No team has repeated as the champion in the MAC since Northern Illinois did so in 2011-12. And to be even more specific, no team that’s currently in the MAC has won back-to-back championships since Central Michigan in 2006-07.
But Western Michigan has a good chance of doing that this year.
After starting 0-3, head coach Lance Taylor and the Broncos only lost one more game all of last year. After losing to Miami (Ohio) during the regular season, WMU got its revenge with a 23-13 win over the RedHawks in the conference championship.
And the Broncos return a plethora of players from last year’s team. They should be exceptionally physical up front with a number of playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Western Michigan Season Preview
Western Michigan has arguably the most loaded offensive line in the Group of Six this year. The Broncos also bring back a quarterback and running back who are stars in the G6 as well as a loaded secondary.
Broc Lowry Back At Quarterback
Western Michigan returns quite an accomplished signal caller in 2026.
Broc Lowry, a Group of Six Preseason All-American, is back after leading the Broncos to a MAC title and a win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The MAC Offensive Player of the Year threw for 1,803 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on a 63% completion rate while rushing for 963 yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore last year.
Lowry’s abilities to run and pass are integral to WMU’s offensive identity.
Western Michigan’s Star-Studded Offensive Line
Western Michigan was third in the MAC with 24.9 points per game scored in part because the Broncos were great at running the ball. And they return their leading rusher from last year.
Jalen Buckley, another G6 Preseason All-American, ran for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 75 yards and another TD a season ago. He goes into his senior season with 2,716 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground in his career.
His production last year was possible in no small part because of WMU’s offensive line. And the team brings back tackle Chad Schuster as well as guards Hunter Whitenack and Gavin Dabo – all of whom started most of the Broncos’ games last season – and center Jeremy Schleicher, who was WMU’s Day 1 starter last year until he was hurt. Schuster is a G6 Preseason All-American and a first-team All-MAC selection.
Baylin Brooks returns at wide receiver for the Broncos after catching 27 passes for 372 yards, the second-most on the team in 2025.
Western Michigan’s Strength On Defense
Western Michigan was second in the MAC in terms of total defense (305.5 yards per game allowed) and scoring defense (17.4 points per game allowed). And, yes, MAC Defensive Player of the Year Nadame Tucker is gone. But there’s still plenty of talent back for this team.
Cornerback Jarvarius Sims is WMU’s leading returning tackler. He recorded 64 tackles, three tackles for loss and four pass breakups last season.
WMU’s secondary should be solid this year. Josh Franklin is also back at cornerback after racking up 53 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 10 pass breakups in 2025. And Micah Davis returns at safety after adding 60 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception.
Domanick Moon is one of WMU’s top returners at linebacker after recording 23 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery last season.
Up front, WMU added defensive end Scoop Gardner Jr., who thrived at FCS Long Island last season. Dakari Frazier also returns after recording 10 tackles and one sack a season ago.
Western Michigan’s 2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Michigan
- 9/12 vs. Monmouth
- 9/19 at Rice
- 9/26 vs. Boise State
- 10/3 at Buffalo
- 10/10 vs. Kent State
- 10/17 at Central Michigan
- 10/24 at Toledo
- 10/31 vs. Bowling Green
- 11/10 at Akron
- 11/17 vs. Eastern Michigan
- 11/24 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Bold indicates MAC contests
Western Michigan’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Western Michigan’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +360, via BetMGM. Miami (Ohio) is the favorite at +350.
WMU’s odds of making the College Football Playoff are +8000.
Western Michigan’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Western Michigan’s win total Over/Under is 7.5
- The Under is at -175
- The Over is at +145
Western Michigan Season Prediction
I predict Western Michigan will win the MAC Championship and will go Over 7.5 wins.
I think this is possible even considering how tough the Broncos’ non-conference schedule is. I could see WMU losing all of its games before October except for Monmouth at home. That game at Rice could be very close, though.
But even accounting for a 1-3 record before MAC play, I could see the Broncos winning seven league games during the regular season. It helps that they get to face Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green and Kent State at home.
Back-to-back road trips to Toledo and Central Michigan will be challenging, so I predict WMU will split those games. But I think the Broncos are capable of winning every other conference contest.
Which would likely mean WMU is back in the conference championship. And considering how tough this team will be up front, I like WMU’s chances of repeating in the MAC.
