4 Teams In The Running To Win The MAC

The Mid-American Conference had a shortened season because of the pandemic last year. The season started in the first week of November, because the MAC was especially cautious among the various conferences playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. It’s a question being asked of all the conferences, but it especially applies to the MAC this year: How much, if anything, do the results from the 2020 season have to do with the performance of 2021 teams? Everyone will speculate and everyone will have an opinion, but the truth is that we really won’t know until the games begin. It could be that some teams in 2020 had their seasons completely derailed and might get back on track this year. It could be that the teams which thrived in 2020 benefited from the bad luck which fell upon other teams, and that 2020’s champions or runners-up will sharply regress this year. At any rate, using our best judgment, here are the four teams most likely to win the MAC championship in 2021:

Buffalo Bulls

The defending East Division champions have a strong returning core group. That is their obvious strength, particularly on defense. The Bulls do lose running back Jaret Patterson, however, a man who rushed for over 400 yards in one game last season. They also lose head coach Lance Leipold, regarded as one of the finest coaches in the country, to the University of Kansas. Not having Leipold could matter over the course of the season, but the talent base is too strong for Buffalo to fade significantly. The Bulls should be one of the two teams at the top of the MAC East standings at the end of the season.

Ohio Bobcats

The main contender to Buffalo in the MAC East could be Miami University, but Ohio has a better chance. The Bobcats are going to be uniquely motivated this year because longtime head coach Frank Solich, the most successful head coach in the history of the program, retired due to health concerns. The players and the coaching staff will want to make this year count, knowing Solich will be watching on a TV screen from home while he recuperates. Ohio brings back its starting quarterback and has one of the better, tougher defenses in the conference.

Toledo Rockets

Toledo was a consistent rival of Northern Illinois in the battle for the MAC West Division title for many years earlier this century. The Rockets are still a contender, while NIU has fallen off the pace and is expected to finish near the bottom of the division. Toledo allowed under 25 points per game in the shortened 2020 season, offering the Rockets ample encouragement that they can field another very strong defense this year.  

Ball State Cardinals

The Cardinals had a defense which was almost as strong as Toledo’s, allowing just under 26 points per game last season. Ball State’s offense was able to supplement what the defense did, averaging just over 34 points per game. Ball State won the MAC championship last year and then captured the first bowl victory in school history. If any MAC team has momentum heading into the start of the 2021 season, it’s Ball State.