Jul 196 min read

MAC Football Challengers Stack up Together for 2024 Season

There are about 5 days left until we officially get the college football season underway.

The Mid-American Conference and Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher were next to take the podium at MAC Media Day.

MAC Football Commissioner

Steinbrecher was asked what he thought about possibly adding a 14th team to the conference. He said that he would be more than comfortable with just 13 teams and not adding a 14th. Steinbrecher also talked about MAC players being drafted to the NFL.

He said that if players come to the conference and develop, then NFL teams should be able to get what they want from the MAC. Steinbrecher then talked about how the MAC is a competitive conference and has a low rate of being blown out in games. He also clarified that in this conference, 41.5 percent of their games are all decided by one score or less.

Ball State

Ball State coach Mike Neu followed Steinbrecher to the podium, talking about the Cardinals' hopes for their season.

"It's hard to believe football is right around the corner...we do have a lot of optimism and excitement," Neu said. "Talk is cheap...it's time to go work and...prove people wrong."

Neu had a lot of praise for defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles and his experience. Neu's staff used the Transfer Portal to bring in 5 new defensive linemen. In the defensive backfield, there is going to be a near-complete turnover.

Western Michigan

Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor offered his thoughts about the Broncos. Taylor said he knows that his team fell short of expectations last year, but beat both of their in-state rivals. "They know what the standard is...," Taylor said. "They're taking ownership of that."

The Broncos have 2 straight games against Big Ten powerhouses, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Taylor mentioned how his team is super excited for these games. He views them as key for their recruiting.

Central Michigan

Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain started his time at MAC Media Day praising fellow conference teams and their players.

"This is a fantastic conference," the Chippewas coach said. "The ideals, the way it's put together. Great coaches, great players. It's great to be part of the MAC." McElwain said that the last couple of seasons have been disappointing. He said that the team's motto for this season is "Play Through Struggles."

McElwain was asked what he thought about pod scheduling. "I just play the schedule, but I've got total trust in our commissioner," he said. "As long as you have those traditional rivalries—which make college football what it is—ultimately you gotta play 'em at some point...so what the heck, who cares?"

Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton is looking to motivate the Eagles this season. But he know that it starts by trying to build a better football program.

"We've beaten everyone in the league...but we haven't won a MAC championship," Creignton said. "That's what our guys are super-focused on, the last corner."

Creighton also said that pod scheduling to him was irrelevant. He said that finding out who the top 2 teams from the conference were is a topic of interest nearing the season's end..

Toledo

Toledo Rockets coach Jason Candle has some optimism heading into the season.

"I think every year, you go in with a little cautious optimism," Candle said. "As a coach, you don't really know what you'll get back, but you have blind faith."

Candle said the team has to replace its whole starting offensive line this year. But he pointed out that there are still 6 or 7 guys itching to get out there and be great players. Candle also said that he is lucky to have a stable coaching staff. He's been able to retain them while they also have good relationships with his players.

Akron

Akron Zips coach Joe Moorhead was pretty pointed in his MAC Media Day comments. "I don't believe in moral victories," Moorhead said. "But to a certain extent, you've got to measure a level of progress."

Moorhead said since he's been coach, Akron has had a lot of bad luck in 1-score games. He said the Zips need to be able to finish games. Moorhead likes that his defensive line returns some good players. He also feels confident in his secondary's depth.

Akron opens its season with Ohio State, South Carolina and Rutgers. Moorhead said, "The non-conference schedule... inflation must be going up because we have some bills to pay."

Kent State

Kent State Golden Flashes coach Kenni Burns called last year "a learning experience" for everyone.

Burns said that during the offseason, his coaching staff went back and rewatched every game and practice. They worked hard to figure out what was going wrong for them. Kent State finished 1-11 ovearll, 0-8 in MAC play

He said the Golden Flashes did not handle stress during the season very well and often fought with each other. But Burns believes his defense will lead the charge this season. There are some returning players and Burns believes defense wins championships.

Miami (Ohio)

Miami (Ohio) RedWings coach Chuck Martin talked up the pride players have to play there.

"Our kids play for Miami," Martin said. "They still love going to school in Miami, it's a great school academically...and socially. We're trying to hold on to that old-school feeling of...finding a home and... playing with your buddies for 4 years."

Martin told reporters that he thought it was impossible to be in Year 11 with Miami (Ohio). He jokes with his staff that it's the second time that he's been somewhere coaching a team for more than a decade.

Martin is looking ahead toward the upcoming season. "Running the ball, playing defense, not turning the ball over, playing good special teams," he said. "Through the history of football, it still wins."

Ohio

Ohio coach Tim Albin looks upon his team and its talent. "To win, it takes talent, but to do it consistently takes character," the Bobcats' coach said.

Albin also got to talk Ohio winning the Myrtle Beach Bowl, beating Georgia Southern 41-21. "The players and how they went about it, it was business like," he said. "They didn't flinch. It speaks to the program and the development of it."

Albin also said he has faith in his players on offense and defense to lead the way. A lot of them are returning starters. He added that you win games with play along the offensive and the defensive lines.

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock is keeping his eye on the Huskies' leadership.

"We have great leadership in the locker room," Hammock said. "We know there's going to be adversity that strikes at some point in time. How we handle that adversity is going to determine what type of team we're going to be."

Hammock pointed out his offensive line and how they rotated 10 players there last season. He wants to build at that position from the inside out.

Hammock also talked about his team's senior class. "In 21', when we won the conference, they were young, and you think 'Oh, this is easy!' and every year is going to be like this," he said. "They try to make sure they set the standards for the younger guys...what it takes day-in and day-out."

Bowling Green

Bowling Green Falcons coach Scot Loeffler has his eye on consistency. "Halfway through Year 5 was for the first time you felt consistent habits, consistent discipline," Loeffler said.

Loeffler approves of pod scheduling is great since it is the model the Big Ten Conference uses. He thinks it's really good for college football and the whole league.

Loeffler also believes in prepping the Falcons' players for play helps a lot. "I've never felt in this business pressure," he said. "I always believe if you prep really, really well and you have a great mentality and attitude, recruit the right people you let it rip."

Buffalo

Buffalo Bulls coach Pete Lambo was all smiles about coming back to the MAC.

"It's like going to get a Ph.D. later in your career and having a chance to be able to apply everything you've learned over those multiple stops to a new opportunity," Lambo said.

Lambo talked about being a special teams coordinator at his other stops. When doing so, he gained some fresh perspectives and got a new appreciation for being a coach.

He talked about how his players and staff treated him when coming to Buffalo. "I say this all the time," Lambo said. "I feel like I've been in Buffalo a lot longer because of the warm reception I've received from some players and administration. We have exceptional morale right now. These guys inspire me."

It's going to be a dogfight in the MAC this season. Look for all these teams to get at it when this season gets underway very soon.