4. Toledo Rockets
The MAC got the New Year’s Six nod once when PJ Fleck’s 2016 Western Michigan team went unbeaten with a conference title, but lost in a good fight with Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl.
The conference hasn’t been all that close in the other playoff years.
The problem for the MAC tends to be all the games against Big Ten teams – and often a few other games against Power Five programs – with losses early on ending the chances before they can begin.
– Predicting Every 2021 MAC Game
This Toledo team should be the best yet under head coach Jason Candle, and it has the right schedule to make a push.
It has to go to Notre Dame early on, but Colorado State is a home game along with dates with UMass and Norfolk State. If the Rockets can get by defending MAC champion Ball State on the road and start the season 5-1, the rest of the conference season isn’t all that bad.
It won’t be a total breeze – going to Central Michigan and Ohio will be battles, and Western Michigan is good – but again, this Toledo team should be just that solid.
– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews