The MAC conference has been my favorite for over a decade. Not many are aware that the conference low-key produces elite-level NFL talent like Khalil Mack, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Kareem Hunt, etc. Ever since the transfer portal became more common and the NIL existed in today’s college football, other conferences not only harvested young/upcoming coaches, but also talented players. This season, the MAC overall turns into a war of attrition. Whoever comes out with the most depth and a healthy quarterback likely wins the conference.

This event may have affected the conference overall, but it doesn’t mean the programs didn’t benefit from the portal while developing recruited players that receive more opportunity. Miami (OH) (with a healthy Brett Gabbert), Ohio (with a healthy Kurtis Rourke), Buffalo, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Northern Illinois (recovering from injuries) have the best chance of playing in the conference championship.

As for Bowling Green, Akron, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and Ball State, they have areas of advantage that might net them a bowl opportunity but also have areas of weakness that could hinder their opportunity. As for Kent State, they were the most harvested of the 12 MAC teams and will be in complete rebuild this season.

MAC EAST

OHIO BOBCATS

It’s a gamble with Ohio, but with a healthy Kurtis Rourke, Ohio has the best chance of a back-to-back conference title appearance. Rourke is also one of the top quarterbacks of the conference. Before going down with an ACL injury, he carved defenses for 3,257 yards and 25 touchdowns. The offense has a stacked backfield, stacked receiving corps, and most of their experienced linemen. Defense is good in most spots, but the defensive line might need some help and the pass defense must improve after allowing 286 yards per game last season. Their schedule looks interesting. San Diego State, FAU, and Iowa State are likely toss-ups because of flaws at quarterback and/or changes at key positions. If they capitalize early, they will challenge for a MAC title.

MIAMI (OH) REDHAWKS

Miami (OH) is favored to win the East division, but the offense needs quarterback Brett Gabbert healthy. Without him, the team is middling at best. Without him after four games, the offense failed to score 30 points the rest of the season. They go through new receivers, including a few transfers, but they could make instant impact with Gabbert. Miami’s defense was strongly consistent for a few seasons and should be once again. With a healthy Gabbert, it’s a MAC title or bust this season.

BUFFALO BULLS

Buffalo is one of those recent MAC teams that’s hard out. Last season, they were close to a MAC title appearance before coming up short behind Ohio. They lost four games by 12 points or less. It’s possible they could battle for the East division title. The offensive line looks good, and the run game will go through more than one back. Quarterback Cole Snyder has a chance to improve and help the offense improve their scoring average per game (28.5). Defense looked balanced until they declined down the stretch by allowing 30 plus points in their three losses (costing them a division title). If the offense averages 30 or above and the defense improves consistently, they will have opportunities in back-to-back weeks against Ohio and Miami (OH) to claim the division title.

BOWLING GREEN FALCONS

Bowling Green reached a bowl game for the first time since 2015. They hope to gain momentum, but it’s hard to believe they can. The transfer portal hurt the Falcons more than helped. The quarterback position should be fine no matter who starts. Like Akron, everywhere else is an issue and improvements must be made across the board. Their return to a bowl is unlikely and winning six games becomes difficult.

AKRON ZIPS

Now we cross the line of East division contenders into the other side that has teams fighting for a bowl or rebuilding. We start with Akron, who’s still rebuilding under coach Joe Moorhead in Year 2. Senior quarterback DJ Irons looks like the centerpiece of an ongoing rebuild (even this is his last season). While he was out recovering during the offseason, other senior Jeff Undercuffler Jr. impressed the staff to now have to reliable quarterbacks on the depth chart. The rest of the roster outside of the secondary are stepping in as starters and are unproven. A lot will be put on the quarterbacks to carry the team to more than two wins.

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES

No MAC team was hit the hardest than Kent State. They fail heavily victim to the transfer portal in virtually every position on offense and a few on defense. While the defense managed to holdover some returning starters, there’s absolutely no returning offensive starters. Unfortunately, Kent State is in full rebuild.

MAC WEST

TOLEDO ROCKETS

Toledo is the undisputed favorite to win the MAC. Quarterback Dequan Finn returns as the leading man after throwing 2,260 for 23 touchdowns while running 631 for another nine. He has running backs and receivers returning alongside him with an experienced offensive line. Defense should be as good as last year’s led by linebacker Dallas Gant. They were by far the best in the conference and gave non-conference teams like San Diego State a scare and helped defeat Liberty in the Boca Raton Bowl. Barring any set back in 2023, look out for Toledo to aim for 10-plus wins.

EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES

Future Eastern Michigan great, Chris Creighton, and company comes into 2023 competing for the elusive West division title. While it’s difficult to capture since Toledo’s likely winning the division title, the Eagles are a gritty bunch and will bring the physicality to any conference foe they face. The offense has key players like Samson Evans and Tanner Knue, but the offensive line and the quarterback must be sorted out before conference play. Defense should be fine, but they could use some improvement in points allowed after giving up 28.5 per game. The good news is that they have defensive end Alex Merritt back but losing Jose Ramirez after he net 12 sacks last season is the bad news. They should win seven to eight games this season, but it’s possible they could aim for 10 wins if their offense improves and their defense finds answers.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES

NIU were MAC champions in 2021 then finished last in the division last season. Injuries hindered their title repeat, but they return plenty of starters on both sides. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi returns for one more run and has a wide range of pass catchers on the depth chart. The offensive line has everyone back, which should help them dominate the trenches. Defense was hampered by injuries, but hopefully they return to form fully healthy. The front seven returns plenty of experience with transfers, but the secondary must improve with added depth led by safety, CJ Brown. The early schedule isn’t promising, but if the Huskies play like their 2021 selves, they could upset Boston College or Nebraska to send a message across the MAC that they’re back!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS

The Chips were hit with a few losses in the portal, but they gained some talent in return to maintain their roster as best as possible. Defense is potentially the strength of this team while the offense may need work with the running backs and the receivers. No one stood out at running back, but maybe the addition of BJ Harris makes the decision easier. Quarterback Jase Bauer’s the likely candidate, but Bert Emanuel won’t be far behind. The positive part of this offense is the offensive line, and they need all the help to outplay MAC opponents hurt by depth on defense.

BALL STATE CARDINALS

Ball State fell victim to the transfer portal, including losing top player Carson Steele to UCLA and quarterback John Paddock to Illinois. However, they maintained their front seven from being picked off. They also add a few players from the portal, including running back Marquez Cooper (Kent State) and Layne Hatcher (Texas State). The only way Ball State can survive this season is adding enough transfers to offset losses on the depth chart. Most of those current transfers went to skills positions. They’re limited on the right side of the offensive line and the secondary, which can hurt them this season.

WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS

The Broncos performed subpar last season, so they fired Tim Lester and brought in Lance Taylor as the new coach. He benefits with an offensive line filled with returns, but he has issues at every other position on offense and defense. They must figure out a quarterback, potentially rely on several ball carriers, figure out their pass catchers, and fill some depth across their entire defense. It may not be the season for Western Michigan this year with the lack of depth on both sides hurt by transfers, graduates, and NFL departures. They could likely suffer back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2012 and 2013.