Walking around Ford Field for the 2025 MAC Football Kickoff, there were two obvious realities striking at once.
The Mid-American Conference represents all the things classic college football fans love: tradition, student athleticism, rivalry and sportsmanship.
The second? A looming tension resting over the entire event.
Changing landscape
College football has gone through many chaotic changes in the last few years and smaller conferences like the MAC are feeling the repercussions of that change.
In the new world of NIL and Super Conferences, conferences like the MAC are feeling the pressure as players use the portal to go to bigger teams. This is something commissioner Jon Steinbrecher says isn’t new for the conference.
“I don’t know that it’s changed from where we were a decade ago,” he said. “We’re always working on thin margins, and yet somehow, some way we figure out ways to do it.”
While the MAC has a long and historic tradition they are keeping alive, that doesn’t mean they are not evolving. The conference did away with their East and West divisions last year leaving the best two teams in conference play to face off in the MAC Championship Game. The UMass Minutemen return to the conference after leaving in 2015. This year also marks the final year Northern Illinois University will play in the MAC as they head next year to the Mountain West Conference. The conference will also see six new head coaches this season: Mike Uremovich (Ball State), Eddie George (Bowling Green), Matt Drinkall (Central Michigan), Joe Harasymiak (UMass), Mark Carney (Interim, Kent State) and Brian Smith (Ohio).’
MACtion
In the midst of this game of musical coaches/players/teams, the “MACtion” the conference will bring to college football this season is not to be missed. Last season, the rivalry between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami Redhawks was one of the more entertaining storylines in all of the sport. After falling to the Redhawks in the Battle of the Bricks in week 8, the Bobcats got their revenge by winning the MAC Championship for the first time in a 38-3 beating in the rematch with Miami.
Both teams will be battling for the top of the conference with the Toledo Rockets, who are coming into the season with the most experienced and intact roster in the conference.
The three Michigan teams will look to have a better season as well. Eastern Michigan made headlines when NFL player, and EMU alum, Maxx Crosby stepped in as general manager for the program. Coach Chris Crieghton, entering his 12th season with the program, will look to take a step forward after back-to-back losing seasons. Western Michigan is hoping sophomore quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckly can help them make headway in the conference. Former Army offensive coordinator Matt Drinkall takes over as head coach for the Central Michigan Chippewas, and will be hoping returning QB Joe Labas can stay healthy this season.
In the ever-changing world of college football, small conferences like the MAC have their charms and their troubles. But what they most definitely have is dedicated athletic directors, coaches, and student athletes that will provide an entertaining season for 2025.
