MAC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

The College Football News 2021 MAC preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team. 

The College Football News 2021 MAC preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team. 


This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to finish. This is based on how good we think the Independent teams are going into the 2021 season.

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2021 CFN MAC Preseason Rankings: East

1. Buffalo Bulls

Quick Take: It’s a new era of UB football under Maurice Linguist, and there’s still enough in place to at least be in the mix for the MAC Championship. The running game will still be good, the defensive back seven is among the best in the league, and overall the machine shouldn’t stop.
Buffalo Preview | Schedule

2. Kent State Golden Flashes

Quick Take: The FlashFast offense is about to be deadlier than ever. The Golden Flashes have the best quarterback in the league in Dustin Crum, the coaching staff is in a groove now, and the defense should be just a wee bit better.
Kent St Preview | Schedule

3. Miami University RedHawks

Quick Take: Defense, offensive consistency, repeat. There might not be a big-time running game, but the passing attack will be fine, the linebacking corps will be great, and the RedHawks will make a big push for the East.
MU Preview | Schedule

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4. Ohio Bobcats

Quick Take: Feel more than free to put Ohio at the top of the East list – or at least shuffle it among the four best teams – with a great offensive backfield, what should be a dominant running game, and with a D that should be just good enough to hold serve.
Ohio Preview | Schedule

5. Akron Zips

Quick Take: It’s still a work in progress. Akron needs the lines to be a whole lot better, the offense has to be far more consistent, and there have to be a few things the team can rely on week after week. On the plus side, the experience is there.
Akron Preview | Schedule

6. Bowling Green Falcons

Quick Take: The offense has GOT to start working. Head coach Scot Loeffler knows how to get an O going, but it has to happen already to help overcome a defensive front that’s still going to have major issues.
BGSU Preview | Schedule

NEXT: 2021 CFN MAC Preseason Rankings: West

MAC Rankings: 2020 CFN Five Year College Football Program Analysis

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the MAC teams rank?

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the MAC teams rank?


It’s our annual look at where all the college football programs rank with a five-year snapshot looking at attendance, players drafted, APR, and wins, wins, wins.

How do all of the MAC college football programs stack up over the last five seasons?

Which college football programs are doing the best jobs overall, which once have all the advantages, and most of all, who’s winning?

How are the rankings determined? Click here for all of the category descriptions.

Five-Year Program Analysis Categories, Rankings
2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings 1-130
FBS Wins | Attendance | Quality Wins
Elite Wins | Bad Losses | Bad Wins | Elite Losses
Conference Win % | APR | NFL Draft
Ranking Categories Explained

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12 Kent State 22.52

2020 National Ranking: 125
2019 National Ranking: 130
2018 National Ranking: 125
2017 National Ranking: 106

11 Ball State 25.76

2020 National Ranking: 120
2019 National Ranking: 119
2018 National Ranking: 111
2017 National Ranking: 89

2020 CFN Five Year Program Analysis: Rankings 1-130

10 Akron 30.75

2020 National Ranking: 112
2019 National Ranking: 106
2018 National Ranking: 99
2017 National Ranking: 115

9 Bowling Green 30.98

2020 National Ranking: 111
2019 National Ranking: 103
2018 National Ranking: 78
2017 National Ranking: 60

8 Eastern Michigan 36.64

2020 National Ranking: 104
2019 National Ranking: 114
2018 National Ranking: 122
2017 National Ranking: 124

7 Central Michigan 41.48

2020 National Ranking: 99
2019 National Ranking: 95
2018 National Ranking: 85
2017 National Ranking: 88


2020 MAC Team Previews
East Akron | Bowling Green | Buffalo
Kent State | Miami Univ. | Ohio
West Ball State | Central Mich | Eastern Mich
Northern Illinois | Toledo | Western Michigan
CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews


6 Miami Univ. 41.97

2020 National Ranking: 98
2019 National Ranking: 111
2018 National Ranking: 120
2017 National Ranking: 120

5 Buffalo 44.12

2020 National Ranking: 95
2019 National Ranking: 99
2018 National Ranking: 107
2017 National Ranking: 110

4 Northern Illinois 52.71

2020 National Ranking: 78
2019 National Ranking: 60
2018 National Ranking: 57
2017 National Ranking: 45

3 Ohio 60.06

2020 National Ranking: 60
2019 National Ranking: 69
2018 National Ranking: 69
2017 National Ranking: 67

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2 Toledo 68.78

2020 National Ranking: 48
2019 National Ranking: 38
2018 National Ranking: 41
2017 National Ranking: 42

1 Western Michigan 69.95

2020 National Ranking: 47
2019 National Ranking: 53
2018 National Ranking: 60
2017 National Ranking: 71

CFN Program Analysis Ranking Categories

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