MAC Preview, Part I: Could Buffalo Make It to the College Football Playoff?
Amidst so much turnover, the Buffalo Bulls appear ready to chase a title
Ah yes, welcome to all of our fellow CFB superfans who can’t wait for crisp Tuesday nights to descend upon us once again. When I first told my wife (brand new girlfriend at the time) that there was this amazing conference that played their league games on Tuesday nights, I genuinely thought she was going to tell me…
“Hey, you’re great but…this isn’t going to work.”
But she didn’t! By the time this comes out, in fact, we will have just celebrated our first trip around the sun as husband and wife together.
It’s possible, fellas. You can have it all!
But back to the #MACtion…Buffalo is going to be the runaway favorite in the group of teams you’ll read about here. Nearly every team in the conference is replacing their starting QB, and in many cases defensive production is more of a nice thought than a reality.
While the Bulls look like they could string a magical run together and get within striking difference of the CFP, teams like Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan might be closer to contending than you would originally think.
Ready for another wild ride in the MAC? Us too, enjoy part I!
Looking for our other previews? Find them below!
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Akron Zips
2024 in Review
There were positive steps for the Akron Zips during their 4-8 campaign a season ago. The offense improved from 130th (2023) to 120th thanks to Ben Finley somewhat stabilizing the QB position. The back-to-back wins over Kent State and, surprisingly, Toledo in overtime marked the first time the Zips had won in consecutive weeks since October 20th and 27th of 2018! In fact, as Bill Connelly notes, the 4-8 record looked like a parting of the Red Sea after the combined 7-47 record amassed between 2019-2023.
Key Storylines
What is Joe Moorhead’s legacy so far? Akron was always going to be difficult. Moorhead came over prior to the ‘22 season hoping to give the Zips an offensive identity. He’s somewhat done that, although it hadn’t produced results on the field until last season. The biggest challenge has been recruiting and keeping talent in Akron. Linebacker Antavious Fish (my personal favorite) will finish his career at Sam Houston State. WR Bobby Golden left for Louisville. LB Bryan McCoy is in Stillwater. DBs Darrian Lewis and Devonte Golden-Nelson headed for the country roads of WVU. You get the picture. Morehead went back to the portal to try and fill the holes, but it’s a challenging cycle that seems to be repeating itself.
What positives can Zips fans focus on? The hits kept on coming this spring when the NCAA announced that Akron’s academic scores had slipped below the threshold for post-season eligibility. Bowl season was always going to be a stretch (2017 was the last time Akron played in a bowl game…don’t look up how that went), but 2025 is officially a lost season before we’ve even kicked off. Still, maybe the real prize of the journey is the friends we made along the way? Ben Finley will conclude a lengthy career in Akron as QB1, and the defense welcomed talented transfers like S Mehki Flowers (Penn State). You know we’re rooting to see the turnover tire as many times as possible.
“Must watch” game
Akron won three of their four games at home last season. Why not start 2025 strong when they host the Wyoming Cowboys? Wyoming has plenty of their own questions coming into this season, so let’s see if the Zips can win their first home opener since 2022.
Ball State Cardinals
2024 in Review
The Mike Neu era drew to a frustrating conclusion following a 3-9 slog. Two conference wins in October, including a surprise victory over NIU in the battle for the Bronze Stalk, were the only highlights of a year that saw the Cardinals close on a brutal four game losing streak. 2024 made the MAC Championship of 2020 (and subsequent bowl win) feel like a lifetime ago. BSU then brought in Mike Uremovich from Butler as they look for a renaissance in Muncie.
Key Storylines
What does Uremovich’s offense look like? The FBS rookie has had plenty of success at the lower levels, winning at both the NAIA and FCS level. Most recently, Mike led Butler to a 9-3 record behind a potent (and multiple) offensive attack. Ball State could be right up his alley, then, considering a roster that has athleticism, but perhaps not size or polish. Kiael Kelly returns as QB1, and super athletes like Eric Weatherly (Bucknell) should make Ball State’s offense fun to watch. The offensive line received a boost with Adam Dolan (Butler) joining at tackle.
The defense can’t be much worse…right? To say the Cardinals played defense last year might be misleading. They finished 125th in total defense (over 450 yards per game allowed) and gave up a staggering 40.1 points per game. So how on earth did DC Jeff Knowles keep his job? Can you guess where he was before coming to Ball State? That’s right, Butler. Knowles led the Bulldogs to the 6th best total defense in ‘23, giving Uremovich the confidence to keep his old running mate on staff.
“Must watch” game
October concludes with a road trip to DeKalb for another edition of the Bronze Stalk. NIU is in even more of a state of flux than Ball State, so the Cardinals have a chance to make it four in a row over their rival Huskies.
Bowling Green Falcons
2024 in Review
The 7-6 record in 2024 for the Falcons simply doesn’t do the quality of their season justice. They took Penn State and Texas A&M to the wire in back-to-back weeks, and then reeled off a 5-game winning streak in the second half to reach the postseason. Scot Loeffler’s group played hard, tough-nosed football every week, eventually coming up just shy of an 8-win season with their bowl loss to Arkansas State. And then…Loeffler took a job as the QB Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles this past spring. Already faced with replacing QB1, most of their skill players, and 10 of 11 starters on the defense, you could say this was a tough blow for Bowling Green. You’d be right. But life is about the way you respond when it doesn’t go your way. The Falcons have done that by turning to…
Key Storylines
College Football Hall of Famer Eddie George is the new head coach. George raised some eyebrows when he took over Tennessee State a couple of years ago. Slowly, he rebuilt the program and turned them into a playoff team last year at the FCS level. He brings all of the traits you look for in a head coach, as well as some of the talented pieces from the Tigers. In a conference that is known for producing NFL coaches, will George be next up?
The offensive line will be the strength of the Falcons. Alex Padgett anchors the group at center, while both starting tackles from last year are back. In total, there are 75 starts over the past two seasons back on the roster. They’ll be blocking for Drew Pyne (yes, he’s still in school) and the new RB duo of Chris McMillian and Austyn Dendy (Mizzou). Finn Hogan (6’5, 220) is the best WR option the Falcons have, but they also welcomed TE Arlis Boardingham from Florida to replace Harold Fannin Jr, the greatest TE to ever play CFB (in our opinion).
It’s a whole lot of new faces on defense. As mentioned, 10 of 11 starters from 2024 are gone. Eriq George joins his dad in Bowling Green and brings his 12.5 TFLs with him. Collins Acheampong (UCLA) will also be featured up front. Who is that lone returner, you ask? Safety Darius Lorfils will lead a green, but talented group.
“Must watch” game
Bowling Green doesn’t have a slate of imposing non-conference games like they did last year. With Cincinnati, Liberty, and Louisville on the schedule, we’re curious to see if they can pick off any of those games early. The conference opener at Ohio could also be a strong measuring stick game.
Buffalo Bulls
2024 in Review
Pete Lembo’s first year in Buffalo was, simply put, fantastic. The Bulls had been on a rollercoaster of inconsistency, finishing 3-9 in 2023, 7-6 in 2022, and 4-8 in 2021. Sure, by that trend, last year was expected to be an upswing, but Lembo has fans believing that they can consistently contend for the MAC title. Winning your final five games, including a drubbing of Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl, will do that for you.
Key Storylines
Dealer’s choice at QB. Without a doubt, the biggest question mark about this Bulls team is at QB. Buffalo had six different guys in the mix this spring…SIX. Popular names are Ta’Quan Roberson (KState, UConn), Jack Shields, and Gunnar Gray. Lembo and OC Dave Patenaude have their work cut out for them once fall camp arrives, but it might be offset by the fact that…
Buffalo has the deepest backfield in the conference. If you love a good MACtion RB room, then Buffalo is your darling this season. All-MAC selection Al-Jay Henderson (1,000+ yards) will bat leadoff, while speedster Messiah Burch and Lamar Sperling mix in behind. Behind an OL that returns three starters, including 3rd Team All-MAC selections Trevor Brock and Tyler Doty. At receiver, Victor Snow is the leading returning, while Nik McMillian and Chance Morrow (6’6) round out the starters.
The defense is just about running back the 2024 group, which is extremely rare in the transfer portal era. There are over 18-combined years of experience for the starters along the defensive line thanks to sixth year George Wolo, senior Kobe Stewart and company. Behind them, the best LB group in the MAC is led by Buffalo legend Red Murdock. Murdock claimed a 1st Team All MAC honor thanks to a mind-blowing 156 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, and 7 forced fumbles. The secondary is also extremely deep and aided by ASU transfer Keontez Bradley.
“Must watch” game
Buffalo misses Toledo in their conference schedule, but they do play Ohio and Miami (OH). Still, Buffalo’s chance for a major statement comes in week one when they visit Minnesota. A talented running game plus an experienced defense on the road? Sounds like an upset might be brewing to us.
Central Michigan Chippewas
2024 in Review
Jim McElwain’s Chips started 3-2 after beating Ball State and San Diego State by a combined 4-points. And then the wheels fell off (again). The Chippewas only won a single game the rest of the year, beating Western Michigan in an ugly 16-14 game. They had close defeats to Ohio, EMU, and NIU, but also suffered blowouts at Miami (OH) and Toledo. What felt like a promising Central Michigan team last preseason ran out of gas and saw McElwain announce his retirement.
Key Storylines
Matt Drinkall brings an emphasis on the running game to Mt. Pleasant. Drinkall comes over from West Point where he was a co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. The Chips don’t have a great deal of returning production in the backfield, but Trey Cornist (Tulane) might be in line to take the lion’s share of the work. There’s only one returning starter on the offensive line, but there are several options (like Columbia transfer John Iannuzzi) that Drinkall has to plug and play.
For all of the new faces on offense, the defense brings back the majority of their playmakers. LB Jordan Kwiatkowski (2nd Team All-MAC) led the Chips in tackles last year. Three of four starting DBs from last year’s 32nd ranked pass defense are back as well. Elijah Rikard and Caleb Spann are primed for great seasons, and Kalen Carroll brings good size to one of the CB spots (6’1, 185).
“Must watch” game
Central Michigan is likely staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start with San Jose State, Pitt, and Michigan up first. Eastern Michigan comes to town at the end of September to open MAC play. A win over their in-state rival would get the conference schedule off to a promising start.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
2024 in Review
Speaking of EMU, Eastern Michigan seemed primed to make it to their fourth straight bowl game when they won five of their first seven. Just one win away, they proceeded to drop five in a row to Akron, Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo and Western Michigan…ouch. But never fear, EMU alum and NFL star Maxx Crosby came sprinting to the rescue. He will be serving as the assistant GM and helping run the NIL fund. With over 20 new transfers on campus, the Eagles and Chris Creighton have a lot to look forward to in 2025.
Key Storylines
Can EMU field a top 50 passing attack? Noah Kim is on his third stop in as many years after leaving Coastal Carolina (and Michigan State before that). Kim is the best passing threat that the Eagles have, but Cameron Edge (Maryland) is extremely mobile and will provide another option. All-MAC WR Terry Lockett Jr returns for his senior season alongside Nick Devereaux and Benson Prosper. Kentucky transfer Tanner Lemaster will start at tight end. Kim (or Edge) will certainly have options with which to matriculate the offense.
The Eagles would love to see their defensive numbers climb inside the top 75. They were in the bottom half of the country in every major category, but their passing defense did only allow 221 yards per game last season. EMU returns three starters from that group, including senior CB Joshua Scott. Syracuse transfer LB Kadin Bailey joins a solid group of backers in the middle, and EMU’s line is laden with seniors. There is definitely a path for progress on this side of the ball for Creighton and DC Ben Needham.
“Must watch” game
EMU opens conference play against in-state rival Central Michigan. The two teams gave us a thrilling 38-34 win in favor of the Eagles last season. If the offense can find their QB, EMU could be a team that pulls a few upsets down the stretch.
Kent State Golden Flashes
2024 in Review
2024 was…not great, Bob. Kent State went 0-12 and wasn’t even close to being competitive in the vast majority of their games…although they did nearly beat Ball State at home (37-35). The Golden Flashes have had talent in the past, but currently they’re a program in a major state of flux. Between QB injuries and a defense that was incapable of stopping any offense, Kent State’s season burned in port before ever setting sail. They elevated offensive coordinator Mark Carney to head coach by season’s end. There’s a chance it gets better in 2025, but it’s hard to feel confident about that.
Key Storylines
The Flashes offense actually has some weapons. For an 0-12 team breaking in a new head coach, the cupboards aren’t as empty as you might think. Jordan Nubin (Minnesota) certainly had his moments for the Gophers, including a 200+ yard performance against Michigan State. He’ll be backed up by Gavin Garcia who returns from injury. At WR, 3rd Team All-MAC selection Dashawn Martin has burners Wayne Harris and Jay Jay Etheridge for company. It’s a tiny group, (Martin is the tallest at 6’0), but they could be fun to watch. Fordham (and Florida A&M) transfer CJ Montes should run the ship at QB. He had some nice success for the Rams at the FCS level and will look to bring a spark to a Flashes offense that finished 133rd in scoring (13.9 ppg).
The defense should start by not giving up 45 points per game. The Golden Flashes couldn’t stop a nose bleed last year. Opponents gained over 260 yards PER GAME on the ground against them and totaled north of 515 (Both 133rd). The defense returns two of three starters, but Rocco Nicholl leaving for Tampa (USF) in the late spring wasn’t fun. It’s going to be four new faces along the defensive line, but perhaps a lighter line means they can be quicker to the passer. The secondary is led by Tevin Tucker at safety.
“Must watch” game
UMass! October 11th, the Golden Flashes host new (old) MAC foe UMass. They should beat Merrimack (maybe?) in the season opener, but if not, it looks like the Minutemen will be the best chance at a win.