Mar 26, 2018 – Spring Analysis Schedule Breakdown. Related 2018 MAC Football Weekly Schedule, Analysis & Ranking Top Games 5. Western Michigan Broncos. It was a disappointing first year under Tim Hiller – going 6-6 but not getting a bowl invite – and it’ll be a bit of a fight to be in the mix for the MAC. The 2020 MAC Football Schedule has been officially announced.Conference play begins on Saturday, Sept. 19 with NIU at Eastern Michigan. Featured non-conference games for each MAC team in 2020.
Several college football Spring games have been canceled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The highest profile Spring games canceled so far include Ohio State and Michigan. Their contests were scheduled for Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 18, respectively.
The only Spring game scheduled for this weekend, Portland State, has also been canceled. Additionally, the Ivy League announced on Wednesday their decision to “cancel all spring athletics practice and competition through the remainder of the academic year.”
More Spring games are likely to be either postponed or canceled in the coming days. We will update the list below as that information is announced.
CANCELED SPRING GAMES
ACC: All teams
American: Cincinnati, Memphis
Big Sky: Portland State
Big Ten: All teams (until April 6)
Ivy League: All teams
MAC: All teams
Mountain West: Nevada
Patriot League: All teams
TEAM ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED
ACC: All teams
Big 12: All teams (through March 29)
Big Ten: All teams (until April 6)
Independent: BYU, Notre Dame
MAC: All teams
Pac-12: All teams (through March 29)
The 2019 early rankings, depth chart lookaheads, and projections for the MAC.
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These can and will change after spring ball and going into the season, but for now, as a starting point, welcome to your pre-everything early ranking of all the MAC teams.
MAC EAST
6. Akron Zips
New head man Tom Arth needs to get the offense going, and he has the veteran quarterback in Kato Nelson, and he has the experienced receivers. The O line and running backs have to show up for a week ground game. S Alvin Davis is a good one, and LB John Lako is one of the MAC’s best, but six of the top eight and nine of the top 14 tacklers have to be replaced.
Final 2018 Record: 4-8 (2-6)
2018 MAC East Finish: T4
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 9
Biggest Issue To Fix: Rushing Offense
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Quarterback
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Defensive Line
5. Bowling Green Falcons
New head coach Scot Loeffler has the offensive pieces to play around with, starting with QB Jarret Doege. Leading receiver Scott Miller is gone, but enough decent targets are back to keep the passing game rolling. Four starters are back up front, and the running backs are in place. Cornerback is the early defensive concern, but the experience is in place on the front seven to hope for at least a little bit of production.
Final 2018 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
2018 MAC East Finish: T4
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 10
Biggest Issue To Fix: Run Defense
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Quarterback
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Cornerback
4. Kent State Golden Flashes
If experience matters, Year Two under Sean Lewis should be a whole lot stronger. QB Woody Barrett is back to try to keep the improvement in the O rolling. Everyone else is back, too, including the top three running backs, top four receivers, and all five starters up front. The D line needs a ton of retooling, but the back six should be better.
Final 2018 Record: 2-10 (1-7)
2018 MAC East Finish: 6
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 12
Biggest Issue To Fix: Pass Protection
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Offensive Line
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Defensive Line
3. Buffalo Bulls
It’s been a bad offseason after a lousy finish for UB. The Bulls lost QB Tyree Jackson early to the NFL, and WR KJ Osborn to Miami. The offensive line is full of talent and experience, but the hope is for Kyle Vantrease to shine in the quarterback gig. He’s got the running backs in Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks to take the heat off. The defense gets gutted in a few spots, losing Khalil Hodge from the linebacking corps and with six of the top nine tacklers gone.
Final 2018 Record: 10-4 (7-1)
2018 MAC East Finish: 1
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 2
Biggest Issue To Fix: Tackles For Loss
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Running Back
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Wide Receiver
2. Miami University RedHawks
It’ll be a bit of a fight to replace QB Gus Ragland, but the receivers are okay and the offensive line should be fine in time. The RedHawks have a few young backs to take over for Alonzo Smith – they just need more work. The secondary should be the early plus for the defense that loses LB Brad Koenig and four of the top seven tacklers. There’s enough depth, though, for the D to be okay with a little time.
Final 2018 Record: 6-6 (6-2)
2018 MAC East Finish: T2
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 6
Biggest Issue To Fix: Downfield Passing Game
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Defensive Back
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Linebacker
1. Ohio Bobcats
Nathan Rourke and the quarterback situation is amazing, but the top two receivers – Papi White and Andrew Meyer – are gone, and the top three running backs have to be replaced. The O line has to replace three starters, the defensive interior is starting over, and the linebacking corps needs some help. However, seven of the top 11 tacklers are back.
Final 2018 Record: 9-4 (6-2)
2018 MAC East Finish: T2
2018 Prespring MAC Conference Ranking: 3
Biggest Issue To Fix: Pass Defense
Biggest Depth Chart Positive: Quarterback
Biggest Depth Chart Negative: Running Back