People outside of the MAC world are probably unaware of this, but it’s one of those non-Power 4 vs. Power 4 matchups that could easily shakeup the season before October. Teams like Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Miami (OH) tend to put a scare into mid-tier teams they encounter. If anything, they MAC conference is the Big Ten’s little brother. They play physical, nasty, and scrappy, and will fight to the end even if they’re down two scores. Don’t be surprised if you come across a couple of upset alerts involving a team struggling against a MAC opponent. I’d suggest watching out for these matchups that could affect a Power 4 team’s whole season.

Iowa State’s roster and staff are completely restructured after many of them departed for Penn State, other schools, or the NFL. Bowling Green’s restructuring theirs after a poor 4-8 season, but they could sneak up on Iowa State while they’re trying to figure out their roster. If the Falcons can keep the score low, anything can happen in the 4th quarter.

First matchup since 1949. Pitt is 2-0 in that meeting and could add on to it. They return plenty of experience on offense and have a defensive front that’ll create problems for Miami. Miami has a defense that’ll create opportunities for points, but they don’t have a trustworthy offense that’ll keep up with Pitt. Even their 246-pound running back D’Shawntae Jones won’t be enough to pound through that nasty defensive line. If Miami’s defense can create enough disruptions and force turnovers on quarterback Mason Heintschel, they might have a chance.

Nebraska could likely smoke Ohio with ease, but Ohio proved that mid-tier Power 4 teams won’t stop them from ruining the Huskers’ start to the season. Nebraska brought in quarterback Anthony Colandrea after a good season at UNLV, but Ohio has returning quarterback Nick Poulos who’s big, tall, and knows the playbook that impressed coaches during the offseason. Nebraska’s run game was a bit porous and needs improvement if they want to stop this big guy from controlling the game. Ohio upsetting Nebraska could be a huge blow to the Cornhuskers’ CFP opportunity before October.

Miami (OH) recently churned down the point spread in the last two seasons against Cincinnati. Even in a loss last season, they showed a bit more competitiveness that was missing during Cincy’s era under coach Luke Fickell. Since coach Scott Satterfield took over, Miami (OH) eventually closed in due to Cincy’s roster turnover. There’s a chance that the Redhawks could get Cincy again, but the problem is that they’re facing Georgia Southern transfer quarterback JC French IV. Just like Pitt, Miami’s offense may not be enough to keep up with French IV and the Bearcats.

Both teams face each other for the second time ever since 1925. Michigan State brings in Pat Fitzgerald who’s very familiar with these MAC vs. Big Ten matchups in the past. He’s 11-3 all-time against the MAC when he coached at Northwestern. Toledo’s defense last season was the best in the MAC and up there in the nation, so there’s a possibility of keeping the score close. If an offensive player can put together some production, it’ll make Spartan fans sweat all game long.