Looking At Bowl-Eligible Possibilities For MAC Football Teams

The MAC is having a wild race to the top. 

Miami (Ohio), at 4-0, is the only team unbeaten in conference play, but there are four 3-1 teams and three more at 2-2. The top eight teams all have four remaining MAC games. 

There is also another race – to see how many teams will become bowl-eligible.

The MAC is the only FBS conference (excluding the two-team Pac-12) in which there are zero bowl-eligible teams at the moment. That will obviously change, likely this week. Here is a look at the teams and my projections on whether they become bowl-eligible.

Miami (Ohio) (5-3, 4-0) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 4 at Ohio (5-3), Nov. 12 vs. Toledo (4-4), Nov. 19 at Buffalo (4-4), Nov. 29 vs. Ball State (3-5).

Outlook: This is a very difficult final schedule, but one win should be more than attainable, and Miami is looking for much more – a repeat appearance in the MAC Championship. 

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Central Michigan (5-3, 3-1) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 1 at Western Michigan (4-4), Nov. 12 vs. Buffalo (4-4), Nov. 19 at Kent State (3-5), Nov. 29 vs. Toledo (4-4). 

Outlook: There are no sure Ws in the final four games, but the Chippewas should be able to secure at least one more win. They could go 3-1 or 1-3 and it would not be surprising.

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Ohio (5-3, 3-1) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 4 vs. Miami (5-3), Nov. 11 at Western Michigan (4-4), Nov. 18 vs. UMass (0-8), Nov. 28 at Buffalo (4-4).

Outlook: This is another easy one to pick, especially with UMass in the next-to-last game. Plus, Ohio is looking for much more than to just become bowl-eligible. The defending MAC champs are eying another berth in the title game. 

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Buffalo (4-4, 3-1) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 1 at Bowling Green (3-5), Nov. 12 at Central Michigan (5-3), Nov. 19 vs. Miami (5-3), Nov. 28 vs. Ohio (5-3).

Outlook: Nothing comes easy for the Bulls, who have played six straight games that have been decided by eight points or fewer. Buffalo could go 0-4 or 4-0 and nothing would be surprising.

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Western Michigan (4-4, 3-1) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 1 vs. Central Michigan (5-3), Nov. 11 vs. Ohio (5-3), Nov. 18 at Northern Illinois (2-6), Nov. 25 at Eastern Michigan (2-7).

Outlook: It may come down to having to win the final two games on the road, which is certainly possible.

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Toledo (4-4, 2-2) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 5 vs. Northern Illinois (2-6), Nov. 12 at Miami (5-3), Nov. 22 vs. Ball State (3-5), Nov. 29 at Central Michigan (5-3).

Outlook: Toledo should go 2-2 against this schedule. 

Will they become bowl-eligible? Yes

Ball State (3-5, 2-2) Bowl Projection 

Remaining schedule: Nov. 5 vs. Kent State (3-5), Nov. 15 vs. Eastern Michigan (2-7), Nov. 22 at Toledo (4-4), Nov. 29 at Miami (5-3).

Outlook: The Cardinals are the only MAC team to beat Ohio, so that shows they can be competitive with anybody. Still, having to end the season at Toledo and Miami will be a difficult task.

Will they become bowl-eligible? No

Kent State (3-5, 2-2) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 5 at Ball State (3-5), Nov. 11 at Akron (3-6), Nov. 19 vs. Central Michigan (5-3), Nov. 28 at Northern Illinois (2-6).

Outlook: I could see Kent State going 2-2, but 3-1 will be difficult, although not impossible.

Will they become bowl-eligible? No

Bowling Green (3-5, 1-3) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 1 vs. Buffalo (4-4), Nov. 8 at Eastern Michigan (2-7), Nov. 18 vs. Akron (3-6), Nov. 25 at UMass (0-8)

Outlook: Bowl-eligibility might come down to the Akron game.

Will they become bowl-eligible? No

Northern Illinois (2-6, 1-3) Bowl Projection

Remaining schedule: Nov. 5 at Toledo (4-4), Nov. 12 at UMass (0-8), Nov. 18 vs. Western Michigan (4-4), Nov. 28 vs. Kent State (3-5). 

Outlook: It’s tough to see the Huskies winning the final four games.  

Will they become bowl-eligible? No