2024 MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS
REGULAR SEASON PREDICTIONS
2024 MAC SEASON PREDICTIONS
TEAM Conf Overall
1.Toledo 7-1 9-3
2.*Miami (OH) 6-2 7-5
3.W Michigan 6-2 7-5
4.Bowling Green 5-3 7-5
5.N Illinois 5-3 7-5
6.Ohio 5-3 7-5
7.C Michigan 4-4 5-7
8.Buffalo 2-6 4-8
9.Akron 2-6 3-9
10.Ball St 2-6 3-9
11.Kent St 2-6 3-9
12.E Michigan 2-6 4-8
*Denotes Conference Championship winner.
CONFERENCE TEAM NOTES:
TOLEDO:
Year in and year out the best program in the MAC. Of course losing QB Fin nwill hurt bad, QB Gleason is big and athletic enough to ease that pain. They are loaded at WR also. Only 4 starters return on defense, that could become the difference. I like them to win the regular season.
MIAMI (OH):
QB Gabbert has 29 career starts, they will need a RB to step up, also transfers at WR and OL will need to start and excel quickly. This defense will be the conferences best and carry this team. Look for 3/5 to contend for All-Conference, they are solid at every position. I see them winning the Championship game.
W MICHIGAN:
17 returning starters is high for the MAC, QB Wolff has high upside, look for a major jump in scoring from last seasons 23.7! The defense with returners and several key transfers will make a leap also. I see them as my surprise team in the MAC.
BOWLING GREEN:
QB Bazelak is back for year six, the running game and OL look decent, TE/H-Back Fannin has NFL ability. The defense will have up to 8 SR's starting this season and while unspectacular the are effective.
N ILLINOIS:
They will live and die only their running game. The pass game can improve with transfer Macon or returning B/U Hampton and most of the receiving corp returning. 8 starters return to a defense that played above themselves last season, that will need to happen again.
OHIO:
Only 2 starters return on offense, that's a HUGE problem. Yes some solid transfers are on hand but it will take time. The defensive outlook more of the same with only 4 returning. This season could be worse than I think, I have confidence in HC Albin to pull it together
C MICHIGAN:
OL will be a strength, QB transfer Labas will be key, they need to find a roll for QB Emanuel, run game should be solid. The defense will be key, they need massive improvement, pass defense 1st, pressure on the QB needs to improve also.
BUFFALO:
Only 3 starters return on offense, QB, RB WR, OL all new bodies, that won't bode well and they only scored 20.9 last season. The defense is in better shape and will keep them in some games but a long season ahead.
AKRON:
This team is another transfer U, every year the good guys leave and they bring in more. 7-47 the last 5 years and I see no reason to expect much more this season. 9 starters return and a heard of transfers. This program is a mess. I really thought HC Morehead was a good hire, I'm questioning that thought process now.
BALL ST:
The starters team are not terrible but depth will be a major issue. Also finding a QB will be a problem with little on hand. Only one returning starter on defense will be a major problem. How fast the transfers and new starters find their footing will determine the season.
KENT ST:
I believe they have had 6 winning seasons since the early '70's. There are reasons for that, #1 lack of support from school Admin, that leads to an inability to retain the few good coaches they have had that leads to poor recruiting and in an EXCELLENT area to recuit!. This year even though 9 starters return on offense , they scare no one! OL is small and has no depth, skill position have been stripped by the portal. The defense has little speed or size. Another program in a mess.
E MICHIGAN:
The schedule more than the team places them here, they may have the conferences toughest schedule. They will need to find a QB, several RB's and WR's but HC Creighton should. The defense will keep games close.
