though, as Toledo and Miami are clearly the two best teams in the conference heading into the season. They have the most experience and talent returning and both have the pedigree to get back to Detroit.
SH: Last year, I correctly stated to never pick the reigning champion as we haven’t seen a repeat winner since 2012 Northern Illinois. Then I proceeded to pick Miami (OH) over Toledo. As much as I like how well-rounded and deep the RedHawks are — especially the o-line and front seven — I have to abide by my policy, because it doesn’t fail. With divisions scrapped this year, I’ll take Bowling Green over Miami (OH). The Falcons continue to progress under Scot Loeffler and will field the league’s best offense with Connor Bazelak and Terion Stewart qualifying for the All-MAC team.
SK: I truly believe we will finally have a repeat champion this year. I have no doubt that Miami (OH) gets back to Detroit this year. My only doubt is who they’ll play. It may very well come down to the final week. Toledo could make it three straight trips, BG could take that next step, and Ohio has that kind of schedule where they could sneak in. I’m going to be bold and predict we’ll have two Battle of the Bricks this year. Miami over Ohio.
AB: I think one team is Toledo, for sure. The second team is a harder decision. Do I go with Miami, who would be the obvious pick? Or do I go with upstart Bowling Green? To play it safe, I say we get a rematch of last year’s MAC title game, and a repeat championship for the RedHawks.
The 12-team playoff allows the MAC its most feasible road to the College Football Playoff. Will any MAC team reside in the rankings or be in the conversation for the CFP this season?
JJ: Like in the previous answers, I think it has to be one of Toledo or Miami. Personally, I think it would be Miami if you made me choose one team; they have the benefit of being the reigning MAC champion and are simply stacked with upperclassman talent which should make them favored in the vast majority of their games. Chuck Martin has created a monster in Oxford. If they do what I think they’re capable of, it would be hard to ignore them in the rankings.
SH: Last year, Toledo cracked the AP Poll in November, becoming the first MAC team to do so since 2020. However, no MAC team resided in the CFP rankings and I don’t expect anyone to do so in 2024 unless one team remains undefeated after nine weeks. Toledo is the most likely remaining unbeaten with a favorable non-conference slate, but if Miami (OH) handles Northwestern and Cincinnati, it could land in the AP Poll by dominating the MAC. But moving the conversation to CFP, I don’t think the MAC enters the conversation. It will be an uphill battle for even a one-loss MAC team against any two-loss AAC champion, and too many things have to fall into place.
SK: I’m a firm believer that a MAC team has to go undefeated to just have a chance in the CFP conversation. The only one that might have a chance based on strength of schedule is Miami (OH). If the RedHawks beat their Power 4 teams, with Notre Dame as an outlier, they could be in the conversation. However, that seems like a very slim chance. I don’t think a MAC team will be in the CFP conversation, nor in the final CFP poll.
AB: Nope, and unlike last year, it’s not particularly close.
The Mountain West is in prime position to challenge the American for the title of Tier 2’s premier conference, with Boise State and Fresno State looking like they could have really nice years.
In addition, Tier 2 teams now have to contend with the addition of Oregon State and Washington State. Although it has yet to be seen if the Pacific Athletic Conference lifers can adjust quickly to life in Tier 2 after being rudely thrown off the cliff like a Spartan child, both schools have tough schedules that could be attractive to pollsters if they win lots of games. This also has the inverse effect of bolstering the cases of the Mountain West heavyweights if they manage to beat the two.
The MAC is in the ignominious position of being good, but not good enough.