Last year’s MAC champion Miami RedHawks are the heavy favorites to go back-to-back, according to the coaches poll which was released on Friday during the conference’s media day.
Miami took down Toledo, who was ranked in the AP top 25, in a nationally-televised title game in 2023, and they are well-equipped to do it again after returning multiple key pieces from last year’s roster.
The MAC opted to remove the East and West divisions in favor of a pod scheduling system ahead of the 2024 season, which will ensure every team plays each other at least once over a three-year stretch, and will make the title game more competitive.
The RedHawks received nine of the 12 available first place votes, with the other three going to the second ranked team in the poll, Toledo.
Almost time to get some #MACtion ⏳
The 2024 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll is LIVE! 👀 pic.twitter.com/jJAj5BwhcP
— #MACtion (@MACSports) July 19, 2024
Bowling Green and Northern Illinois tied for third place, and the rest of the poll was ordered as follows: Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, Buffalo, Akron, and Kent State.