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Invoice Connelly
“There’s lots of people speaking about Group of 5, Energy 4, the cash and the assets and NIL. It is concerning the gamers and it is about lining up and banging heads and [may] the most effective man win. You noticed that [Saturday].” — Northern Illinois athletic director Sean Frazier, after the Huskies’ 2024 upset of Notre Dame
The MAC is proof {that a} huge tent can produce often unimaginable issues. As faculty soccer retains trending towards closing up store and distributing extra money to fewer colleges, and because the thought of a so-called “tremendous league” — one that may both restrict or utterly remove alternatives for MAC-level colleges — continues to waft round, this league and its groups maintain looking for methods to make noise. NIU’s huge second in 2024 proved that, given sufficient alternatives, they will nonetheless achieve this. Previously 25 seasons, MAC groups have scored 78 wins over power-conference groups, and whereas practically half of these have come from NIU (14), Bowling Inexperienced (12) and Toledo (11), 14 present and former MAC packages have posted no less than one.
Present circumstances are making issues awfully tough, although. The underside half of the MAC has all the time been fairly shaky, and 2024 was no exception: MAC groups occupied 4 of the underside 15 slots within the year-end SP+ rankings, which additionally ranked 0-12 Kent State because the worst FBS group in 4 years. Then got here a brutal offseason through which (A) NIU organized to go away for the Mountain West in 2026, (B) MAC groups received hit tougher than anybody else by the switch portal and normal attrition (the MAC’s 41.1% returning production average was greater than 12 share factors beneath the nationwide common), (C) the reigning convention champion (Ohio) misplaced head coach Tim Albin to a Charlotte program that has had only one successful season ever in FBS, and (D) Bowling Inexperienced head coach Scot Loeffler left for an NFL place coach job within the spring.
In a school soccer universe with NIL cash and unrestricted transfers, continuity is rising more and more tough in MACtion nation. However the convention nonetheless boasts some confirmed coaches and high-level expertise, and stars will inevitably emerge. Let’s preview the MAC!
All through the summer time, Invoice Connelly will preview each FBS convention, finally together with all 136 FBS groups. The previews will embrace 2024 breakdowns, 2025 previews and team-by-team capsules.
2024 recap
NIU stole the early headlines, however accidents and offensive struggles rendered Thomas Hammock’s Huskies an afterthought within the convention race. By midseason, it grew to become more and more clear that Ohio and Miami (Ohio) have been the MAC’s most secure bets. Miami beat Ohio 30-20 within the common season, however the Bobcats’ offense ignited from there, averaging 36.7 factors throughout a season-ending seven-game successful streak that included a 38-3 throttling of Miami within the MAC championship recreation.
Continuity desk
The continuity desk seems at every group’s returning manufacturing ranges (offense, protection and general), the variety of 2024 FBS begins from each returning and incoming gamers and the approximate variety of redshirt freshmen on the roster heading into 2025. (Why “approximate”? As a result of colleges generally make it very tough to establish who redshirted and who did not.) Continuity is an more and more tough artwork in roster administration, however some groups pull it off higher than others.
From Miami nook Raion Strader (Auburn) to Bowling Inexperienced operating again Terion Stewart (Virginia Tech) to NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton (Illinois) to Ball State tight finish Tanner Koziol (Houston) to numerous high-level Ohio defenders, MAC groups misplaced quite a few stars to power-conference colleges. In all, eight MAC groups (together with 4 with new head coaches) rank within the backside 18 in returning manufacturing.
Toledo and Buffalo largely averted the identical destiny, nonetheless. The Rockets and Bulls each rank within the prime 50 in returning manufacturing, and through an intriguing nine-win season through which his Bulls improved from 119th to 87th in SP+, second-year Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo was in a position to construct a stable base of redshirt freshmen as nicely.
Regardless of shedding Albin, Ohio tried continuity by selling offensive coordinator Brian Smith to go coach, and he was in a position to maintain on to no less than a number of key items, together with quarterback Parker Navarro, left deal with Davion Weatherspoon and security DJ Walker. SP+ means that may be sufficient to maintain the Bobcats in MAC rivalry.
2025 projections
Solely 4 groups begin out with top-100 projections, they usually make sense: They’re the 2 who performed within the title recreation final 12 months (Ohio and Miami) and the 2 who return probably the most from 2024 bowl groups (Toledo and Buffalo). The percentages of no less than a type of groups clicking and enjoying at a top-50 or top-60 stage are fairly good.
The percentages are additionally fairly good that the underside portion of the convention goes to be awfully poor. UMass returns to the MAC with a brand new coach (former Rutgers assistant Joe Harasymiak) and virtually no expectations, and 4 of the underside 5 slots within the recent SP+ projections went to MAC groups.
(* Akron is ineligible for the postseason because of APR points.)
The aforementioned 4 top-100 groups have a mixed 65% likelihood of successful the convention title. However I assume meaning there’s nonetheless a better than one-in-three likelihood of an underdog run, huh?
5 finest video games of 2025
Listed here are the 5 convention video games that characteristic (A) the very best mixed SP+ scores for each groups and (B) a projected scoring margin of lower than 10 factors.
Oct. 11: Toledo at Bowling Inexperienced. Many of the MAC’s largest video games happen as soon as the convention shifts to midweek MACtion video games in November, however this will likely be an early tone-setter between a gifted Toledo group with a navigable early schedule and a BGSU group with fairly a number of query marks and an intriguing new head coach in Eddie George.
Nov. 4: Miami (Ohio) at Ohio. Final 12 months’s two finest groups jockey for place. Miami is a projected favourite within the 5 video games previous this one.
Nov. 12: Toledo at Miami (Ohio). Two MACtion weeks, two large video games for Chuck Martin’s RedHawks.
Nov. 19: Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo. Make that three large video games in three weeks for Miami.
Nov. 28: Ohio at Buffalo. Buffalo’s schedule provides up a large alternative: After the season opener towards Minnesota, Lembo’s Bulls are projected favorites in 10 straight video games earlier than Ohio visits over Thanksgiving weekend.
Convention title (and, technically, CFP) contenders
Head coach: Jason Candle (tenth 12 months, 73-40 general)
2025 projection: 72nd in SP+ (77th offense, 63rd protection), 8.8 common wins, 6.4 convention wins
It feels unattainable to adequately consider Jason Candle. On one hand, regardless of operating this system with extra constant funding and high-quality recruiting than any convention mate, he is gained solely two MAC titles in 10 years. It is all the time going to really feel just like the title fee must be greater than that for the Rockets.
Then again, Candle’s Rockets have gained 11 video games twice and have taken down Arkansas, Iowa State, BYU, Mississippi State and Pitt (the final two have been each in 2024). His subsequent win will likely be his 74th at UT, passing Gary Pinkel’s complete for probably the most at school historical past. He fielded some superior offenses early in his tenure, and when the Toledo protection crumbled a number of years in the past, he made a incredible defensive coordinator rent (Vince Kehres) to proper the ship. He is by no means completed with a shedding report. Principally, he is been adequate to maintain his job however not fairly adequate to get employed away by power-conference packages. And with stable continuity (particularly at QB and in an excellent secondary), it certain appears like he’ll have an opportunity at a 3rd MAC title this season. After a season-opening go to to Kentucky, the Rockets are projected favorites in each remaining recreation.
Beating Mississippi State (by 24!) and Pitt however shedding to Akron, amongst others, actually suggests issues went sideways for a bit final 12 months. The principle cause was an offense that slipped to 88th in offensive SP+, the worst rating of the Candle period. The Rockets scored 15 or fewer in 4 MAC video games, shedding all 4, and the run recreation was the first perpetrator: The Rockets have been simply 124th in speeding success fee. The road was leaning on children, and the RBs did not break practically sufficient tackles.
Candle did not make any main employees modifications however introduced in 4 offensive line transfers, plus operating backs Chip Trayanum (Kentucky) and Kenji Christian (NC A&T), to shore issues up. If these strikes work, the passing recreation, that includes veteran quarterback Tucker Gleason, final 12 months’s main receiver Junior Vandeross III and NIU switch Trayvon Rudolph — and, maybe, sophomore and former star recruit Zy’marion Lang — might be the first beneficiary.
There are fewer questions on protection, the place Kehres’ unit has averaged a 55.0 defensive SP+ rating during the last three seasons. Granted, each starter within the entrance six is gone, however finish Malachi Davis and deal with Martez Poynter are sturdy veterans, and the portal introduced gamers like finish Louce Julien (6.5 TFLs at UMass) and linebacker Hudson Miller (5 begins at Purdue). The secondary was the power of the UT protection final 12 months, and 5 of final 12 months’s prime seven return, together with a dynamite nickel again in Braden Awls. Sophomore transfers Amare Snowden and Braedyn Moore, each former blue-chippers from Wisconsin, might contribute rapidly too.
Head coach: Brian Smith (first 12 months)
2025 projection: eightieth in SP+ (83rd offense, 79th protection), 7.4 common wins, 5.7 convention wins
Ohio gained 10 video games below Tim Albin in each 2022 and 2023 however misplaced an unimaginable 10 starters, led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke (Indiana) and all-conference deal with Kurt Danneker (Baylor), to power-conference transfers. It was an absolute bounty of expertise strolling out the door. After which the Bobcats gained 11 video games and a MAC title in 2024. It was simply top-of-the-line teaching performances of the season. However as a substitute of trying to tug off an analogous magic act in 2025, Albin left for a brand new venture at Charlotte, and OC Brian Smith moved as much as the larger workplace.
In quarterback Parker Navarro (2,423 passing yards, 1,143 non-sack speeding yards in 2024), left deal with Davion Weatherspoon, security DJ Walker and nook Tank Pearson, plus returning operating again Sieh Bangura (who transferred to Minnesota in 2024 however returned), Smith saved some confirmed items in Athens, and by MAC requirements, continuity ranges aren’t too dangerous. However the idea of the double-dip remains to be a scary one. They nonetheless should exchange their main receiver, no less than three beginning offensive linemen, no less than 4 rotation linemen and principally each linebacker for the second straight season. Even in the event you survive main turnover as soon as, having to take action 12 months after 12 months — and whereas altering head coaches, no much less — actually brings about extra alternatives for regression.
Bangura’s return is a welcome one; he and Navarro kind one of the confirmed MAC backfields, however they will have an awfully new line in entrance of them. These accountable for solely 20 of final 12 months’s 70 OL begins are again, and 4 transfers, together with small-school starters Nick Marinaro (Dartmouth) and Josh Waite (Shippensburg), may need to make rapid contributions. Main receiver Coleman Owen is gone too, probably leaving a big-play void.
Smith properly held on to defensive coordinator John Hauser, whose first Bobcat protection saved opponents each inefficient and nonexplosive in 2024.
Like Toledo, Ohio boasts way more confirmed entities within the again than within the entrance. The mixture of Walker, Pearson, nickel Adonis Williams, transfers Rickey Hyatt Jr. (South Alabama) and Ronald Jackson Jr. (Montana) and maybe a teenager like sophomore Tony Mathis ought to maintain quarterbacks annoyed. However senior deal with Bralen Henderson will see a number of new rotation items round him. Senior ends Kaci Seegars and Walter Bob Jr. must be stable up entrance, however depth is an apparent concern. No returning or incoming linebacker logged greater than 17 snaps in 2024.
Head coach: Pete Lembo (second 12 months, 9-4 general)
2025 projection: 91st in SP+ (104th offense, 78th protection), 7.7 common wins, 5.5 convention wins
Ohio’s optimistic projection relies fairly a bit on the Bobcats’ robust current historical past. Buffalo, nonetheless, appears to have fairly a bit extra within the “confirmed entities” division. Pete Lembo was Ball State’s head coach from 2011-15 and engineered as many bowl journeys (two) as this system has seen within the 9 years since his departure. He engineered rapid enchancment in his return to MAC life too, and now main rusher Al-Jay Henderson, main receiver Victor Snow, three beginning O-linemen and 12 of 17 defenders with no less than 200 snaps all return. The big load of redshirts ought to guarantee stable depth.
The protection did not grade out any higher than the offense final 12 months, but it surely appears to have fewer query marks in 2025. Finish Kobe Stewart and linebackers Red Murdock and Dion Crawford mixed for 42.5 tackles for loss, 37 run stops and 20 sacks final season — nobody else on this convention boasts that sort of play-making star energy. The return of 300-pound senior George Wolo (injured in 2024) ought to guarantee the requisite dimension up entrance. The secondary gave up too many huge performs final season (particularly contemplating the standard of the go rush), however returning seven of final 12 months’s prime eight DBs and including each a younger power-conference switch (Arizona State nook Keontez Bradley) and a small-school star (Shepherd security Miles Greer) provides extra choices.
The offense has a bit extra to show, however dimension ought to assist: From a pure height-and-weight standpoint, the depth chart ought to appear to be one thing from an influence convention. Henderson measures in at 6-foot-0, 210 kilos, wideouts Nik McMillan (6-1, 224) and Chance Morrow (6-6, 195) might play huge roles, and two potential all-MAC guards, Trevor Brock and Tyler Doty, common 6-6 and 325 kilos between them. Snow, a former walk-on, is somewhat man within the slot (5-8, 165), however he proved regular and sturdy in 2024, catching no less than 4 passes in 9 video games.
Observe that I have not mentioned a phrase concerning the quarterback place but. With C.J. Ogbonna gone, offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude will doubtless be selecting between 2024 backup Gunnar Gray and, extra doubtless, journeyman Ta’Quan Roberson. Roberson has thrown for two,188 profession yards and was respectable at UConn (considered one of his three former colleges) in 2023. He ought to be capable of lean on a stable run recreation, however Ogbonna was able to huge performs right here and there, and Roberson has averaged simply 10.3 yards per completion in his profession. MAC rivalry will in all probability require greater than that.
A few breaks away from a run
Head coach: Chuck Martin (twelfth 12 months, 65-67 general)
2025 projection: 96th in SP+ (one hundred and thirty fifth offense, thirty fifth protection), 6.5 common wins, 4.7 convention wins
Chuck Martin was designed in a lab to frustrate me. He eschews analytics because it pertains to fourth downs. (The RedHawks went for it simply 11 instances in 101 fourth-down alternatives, a ten.9% go fee that ranked 133rd in FBS.) He’s all-in on the “play to not lose” recreation administration strategy, and it is contributed to a 22-31 profession report in one-score finishes since he started at Miami in 2014. He is old-school in lots of unhelpful methods.
He is additionally one hell of a program builder. He took over when Miami was at a very low ebb, and he has constructed issues brick by brick.
Miami, 2014-15: 5-19 report, 120.0 common SP+ rating
Miami, 2016-22: 40-40 report, 93.9 common SP+ rating
Miami, 2023-24: 20-8 report, 63.5 common SP+ rating
Martin and his remarkably constant employees — in 11 years, he is had two offensive coordinators and three defensive coordinators — establish and develop expertise nicely, play bodily and fairly uncomplicated ball, put main deal with particular groups and create the very best ground of any MAC group.
We will discover out quite a bit concerning the stability of mentioned ground in 2025. At this level I belief Martin to proceed to supply stable two-deeps with athleticism that exceeds their recruiting rankings. However … rattling, did the RedHawks lose quite a bit this offseason: Each main offensive starter is gone, as are principally 5.5 of the starters within the defensive entrance six. The secondary stays largely intact, however ace cornerback Raion Strader left for Auburn.
Martin inked solely three defensive transfers — a stable present of religion in final 12 months’s backups and potential stars like edge rusher Adam Trick and security Silas Walters. However the offense underwent a portal overhaul: quarterback Dequan Finn (Toledo/Baylor), 5 receivers (together with former Notre Dame blue-chipper Deion Colzie), two tight ends and three offensive linemen got here aboard. Finn, operating backs Kenny Tracy (injured in 2024) and Jordan Brunson ought to kind the bottom of a robust run recreation if the offensive line holds up, and the protection will get the advantage of the doubt. However shedding this a lot manufacturing is sort of a assure of regression. We’ll see if Martin’s program-building prowess can stop a collapse.
Head coach: Thomas Hammock (seventh 12 months, 32-38 general)
2025 projection: 106th in SP+ (133rd offense, 61st protection), 6.3 common wins, 4.5 convention wins
Like many evaluation-and-development guys, Thomas Hammock was comparatively sluggish to embrace portal life. NIU’s head coach introduced in simply 15 complete transfers from 2022-24, however he is grabbed 13 this offseason. He wanted reinforcements nearly all over the place he appeared. The Huskies’ basic upset of Notre Dame drove an eight-win season — NIU’s third successful 12 months in 4 — however Hammock’s Huskies misplaced their beginning quarterback, their prime two operating backs, their prime 4 go catchers, 5 of their prime six offensive linemen, and 11 of 16 defenders with no less than 200 snaps (together with the highest 4 defensive tackles). Defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto left for Fresno State, too.
For a wobbly offense, this turnover might be seen as a possibility for renewal. NIU ranked one hundred and fifteenth in offensive SP+ for every of the final two seasons; the run recreation was respectable final season, however the Huskies ranked 103rd in yards per dropback with no discernible explosiveness within the passing recreation. Hammock made an impressed coordinator rent, bringing in Quinn Sanders, the College of Charleston head coach who oversaw the No. 1 offense in Division II (per SP+). Charleston mixed a relentless run recreation with over-the-top passing; one might see how that may be interesting to the physicality-minded Hammock.
Hammock introduced in quarterback Jackson Proctor, a good dual-threat from Dartmouth, however QB seems to be Josh Holst‘s job to lose. The sophomore was robust within the Huskies’ 28-20 bowl win over Fresno State, and sophomore RB Telly Johnson Jr. grew to become the go-to again late within the season. That is a great place to begin, however just one returning receiver gained greater than 60 receiving yards, and the road will likely be loaded with sophomores and juniors. It’s going to be huge, although: Hammock has established a pleasant pipeline of men listed at 6-foot-4 or taller and 300 kilos or heavier.
It is tougher to make gentle of the defensive turnover. NIU has averaged a top-40 defensive SP+ rating during the last two seasons however principally returns 2.5 starters on that aspect of the ball. Defensive finish Roy Williams and nook Jacob Finley are stable beginning factors on the perimeter, however new coordinator Rob Harley may want smaller-school transfers like deal with Dasean Dixon (Albany) and security Jasper Beeler (Saginaw Valley State) to thrive rapidly. In any other case the two-deep will likely be loaded with freshmen and sophomores.
Head coach: Eddie George (first 12 months)
2025 projection: 111th in SP+ (98th offense, 121st protection), 5.3 common wins, 4.0 convention wins
Scot Loeffler was beginning to get someplace. After going simply 7-22 in his first three seasons at BGSU, he hovered round .500 annually from 2022 to 2024, however the underlying numbers (122nd in SP+ in 2022, 94th in 2023, 77th in 2024) advised wonderful progress. In 2024, the Falcons had their finest offense in 9 years and their finest protection in 11. However Loeffler left to grow to be the Philadelphia Eagles’ QBs coach in late February — an comprehensible however extraordinarily inconvenient transfer.
BGSU made an intriguing substitute rent, nonetheless, in Eddie George, the Ohio State legend and, extra not too long ago, writer of a pleasant revival at Tennessee State. After going 15-18 in his first three seasons at TSU, his Tigers jumped to 9-4 with a primary FCS playoff bid final fall. He introduced each TSU coordinators with him (OC Travis Partridge, DC Brandon Fisher), and after Loeffler had already added 15 transfers within the winter, George signed one other 10.
Translation: That is going to be a brand new group. BGSU’s 59 returning begins are the third lowest in a turnover-heavy convention, and 47 of these begins are from one unit (OL). The protection returns principally 0.5 starters (security Darius Lorfils, who began six video games).
I am actually intrigued by a number of the defensive newcomers, although. Defensive deal with Eriq George (son of the coach) had 12.5 TFLs for TSU, and linebacker Gideon Lampron had 26.5 TFLs at Dayton. Corners Mark Cannon Jr. (Illinois State) and Jalen McClendon (TSU) mixed for 4 picks and 32 go breakups. Throw in some children with robust recruiting rankings — defensive lineman Collins Acheampong (UCLA), linebacker Andrew Hines (Wake Forest), security Jay’Quan Bostic (Toledo), nook Key’on Washington (West Virginia) — and George may need one thing right here.
The offense may not have fairly as a lot upside, however expertise might produce a excessive ground. The road certainly returns 4 starters, all seniors, and veteran Drew Pyne comes over from Mizzou to paved the way at QB. The ability corps, nonetheless, is a complete thriller. Tight finish Arlis Boardingham (Florida) is athletic, and receivers Brennan Ridley (Hampton) and Allen Middleton (Southern Illinois) mixed for 1,018 receiving yards as FCS freshmen, but it surely’s laborious to find out who may see a ton of the ball in 2025.
Head coach: Matt Drinkall (first 12 months)
2025 projection: 117th in SP+ (127th offense, 102nd protection), 5.3 common wins, 4.0 convention wins
Matt Drinkall inherits personnel from a group that gained solely 13 video games in its final three years below Jim McElwain, and he may institute a fairly large stylistic shift with unproven offensive personnel. This does not really feel like the beginning of an “a few breaks away from a run” story. However a pleasant schedule and precise defensive continuity — a uncommon commodity on this convention — may make the Chippewas enchancment candidates.
Drinkall brings NAIA success to the desk — he improved Kansas Wesleyan from 2-9 to 13-1 with a playoff semifinal run over 5 years in Salina — and he was requested by Jeff Monken to modernize Military’s possibility assault following rule modifications in 2023. The modifications did not actually take, and he was demoted to Military O-line coach in 2024, however the Iowa grad nonetheless has Midwestern ties and an fascinating offensive background.
We in all probability will not see a lot of an possibility assault with incumbent Joe Labas the doubtless beginning QB. Labas began half of 2024 earlier than a season-ending damage; his full-season numbers (seven TDs, seven INTs) have been coloured by a horrid, five-INT efficiency towards Florida Worldwide, however he wasn’t a lot of a runner regardless. The return of slot man Tyson Davis (injured in 2023) assures no less than one skilled wideout, however no different returnee had greater than 66 receiving yards in 2024, and Tulane switch Trey Cornist is formally probably the most confirmed operating again … with 149 speeding yards final 12 months. Drinkall is an O-line man, and CMU ought to have good dimension up entrance, plus possibly some assist from FCS transfers John Iannuzzi (Columbia) and Jacob Russell (Valpo).
Veteran Sean Cronin, most not too long ago Military’s D-line coach, takes over as defensive coordinator, and his No. 1 activity is bringing stability to a dramatically all-or-nothing unit: CMU ranked eleventh nationally in stuff fee and thirteenth in sack fee however gave up a spectacular variety of huge performs. Linebackers Jordan Kwiatkowski and Dakota Cochran (mixed: 23.5 TFLs) are thrilling, and security Caleb Spann thrives close to the road of scrimmage. They’re plain playmakers, and cornerback Kalen Carroll (Cincinnati) is without doubt one of the convention’s few incoming power-conference starters. However glitches have been devastating in 2024, and Cronin will doubtless dial the chance profile again a bit.
Head coach: Chris Creighton (twelfth 12 months, 57-75 general)
2025 projection: 113th in SP+ (116th offense, 111th protection), 5.1 common wins, 3.5 convention wins
Chris Creighton has been pulling off .500ish seasons at EMU for lengthy sufficient that we’re forgetting how spectacular going .500 at EMU actually is. The Eagles gained 5 video games simply 3 times within the 24 seasons earlier than Creighton’s arrival from Drake in 2014, and now they’ve bowled six instances prior to now 9 years. Collapsing from 5-2 to 5-7 final 12 months, because of each epic damage points and shut defeats, was a real disappointment as a substitute of a roundabout accomplishment.
With so many MAC packages coping with main turnover, this may really feel like a possibility for Creighton and EMU … in the event that they weren’t coping with the identical factor. The Eagles return solely 4 gamers who began greater than 5 video games final season, although the accidents meant that fairly a number of of the returnees noticed the sphere. That is very true on protection, the place 11 returnees began no less than as soon as. Nonetheless, Creighton introduced in seven defensive transfers (plus 4 JUCOs) to guarantee a rebound for a unit that collapsed from 67th to one hundred and fifteenth in defensive SP+. New playmakers have to emerge, however defensive finish Jefferson Adam made 5.5 TFLs in simply 185 snaps, and nickel again Barry Manning had three run stops and two go breakups in 193 snaps; each might grow to be stars with starter-level enjoying time.
The offense collapsed to one hundred and thirtieth in offensive SP+ in 2023 however rebounded a bit final 12 months regardless of 18 guys beginning no less than one recreation. Solely six of these 18 return, however I am intrigued by newcomers like quarterback Cameron Edge (Maryland) and operating again James Jointer Jr. (Liberty), and receiver Terry Lockett Jr. is without doubt one of the league’s extra explosive returning wideouts. The bar for additional enchancment is fairly low — simply maintain guys semi-healthy, and you possibly can return to the highest 100.
Since Creighton’s arrival, solely NIU has performed in additional one-score video games amongst MAC groups than EMU — virtually stunning contemplating EMU’s fast-paced offense and fourth-down willingness — and that dynamic in all probability will not change in 2025: Ten of the Eagles’ 12 video games are projected inside single digits, and 6 of the final eight are projected inside a landing. Win the shut ones they did not win final 12 months, and 2025 will likely be fairly thrilling.
Simply on the lookout for a path to 6-6
Head coach: Lance Taylor (third 12 months, 10-15 general)
2025 projection: 118th in SP+ (112th offense, 117th protection), 4.8 common wins, 3.5 convention wins
After back-to-back shedding seasons for a seemingly stalling WMU program, 2024 introduced some positivity: Thanks primarily to a 5-1 report towards groups ranked within the triple digits in SP+, Lance Taylor’s Broncos eked out six wins and a bowl bid.
When it comes to balancing effectivity and explosiveness, the WMU offense was one of many extra well-rounded within the convention.
Walt Bell’s offense is based round robust speeding and fast passing; it is an apparent concern that solely 2.5 starters return (tight finish Blake Bosma, guard John Hofer and receiver and seven-game starter Malique Dieudonne), however junior operating again Jalen Buckley (683 yards, 9 TDs) is sweet, Bosma (88% catch fee) is an effectivity cheat code, and Taylor introduced in intriguing power-conference transfers equivalent to operating again Cole Cabana (Michigan), receiver Christian Leary (Alabama/Georgia Tech) and linemen Raheem Anderson (Michigan) and Hunter Whitenack (Illinois). Quarterback Hayden Wolff is gone, however I believe both sophomore Broc Lowry or JC All-American Brady Jones will fill in fairly nicely there.
The protection hasn’t but generated any traction below Taylor, who’s on his third coordinator in three years. New DC Chris O’Leary was a Notre Dame analyst and, in 2024, the safeties coach for Jim Harbaugh’s L.A. Chargers. This appears like a high-ceiling, low-floor rent, and O’Leary’s success in 2025 will likely be derived primarily from numerous smaller-school transfers, probably the most intriguing of that are in all probability defensive finish Kershawn Fisher (Nicholls), linebacker Sefa Saipaia (Ferris State), nook Jordon Thomas (Jap Kentucky) and security Marvin Smith (Alabama A&M). Returning security Tate Hallock is a keeper, however newcomers will inform the story.
Head coach: Joe Moorhead (fourth 12 months, 8-28 general)
2025 projection: 132nd in SP+ (131st offense, one hundred and twentieth protection), 4.5 common wins, 3.2 convention wins
In three years at Akron, Joe Moorhead has proved to be a fairly stable expertise evaluator, and going 4-8 in 2024 — after the Zips went a mixed 7-47 from 2019-23 — was an plain success. However laborious jobs stay laborious in perpetuity; Moorhead hasn’t made any progress on offense (common offensive SP+ rating: 126.7), the Zips’ APR scores have dropped sufficient to get them banned from the postseason (not that six wins was significantly doubtless anyway), and Moorhead’s main reward for stable expertise identification is that mentioned expertise has been plucked away: Seven Zips transferred to power-conference groups this offseason.
It is sort of a misplaced 12 months already, in different phrases. However in Michael Johnson Jr. (Syracuse), operating again Chris Gee (Colgate), O-lineman Allen Jones Jr. (West Alabama), prolific linebacker Cam Hollobaugh (Walsh), security Mehki Flowers (Penn State) and others, Moorhead’s 2025 switch haul has respectable upside. So, too, may returnees like veteran quarterback Ben Finley, 6-foot-7 defensive finish Bruno Dall, linebacker Shammond Cooper (injured in 2023) and junior nook Elijah Reed.
Akron is a projected favourite in solely three video games however is a projected one-score underdog in 5 others — overachieving towards projections just a bit might make this a good season, even when bowling is already off the desk.
Head coach: Mike Uremovich (first 12 months)
2025 projection: 134th in SP+ (123rd offense, 131st protection), 3.4 common wins, 2.5 convention wins
After the sluggish rise and equally sluggish fall of the eight-year Mike Neu period, Mike Uremovich takes the reins at BSU. The NIU grad and former Temple and NIU offensive coordinator is aware of the MAC and has crafted success from restricted Midwestern assets at each NAIA’s St. Francis (Illinois) and FCS’ Butler. His 2024 Butler group ranked thirty fifth in SP+, simply the very best within the non-scholarship Pioneer Convention.
Uremovich’s offense is mostly constructed round adapting to participant strengths, and the first power of his 2025 Cardinals may be versatility. Senior quarterback Kiael Kelly is a greater athlete than passer, and operating again switch Qua Ashley (Kennesaw State) caught 28 balls out of the backfield final 12 months. Throw in slot man (and punt returner) Qian Magwood and 5-foot-8 Bucknell WR switch Eric Weatherly, and you have a set of bouncy and versatile, if not significantly massive, skill-corps guys. They might even have the most important pair of tackles within the MAC with returnee Chris Hood (6-foot-10!) probably pairing with Butler switch Adam Dolan (6-foot-8), for no matter that is price.
Regardless of BSU’s defensive collapse, Uremovich saved coordinator Jeff Knowles in place, and with good cause: He was Uremovich’s DC at Butler in 2023. The defensive entrance returns disruptive choices in linebacker Joey Stemler and deal with Darin Conley, however a poor secondary has been overhauled. Uremovich introduced in 10 defensive transfers, however solely three are seniors — this may be a multiyear rebuild on D.
Head coach: Joe Harasymiak (first 12 months)
2025 projection: thirteenth in SP+ (119th offense, one hundred and thirty fifth protection), 3.5 common wins, 2.2 convention wins
It has been a fairly directionless FBS run for UMass. The Minutemen spent their first 4 FBS seasons within the MAC earlier than selecting independence over all-sports membership, however after 9 years and simply 18 wins, they’re again. At head coach, they’ve tried veteran retreads (Mark Whipple, Don Brown) and younger hotshots (Walt Bell), and nothing has generated traction. Now it is time to go Full Rutgers. Massachusetts native Joe Harasymiak takes over after three years as Greg Schiano’s defensive coordinator at RU. Schiano is the last word, obsessive “skip no steps” program builder, and one can see the attraction to such an strategy at UMass.
Harasymiak introduced in 34 transfers, however whereas a number of of them are seniors who might contribute rapidly — quarterback Grant Jordan (Yale), offensive lineman Mike Entwistle (Harvard), defensive finish Josh Nobles (Jackson State), linebacker Timmy Hinspeter (Rutgers), security Malcolm Greene (Virginia) — a number of the extra intriguing gamers on the roster are underclassmen.
Redshirt freshman quarterback AJ Hairston might fend off each Jordan and Utah switch Brandon Rose for taking part in time at QB, whereas transfers like operating again Rocko Griffin (UTSA), receiver Tyree Kelly (USF), deal with Malachi Madison (Virginia Tech), linebacker Nick Hawthorne (Boise State) and disruptive safeties Kendall Bournes (Harmony) and Zeraun Daniel (Georgetown) are all juniors or youthful.
That is going to take a while. UMass is a projected favourite in just one 2025 recreation, however hey, whenever you’ve averaged solely two wins per season in FBS, the bar for progress is terribly low.
Interim head coach: Mark Carney
2025 projection: 136th in SP+ (134th offense, 133rd protection), 2.8 common wins, 2.2 convention wins
If the bar is low at UMass, it is simply laying on the ground at Kent State. Beneath head coach Kenni Burns, the Golden Flashes went simply 1-23 in two seasons, but it surely’s really even worse than that: In my year-end, all-division SP+ rankings, they not solely ranked a distant final among the many 134 FBS groups, they ranked 227th general, behind 79 FCS groups and 14 Division II groups. They might have been nicely beneath common within the FCS’ Missouri Valley Soccer Convention. Hell, they’d have been fourth in D2’s GLIAC. This was an totally atrocious soccer group.
That simply means there’s nowhere to go however up, proper? Even with Burns getting dismissed at nearly probably the most awkward potential time of 12 months (mid-April) and offensive coordinator Mark Carney taking up as interim head coach, it may be virtually unattainable to be that dangerous once more.
I am not going to attempt to promote you on the deserves of transfers like quarterback CJ Montes (Fordham), offensive lineman Jamarcus Hill (Southeast Missouri), defensive finish Jamond Mathis (Southern Illinois) and defensive deal with Thomas Aden (Pitt) or genuinely respectable returnees like guard Dustyn Morell or nickelback Canaan Williams. I am simply going to notice that, with so many different MAC groups dealing with main turnover, Kent State might be shut sufficient to the remainder of the pack to win a recreation or two. And when the bar is about at “midtier GLIAC group,” it is fairly straightforward to possibly present an indication or two of progress.