Mid-American Conference Preview 2021
Our MAC preview 2021 notes that in the Group of Five this is presently the lowest rated conference. Still, there’s a lot of talent here. Unlike the Power Five and some of the higher-rated Mid-Majors, the MAC has fewer teams that are competitive enough to win a bowl berth. Of the 12 football teams in the Mid-American Conference, fifty percent are likely to play in a postseason contest. Here’s how we see the 2021 season unfolding for this league.
MAC Preview 2021 – Team Profiles and Standings
The big games start in the second week of the season, as Ball State plays at Penn State on Sep. 11. The Cardinals are 0-22-1 versus Big Ten teams. On Sep. 18, two of the teams that made it into the final AP Top 25 rankings meet, as Buffalo hosts Coastal Carolina. Rounding out the month, Toledo travels to Ball State to compete in the Glass Bowl. October sees Buffalo tested by Western Michigan (Oct. 2) and Ohio (Oct 16). These are must-wins for all teams. Also in the tenth month, Ball State plays two big contests, as they travel to Western Michigan (Oct. 9) and Miami (Ohio) visits the Cardinals (Oct. 23).
November is a huge month for the MAC. On November 2 Miami (Ohio) is at Ohio and on November 3 Central Michigan plays Western Michigan. Ohio has a two-game losing streak against Miami, while WMU has been in possession of the Victory Cannon for six of the last seven matchups. Central Michigan travels to play Ball State in a series that has these two teams at 26-26-1. As we head to the end of the season, Buffalo is at Ball State. The Bulls try to avenge their loss to the Cardinals in the 2020 MAC Championship game.
MAC East
In the East, the Ohio Bobcats and Kent State Golden Flashes are ready to battle for first place. At the same time, expect the Buffalo Bulls and Miami (Ohio) Redhawks to be competitive. On the other hand, the Akron Zips and Bowling Green Falcons are thin on both sides of the ball. We expect four-of-six teams from the East Division to be bowl bound.
1. Ohio Bobcats
Our MAC preview 2021 notes that last season this team played just three games, going 2-1. Each of the last five years, the Bobcats have enjoyed winning seasons. Plus, they’ve won their last three bowl appearances. Red shirt freshman Kurtis Rourke returns after completing 68.2 percent of his passes and tossing three TDs and no INTs. However, the starting spot could go to UNLV transfer Armani Rogers who also saw action with the Bobcats last season. Four top pass catchers, two wideouts and two tight ends, return, as do three offensive line starters. Virginia Tech grad transfer T.J. Jackson joins the front five and will make an immediate impact. Senior running back De’Montre Tuggle, who averaged 7.6 YPA and scored six times last season, is a major force.
Last season, the defense played well, allowing just 16.7 PPG. They had five picks in just three games and held opponents to a 34 percent conversion rate. DE Will Evans, who returns for his sixth season, is a premium player. Two starters join him upfront. The linebacking unit returns two starters, while the secondary is the best group on this side of the ball. Strong safety Jett Elad grabbed two picks and broke up two passes last season, while free safety Jamison Collier is back after leading the team in tackles.
2. Kent State Golden Flashes
The Golden Flashes have the stuff to compete with the Bobcats. In 2019, for the first time since 2012, Kent State earned a bowl berth after finishing 6-6. In the Frisco Bowl, they upset Utah State 51-41. Last season, the team went 3-1. QB Dustin Crum returns after completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 1,181 yards. He threw a dozen TD passes and two picks. Crum, a dual threat, averaged 5.5 YPA and scored four times. Along with having a premium quarterback, the Flashes are solid in the receiving corps. The rush attack features Marquez Cooper and Bryan Bradford. This group is four deep. All the starters on the O-line are back, including two All-MAC players.
Our MAC preview 2021 finds that Kent State is weak on defense and especially vulnerable when it comes to the front seven. They need to be better at stopping the run as well as in pressuring quarterbacks. Free safety Dean Clark, who led the team in tackles last season, anchors the secondary. Corner Elvis Hines, who had three PBU and one INT, is a premium defender.
3. Miami (Ohio) Redhawks
Like the Bobcats last season, the Redhawks played just three games, going 2-1. The 2019 MAC Freshman of the Year, QB Brett Gabbert, returns. He’s a fine pocket talent. Wideouts include highly productive senior Jack Sorenson and Penn State transfer Mac Hippenhammer. Senior Jaylon Bester, who missed last season but in 2019 rushed for 741 yards and 14 TDs, anchors the ground game. Although the O-line returns two starters from 2019 and 2020, the front is thin. On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is the best unit. The group includes two top defensive ends and All-MAC performers, Kameron Butler and Lonnie Phelps. MLB Ryan McWood, who recorded a team-best 99 and 34 tackles in 2019 and 2020 respectively, leads the linebacking unit. Safety Mike Brown is a pick artist, while Sterling Weatherford, the other safety, is a top defender.
4. Buffalo Bulls
Our MAC preview 2021 notes that last season the Bulls finished with a 6-1 record, topping the East Division. They earned a trip to the Camellia Bowl where they beat Marshall 17-10. That marked Buffalo’s third bowl appearance in three years. Junior QB Kyle Vantrease is an efficient and accurate passer who also possesses running chops. Last season, he tossed seven TD passes and scored four on the ground. The receiving group lacks experience. However, the Bulls have a top-notch ground tandem that has Kevin Marks leading the effort. Last season, he averaged 6.6 YPA while scoring seven times. All-MAC center Mike Novitsky is the anchor of a very experienced and strong O-line.
The defense includes nine players who return with starting experience. All-MAC MLB James Patterson returns. He led the team last season with 63 tackles, while also recording one TFL, two PBU, and one INT. In front, DE Eric Black has huge sack potential, while veteran safety Tyrone Hill serves as the lynchpin for the secondary. The last two seasons, the Bulls have led the MAC in total defense.
5. Akron Zips
The Zips have struggled the past three seasons winning a total five games and losing 25. Last year, they were 1-5. Akron scored 17.2 PPG while the defense allowed 41.3 PPG. A total of 10 starters return on offense and eight on D. The best part of the offense is the ground game, which is led by running back Teon Dollard. Last season, the first-team All-MAC player averaged 111 yards per game while earning 5.9 YPA and scoring six times. The QB position is unsettled; however, a solid receiving unit of three starters returns. Can this unit find a playmaker? The entire starting O-line is back, but they must play better.
Junior ILB Bubba Arslanian, a second-team All-MAC honoree, anchors the D. Last year, he led the nation with 7.8 solo tackles and 12.3 total tackles per game. Corner A.J. Watts, who recorded two INTs and two PBU last season, is the top-player in the secondary. OLB Julian Ricardson has fine potential. Eight starters are back on defense, but the big question is can this unit stop the run and shut down opponents in the red zone? Our MAC preview 2021 notes that their non-conference schedule includes Auburn and Ohio State.
6. Bowling Green Falcons
Last year, the Falcons were 0-5, as they scored just 11.4 PPG (126th Nationally) and allowed opponents 45 PPG (126th Nationally). Those rankings are out of 127 teams. Three starters are back on offense. In 2020, QB Matt McDonald, a junior, completed 43.9 percent of his passes, tossing one TD and six picks. Freshman wideout Tyrone Broden, who had six catches last season, returns to lead the MAC’s youngest receiving unit. Last year, running back Terion Stewart averaged 8.0 YPA and scored four times. He was this team’s offensive highlight. The O-line is very thin.
Seven starters are back on defense. WLB Darren Anders, who led the Falcons with 55 tackles and 4.5 TFL, is the anchor on D. Corner Diata Burns, who recorded two PBU and two TFL, has solid skills. The bottom line for the Bowling Green defense is returning players must step up and perform at a much higher level than they did last season.
MAC West
Three teams definitely have a shot at the West Division title. Of the three, our MAC preview 2021 likes the Western Michigan Broncos. After that, we see the Toledo Rockets or the Ball State Cardinals possibly making it to the MAC championship contest. After that, it’s the Central Michigan Chippewas, Eastern Michigan Eagles, and Northern Illinois Huskies. We don’t expect any teams from this trio to earn a bowl berth, but if any of those longshot teams do have a chance of making it into the postseason, it would be the Chippewas.
1. Western Michigan Broncos
Last season, the Broncos went 4-3. Over the past four seasons, their record stands at 23-22. This season could be close to a repeat of 2016 when they were 12-0. QB Kaleb Eleby returns after tossing 18 TD passes, two picks, and rushing for four more scores. Eleby is a quality player and solid decision maker. Although the receiving unit loses D’Wayne Eskridge, the rest of the pass catching corps returns. Western Michigan also brings one of the MAC’s best ground attacks to the field. La’Darius Jefferson averaged 5.6 YPA last season and scored five times. Sean Tyler was good for 6.6 YPA and two TDs. They’re a solid one, two punch. Both are also fine receivers. Overall, the Western Michigan O-line looks sound.
The Bronco defense must be stauncher. Last season, they allowed 34.2 PPG. Three starters from last season’s frontline, Braden Fiske, Ralph Holley, and Ali Fayad, are back after recording 9.5 sacks and 11 TFL. The linebacking unit, which is led by senior A.J. Thomas, is the weakest group on this side of the ball. Thomas, who’s the top returning tackler with 46, also recorded two sacks, seven TFL, and one INT. The secondary includes All-MAC strong safety Bricen Garner. Last season, he posted 45 tackles, three TFL, and four PBU. With Michigan and Pittsburgh on the schedule, a perfect season is unlikely.
2. Toledo Rockets
Our MAC preview 2021 finds that the biggest concern for this team on offense is at quarterback. Starter Eli Peters retired due to injuries. The likely replacement is sophomore Carter Bradley, who’s had a few starts. Last season, he tossed nine TDs and five picks. He does have the top receiving unit in the conference, which includes Isaiah Whitehead (25 REC, 3 TDS) and Bryce Mitchell (13 Rec, 4 TDs). The rush arrack includes Bryant Koback and Micah Kelly. Koback led the way last season with 123 carries, 522 yards, and four scores. All five starters return to the line, including Freshman All-American tackle Nick Rosi and two-time All-MAC center Bryce Harris.
The Toledo defense allowed 24.3 PPG (3rd MAC, 36th Nationally) and 363.2 YPG (2nd MAC, 36th Nationally). Three-of-four starters are back upfront. On the line, Jamal Hines (29 TKLs, 2 SCKs, 2.5 TFL, 3 QBH) and Desjuan Johnson (25 TKLs, 3 SCKs, 5 TFL, 2 QBH) proved to be quality performers. All-MAC linebacker Dyontea Johnson, who topped the Rockets with 47 tackles, anchors the D. The secondary welcomes back four-of-five starters. CB Samuel Womack recorded seven PBU, while NB Chris McDonald posted four and SS Tycen Anderson three. However, there was not one pick amongst the trio.
3. Ball State Cardinals
Last season, Ball State went 7-1, took down the MAC title, and beat San Jose State 34-13 in the Arizona Bowl. This year, the Cardinals are solid in just about all parts of their offense except for running back. With RB Caleb Huntley and his 5.5 YPA and six TDs gone, we expect Tye Evans and Will Jones to share the ground attack duties. QB Drew Pitt returns. In 2020, Pitt threw for 2,164 yards. He accumulated 17 TD passes as well as four rushing scores. He tossed just four interceptions. The two top receivers from last season, Justin Hall (49 REC, 4 TDs) and Yo’Heinz Tyler (42 REC, 8 TDs), are back. Pitt and the Cardinal will enjoy having an experienced and skilled O-line. On this side of the ball, the line is its strength.
Although Ball State allowed opponents just 25.8 PPG (4th MAC, 43rd Nationally), they gave up a whopping 293.6 passing YPG (11th MAC, 118th Nationally). Interesting to note that their 10 INTs, led the conference. Two-of-three starters return upfront, while three-of-four linebackers also come back. The 2020 MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, middle linebacker Brandon Martin, is the leader on D. Martin topped the Cardinals with 90 tackles and 5.5 TFL. Two other All-MAC honorees fill out the LB unit. Safeties Brett Anderson II and Bryce Cosby had two picks and five PBU each last season.
4. Central Michigan Chippewas
In 2018, the Chippewas recorded one win and 11 loses. Over the past two seasons, they went 11-9, including a 3-3 record last season. Our MAC preview 2021 notes that Washington transfer QB Jacob Simon joins the team. It’s hoped he will be an upgrade over last season’s signal callers. Simon has an excellent receiving unit to throw to, as the top six pass catchers from last season are back. In addition, running backs Lew Nichols III and Kobe Lewis return. In 2020, Nichols averaged 6.5 YPA while scoring four times, and Lewis was good for 4.5 YPA and six TDs. Four starters occupy the line. They’re a sound group.
It’s hoped that CMU can hold opponents to under what they allowed in last season, 30.2 PPG. All-MAC defensive end Troy Hairston II is back after recording 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6.5 TFL, and three QBH. He’s the leader in front. The two top tacklers from last season, LBs Troy Brown (45 TKLs) and George Douglas (42 TKLs), return. Brown added 4.5 sacks, 3.5 TFL, and 3.0 PBU. The secondary is loaded, as cornerback and former Iowa State transfer Richard Bowens III proved to be a prime contributor and leader last season.
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles
Last year, the Eagles averaged 33.2 PPG and allowed 36.0 PPG. QB Preston Hutchison returns after tossing 12 TD passes and rushing for eight more scores. He also threw a half-dozen interceptions. However, Cincinnati graduate transfer Ben Bryant will compete for the starting quarterback spot. The receiving unit returns the top two pass catchers, Tanner Knue (27 REC, 4 TDs) and Hassan Beydoun (40 REC, 0 TDs). Darius Boone leads the rush attack. Last season, he averaged 5.8 YPA and ran for two scores. The offensive line, which is top notch, is anchored by All-MAC guard Sidy Sow.
The Eastern Michigan defense must step up. They return 11 starters, including senior DE Turan Rush who notched 4.5 sacks. The LB group includes last year’s top tacklers, Terry Myrick (67 TKLs, 4.5 TFL, 2 PBU) and Tariq Speights (52 TKLs, 2.5 TFL). All-MAC corner Alvinoski LaFleur leads the deep backs. The group lacks depth and is problematic.
6. Northern Illinois Huskies
Our MAC preview 2021 notes that last season this team went 0-6. They scored just 24.8 PPG and gave up 38.7 PPG. Michigan State transfer Rocky Lombardi, who last season threw for 1,090 yards and eight TDs for the Spartans, comes in to run what can best described as a lethargic offense. Top receiver Tyrice Richie (53 REC, 4 TDs) leads what is a thin group. The running backs are overall sound but lack game-changing chops. The offensive line is questionable.
The D-line returns three-of-four starters. Defensive ends Pierce Oppong and Raishein Thomas have huge potential and tackle James Ester ably hassles quarterbacks and runners. The deepest and most talented group is the linebacking unit. In the secondary, safety Jordan Hansen is a major talent. Last season, he recorded 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one PBU, and two INTs.
2021 Bowl Matchups
Arizona Bowl: Western Michigan vs Nevada
Bahamas Bowl: Ball State vs Western Kentucky
Camellia Bowl: Ohio vs Appalachian State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Miami vs Fresno State
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kent State vs Georgia State
Quick Lane Bowl: Toledo vs Northwestern
MAC Preview 2021 – Final Thoughts
As we noted earlier in this MAC Preview 2021, the East Division will be a battle between Ohio and Kent State. At the same time in this division, Miami (Ohio) and Buffalo will be competitive. The West Division will be even tighter. Western Michigan, Toledo, and Ball State will all be in the hunt. Also, Central Michigan could be a spoiler.