The Mid-America Conference Football, also known as the MAC Football is already on the way. as the 2022 version will kick off on September 1. Here is every necessary information about the MAC Football 2022 tournament.
| HOW TO WATCH | ||
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JULY 26- 2022 |
TV Channel: ESPN and CBS |
TIME 6.00 PM/ET |
| WATCH LIVE FROM HERE | ||
Preview:
Following an original decision to postpone the start of the football season due to the wide spread of the coronavirus, the Mid-America Conference has resumed play as of this week.
The new season will begin with several midweek games that will be broadcast live during primetime on Wednesday.
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) will use winning percentages as the deciding factor for divisional tiebreakers since the coronavirus could compel the conference to postpone games.
After that, they will move on to the results of the individual matchups. In the event that it was necessary, MAC would utilize its standard procedure to break the tie.
The 2021 conference season was won by Kent State in the East Division, while Northern Illinois won the West Division.
MAC Football 2022 Schedule:
The tournament will start on Thursday, September 1. In the first game, St. Francis (PA) will be playing against Akron. The tournament will come to an end on December 3 with the finals.
You will find the fixture of the tournament here:
Thursday, Sept. 1
- St. Francis (PA) vs Akron
- CMU vs Oklahoma State
- LIU vs Toledo
- Ball State vs Tennessee
- Eastern Illinois vs NIU
Friday, Sept. 2
- Eastern Kentucky vs EMU
- WMU vs Michigan State
Saturday, Sept. 3
- Buffalo vs Maryland
- Bowling Green vs UCLA
- Florida Atlantic vs Ohio
- Miami (Ohio) vs Kentucky
- Kent State vs Washington
Saturday, Sept. 10
- Ohio at Penn State
- South Alabama at CMU
- WMU at Ball State
- Akron at Michigan State
- EKU at Bowling Green
- Holy Cross at Buffalo
- Robert Morris at Miami (Ohio)
- EMU at Louisiana
- Kent State at Oklahoma
- NIU at Tulsa
- UMass at Toledo
Saturday, Sept. 17
- LIU at Kent State
- Cincinnati at Miami (Ohio)
- Buffalo at Coastal Carolina
- Bucknell at CMU
- Murray State at Ball State
- Ohio at Iowa State
- Vanderbilt at NIU
- Marshall at Bowling Green
- Akron at Tennessee
- Toledo at Ohio State
- Pittsburgh at WMU
- EMU at Arizona State
Saturday, Sept. 24
- Kent State at Georgia
- WMU at San Jose State
- CMU at Penn State
- Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern
- Toledo at San Diego State
- Buffalo at EMU
- Akron at Liberty
- Ball State at Georgia Southern
- Bowling Green at Mississippi State
- NIU at Kentucky
- Fordham at Ohio
Saturday, Oct. 1
- UMass at EMU CMU at Toledo
- Bowling Green at Akron
- Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo
- Ohio at Kent State
- NIU at Ball State
- New Hampshire at WMU
Saturday, Oct. 8
- Akron at Ohio
- Ball State at CMU
- Toledo at NIU
- Buffalo at Bowling Green
- Kent State at Miami (Ohio)
- EMU at WMU
Saturday, Oct. 15
- Ohio at WMU
- CMU at Akron
- NIU at EMU
- Kent State at Toledo
- Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green
- UConn at Ball State
- Buffalo at UMass
Saturday, Oct. 22
- EMU at Ball State
- NIU at Ohio
- Toledo at Buffalo
- WMU at Miami (Ohio)
- Akron at Kent State
- Bowling Green at CMU
Saturday, Oct. 29
- Toledo at EMU
- Miami (Ohio) at Akron
Tuesday, Nov. 1
- Ball State at Kent State
- Buffalo at Ohio
Wednesday, Nov. 2
- CMU at NIU
- WMU at Bowling Green
Tuesday, Nov. 8
- Ball State at Toledo
- EMU at Akron
- Ohio at Miami (Ohio)
Wednesday, Nov. 9
- NIU at WMU
- Buffalo at CMU
- Kent State at Bowling Green
Tuesday, Nov. 15
- Bowling Green at Toledo
- Ohio at Ball State
Wednesday, Nov. 16
- EMU at Kent State
- WMU at CMU
- Miami (Ohio) at NIU
Saturday, Nov. 19
- Akron at Buffalo
Tuesday, Nov. 22
- Ball State at Miami (Ohio)
- Bowling Green at Ohio
Friday, Nov. 25
- CMU at EMU
- Toledo at WMU
Saturday, Nov. 26
- Akron at NIU
- Kent State at Buffalo
Saturday, Dec. 3
- MAC Football Championship Game
How to Live Stream and Watch MAC Football 2022 on TV?
The tournament will broadcast on different TV channels. ESPN will be airing most of the matches of the tournament including the final. You will be able to watch the MAC Football live stream on ESPN+.
CBS has brought the right to broadcast a handful amount of games of the MAC Football 2022 on their channel. ABC, SECN, BTN, and Fox Sports are some other places, where some of the matches will be broadcasted.
Teams and Coaches:
| Team | Head Coach |
| Akron | Joe Moorhead |
| Ball State | Mike Neu |
| Bowling Green | Scot Loeffler |
| Buffalo | Maurice Linguist |
| Central Michigan | Jim McElwain |
| Eastern Michigan | Chris Creighton |
| Kent State | Sean Lewis |
| Miami | Chuck Martin |
| Northern Illinois | Thomas Hammock |
| Ohio | Tim Albin |
| Toledo | Jason Candle |
| Western Michigan | Tim Lester |
MAC Football Standings:
This standings will update regularly.
MAC Football 2022 Predictions:
East Division
1. Miami (Ohio)
Led by junior quarterback Brett Gabbert (2,648 yards and 26 TDs), the RedHawks should be the favorite in the East Division and return to the conference title game for the first time since ’19. Gabbert won’t have his favorite ’21 target in Jack Sorenson, but Mac Hippenhammer and Jalen Walker are back on the outside. Also, the RedHawks return a cast of experienced running backs, and four starters return to form one of the league’s top offensive lines.
Coach Chuck Martin’s defense brings back six starters from a unit that allowed the fewest points per game (22.0) in MAC contests last fall. However, coordinator Bill Brechin has holes to fill with the departure of ends Lonnie Phelps, Ben Kimpler and Kameron Butler, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and defensive backs Sterling Weatherford and Cedric Boswell. The home date against Kent State on Oct. 8 should decide the winner of the MAC East.
2. Kent State
Quarterback Dustin Crum will be missed, but his departure isn’t expected to keep Kent State from contention in the MAC this year. Junior Collin Schlee impressed in limited snaps last season and is expected to replace Crum, inheriting a high-powered offense (33.0 points a game) and a strong collection of skill talent. The Golden Flashes return running backs Marquez Cooper (1,205 yards) and Xavier Williams (812) and receivers Dante Cephas (82 catches) and Ja’Shaun Poke (26). Replacing three starters along a line that allowed 40 sacks last year is the biggest concern on offense for coach Sean Lewis.
Kent State’s defense has been an issue in recent years and surrendered 37.6 points and nearly six yards (5.98) per snap in MAC contests in ’21. Addressing a porous run defense (205.9 yards a game last year) is the top priority for new coordinator Jeremiah Johnson. The non-conference schedule features games against Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia. Surviving those three September matchups and finding a few answers on defense would set up Kent State for another run at the conference title.
3. Bowling Green
Scot Loeffler is just 7-22 in his tenure at Bowling Green, but the Falcons might be on the cusp of a breakthrough season. An experienced roster (17 returning starters) returns from a squad that went 4-8 and lost one-score games to eventual division champs Kent State and Northern Illinois. If Loeffler’s team is to have that breakthrough year, the defense has to lead the way.
End Karl Brooks, linebacker Darren Anders, cornerback Davon Ferguson and safety Jordan Anderson headline a strong, talented foundation for coordinator Eric Lewis. However, this group surrendered 36 points a contest in MAC play and had issues (187.8 yards) against the run. An offense with nine returning starters seems poised for a step forward after averaging only 21.4 points per matchup last fall.
Quarterback Matt McDonald (12 TDs to 7 INTs) is back, along with a collection of promising skill players, including running back Terion Stewart, tight end Christian Sims and receivers Tyrone Broden and Austin Osborne. Loeffler also hopes that Memphis transfer Jakari Robinson adds much-needed stability to a unit that allowed 39 sacks last year. Both Miami and Kent State visit Doyt L. Perry Stadium this fall.
4. Ohio
Replacing Frank Solich in mid-July was a tough assignment for Tim Albin in his first year as head coach. With a full and normal offseason, the hope is for Albin to lead the Bobcats to big improvement after a 3-9 mark – the program’s lowest win total in a full season since ’03. A return to a winning record will require improvement out of an offense that averaged 22.6 points a game and struggled with turnovers, third-down offense and coming up with big gains.
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke (212.8 total yards a game) has to play better, and Ohio needs a new No. 1 running back to emerge with De’Montre Tuggle departing. Finding more targets at receiver and getting better play up front are two other priorities for Albin. New coordinator Spence Nowinsky has work to on a defense that allowed 6.0 yards per play and 27.9 points a game in MAC contests last fall.
Nine starters are back, but this unit ranked near the bottom of the conference in pass efficiency defense and seventh against the run. Considering the level of experience returning, this unit may need to lead the way until the pieces fall into place on offense.
5. Buffalo
Taking over a program after spring practice is no easy assignment, so first-year coach Maurice Linguist should be graded on a curve after he replaced Lance Leipold following his departure to Kansas in late April. However, improving off last season’s 4-8 mark for Linguist isn’t going to be easy. After losing a handful of players to the portal, the Bulls return only nine overall starters and have big concerns to address on both sides of the ball.
Buffalo did mitigate some of the departures to the portal with additions from the transfer ranks, including receivers Justin Marshall (Louisville) and Boobie Curry (Arizona), quarterback Cole Snyder (Rutgers) and a handful of pickups to bolster the offensive line (Nick Hartnett, Desmond Bessent and Sidney Walker) and the defense. Left tackle Gabe Wallace is the only returner up front, but the strength of the offense should be a ground game anchored by Ron Cook Jr. and Mike Washington.
Snyder and senior Matt Myers will battle to start at quarterback. Buffalo’s defense should be solid in the front thanks to the return of Athlon Sports’ All-MAC selections in linebacker James Patterson and linemen George Wolo, Max Michel and C.J. Bazile. Transfers Caleb Offord (Notre Dame), Jahmin Muse (Boston College) and Elijah Blades (Florida/Texas A&M) will aim to improve the secondary under new defensive coordinator Brandon Bailey.
6. Akron
The Zips are just 3-27 over the last three years, but the program took a big step towards improvement this offseason. The hire of former Mississippi State and Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead as the program’s new leader should have Akron more competitive in the MAC in short order. However, the Zips have some ground to make up after averaging only 20.3 points a game and allowing 37 in league games last fall.
Moorhead improved the roster with portal additions in quarterback Jeff Undercuffler (UAlbany), running back Cam Wiley (Minnesota), wide receivers Shocky Jacques-Louis (Pitt) and Alex Adams (LSU) and defenders Tim Terry (LB), KJ Martin (S), and Victor Jones and Curtis Harper (DL). Linebacker Bubba Arslanian’s return (missed eight games) is huge for a run defense that allowed nearly 250 yards (248.9) a game in ’21.
West Division
1. Northern Illinois
The Huskies were one of the most-improved teams in the nation last fall after going 5-13 in coach Thomas Hammock’s first two years at the helm. NIU picked up a win over a Power 5 opponent (Georgia Tech), defeated Toledo, and avenged a regular-season loss to Kent State with a convincing 41-23 victory in the MAC title game to win the conference crown. The Huskies did have some good fortune on their side (seven wins by one score), but this team brings back 17 starters and is likely to improve overall and overcome any regression in close victories.
Michigan State transfer quarterback Rocky Lombardi shined in his debut in DeKalb (236.1 total yards a game) and is back to anchor an offense that averaged 32.2 points a matchup last fall. Lombardi doesn’t lack for help in the supporting cast either. Northern Illinois returns one of the MAC’s top offensive lines, receiver Trayvon Rudolph and a deep backfield led by Harrison Waylee and Antario Brown. Repeating as a conference champion is never easy, but the path to another crown needs improvement on defense.
Last year’s unit gave up 33.7 points a game, ranked 11th against the run and 10th in pass efficiency defense. Also, the Huskies surrendered 38 plays of 30-plus yards and struggled to establish a pass rush. With 11 returning starters, the experience should translate into better overall play in ’22. The Oct. 8 home matchup against Toledo should decide the MAC West crown.
2. Toledo
The talent on the roster hasn’t quite matched success at Toledo in recent years. The Rockets are just 24-20 over the last four seasons and went 7-6 last fall with five losses in one score games. With a little better luck and slight improvement on both sides of the ball, coach Jason Candle’s squad could end up as the best in the MAC. Replacing running back Bryant Koback is the top priority for an offense that averaged 33.4 points a game and 6.6 yards per play last fall.
Quarterback Dequan Finn (2,549 total yards and 27 TDs) is a rising star under center. Also, the Rockets bring back four starters up front, along with receiver Devin Maddox (41 catches). Candle’s hire of Vince Kehres has paid big dividends for the defense over the last two years. Toledo allowed 6.6 yards per play and 32.2 points a game in ’19 but led the conference in fewest yards per play (4.8) and scoring defense (21.8) last year. This unit should rank near the top of the conference once again thanks to eight returning starters and experience at every level.
If Finn continues to develop under center, Koback’s production is replaced on the ground, and the Rockets find ways to close out games, a return to the MAC championship is within reach once again.
3. Central Michigan
The Chippewas finished 2021 by winning seven out of their last eight games, which included a 24-21 win over Washington State in the Sun Bowl. The only defeat in that stretch? A one-point defeat to eventual MAC champion Northern Illinois. Coach Jim McElwain’s squad has holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but this team has enough returning to make a run at the West Division title.
Running back Lew Nichols III (1,848 yards) powers an offense that averaged 32.3 points a game. Quarterback Daniel Richardson also returns, but the Chippewas must replace two standout offensive tackles – Luke Goedeke and Bernhard Raimann – and restock a receiving corps that lost two key playmakers in JaCorey Sullivan and Kalil Pimpleton. McElwain likely has greater concerns on a defense losing linebacker Troy Brown, defensive back Devonni Reed and lineman Troy Hairston II.
This unit was solid last fall (25.8 points a game allowed) but ranked ninth in the MAC in pass efficiency defense and struggled with big plays allowed (21 of 40-plus). Central Michigan won’t have to play one of the projected top two (Miami or Kent State) from the East but catches Northern Illinois and Toledo on the road this year.
4. Western Michigan
Restocking a high-powered offense (32.5 points a game) is the top offseason priority for coach Tim Lester. The Broncos lost quarterback Kaleb Eleby and receivers Skyy Moore and Jaylen Moore, along with three starters in the trenches from a unit that averaged 32.5 points a game last fall.
Jack Salopek, Stone Hollenbach and Mareyohn Hrabowski are battling for Eleby’s spot, and until the passing game is settled, Western Michigan should be able to lean on the one-two punch of Sean Tyler and La’Darius Jefferson (1,986 combined yards last season). Also, the receiving corps wasn’t completely wiped out, as Corey Crooms (44 catches) should push for all-conference honors.
Asking for more help out of a defense that returns seven starters and finished fourth in fewest points allowed (28.2) and fifth in yards per play allowed would also help the Broncos offset quarterback concerns early in the year. Linebacker Corvin Moment (68 tackles) is among the MAC’s top returning defenders.
5. Eastern Michigan
Chris Creighton continued to do one of the more underrated coaching jobs in college football, guiding Eastern Michigan to its fourth bowl in six years in 2021. Getting back to the postseason starts under center. Troy (and former Missouri) signal-caller Taylor Powell steps into the starting quarterback role after ’21 starter Ben Bryant returned to Cincinnati.
Powell has plenty of pieces to work with around him, as the Eagles return arguably the best receiving corps in the MAC thanks to the return of Hassan Beydoun, Tanner Knue and Dylan Drummond. Five players with experience are also back along an offensive line that allowed 42 sacks last fall. Although the strength of this unit is on the outside, more balance on offense is needed after EMU averaged just 2.96 yards per carry in MAC games last season. Creighton’s defense has room to improve after giving up 29.5 points and 6.2 yards a snap in MAC games in ’21. Five starters – including end Jose Ramirez (6.5 sacks) – return this fall. Addressing the run defense (197.7 yards a game) is a priority, while the Eagles finished third in the conference in pass efficiency defense last season.
6. Ball State
The Cardinals are 13-8 and have made back-to-back bowl trips, but coach Mike Neu’s squad has question marks to address in order to reach six victories once again. The biggest among them is at quarterback. John Paddock is the front-runner to replace three-year starter Drew Plitt under center, but the senior has attempted only 34 passes since ’18. Overall, the offense has room to improve after averaging only 5.24 yards per play in MAC games and 24.1 points a contest over the entire year. If Paddock (or another QB) settles under center, there’s a lot to like about the skill talent, which includes running back Carson Steele and receivers Yo’Heinz Tyler and Jayshon Jackson.
Also, five starters and plenty of experience is back up front. The Cardinals allowed only 24 points in MAC games last fall and return six starters for rising star coordinator Tyler Stockton. Clayton Coll and Brandon Martin lead a solid linebacker unit, and cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II is a second-team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports for ’22. However, three starters must be replaced in the secondary.
- MAC Championship: Northern Illinois over Miami (Ohio)
Final Words:
MAC Football 2022 offers the world some of the best NCCA Football players and teams. The teams with the best strategy and performers take the trophy home. You will also see some potential stars who will be leading football in the future. So, if you are a football fan, watch the tournament live.
