MAC Underrated Teams
The MAC will look different, but Northern Illinois could be the team that competes for a conference championship. Behind them is Toledo and the Michigans of the MAC (Eastern, Western, and Central). If the Huskies are for real, then the West belongs to them.
The East, however, is wide open. Ohio is the favorite, but don’t count out Buffalo. They have plenty of experience and lost by a touchdown to the Bobcats. Miami (Ohio) hopes their quarterback Gus Ragland stays healthy because he can give this team opportunities to win. Akron has the defense to cause trouble for most MAC teams. Is Bowling Green progressing at all? Can Ball State’s skill players and quarterback turn this team around?
The Power 5 teams, ranked teams, and bowl-eligible teams weren’t kind to the MAC and it may be similar this season, but expect the MAC games to be interesting. My two teams are Buffalo and Northern Illinois. They came up short in some of their games last season, but their improved roster should help them improve and vie for a bowl spot.
BUFFALO
This East division is wide-open. Akron’s conference championship appearance last season may be a one-time thing. Ohio should be favored to win the division due to their winning consistency. Bowling Green has questions on whether they’ll bounce back at some point. When QB Gus Ragland is healthy, Miami (OH) is a winnable team. As for Buffalo, they could be the surprising team and possibly battle for the East division title. Having big 6-7 245 lb QB Tyree Jackson, standout wide receiver Anthony Johnson, and the 2nd Khalil on defense could make the Bulls a very sneaky team to watch out for. Last season, they haven’t lost by more than 10 points in their losses. It proves that they have a chance to do more with nearly all their starters returning. But they are a risky pick nonetheless.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The MAC has been wide open for some time after Northern Illinois’s slump. But they're showing the last two seasons show that they’re making their way back. They may have found their QB after one season. Marcus Childers is only a sophomore but he should be their guy moving forward. They also have most players returning, which should make them a threat in a tough West division. Their defense has a positive outlook with All-conference defensive end Sutton Smith. All their non-conference games may be a big slip up going into their conference, but they should have a chance at winning their division. If Northern Illinois can down Central and Western Michigan, and Toledo, they’re favorites in the conference championship.
