No MAC team has finished 4-0 in non-conference play since 2016. Who is most likely to do so in 2025?
No Mid-American Conference has cleared its non-conference schedule in nine years. Yes, the historic 2016 Western Michigan team which earned a Cotton Bowl bid and qualified for the New Year’s Six stage was the last MAC squad to finish 4-0 outside of league play.
College Football Playoff access is more open to the MAC than ever before under the 12-team format, but in order for the MAC to join the picture, controlling non-conference play is a must. Now, let’s assess each team’s likely non-conference result and determine if anyone has a shot at rattling off four victories like the 2016 Broncos.
2024 non-conference results
Nobody posted a perfect 4-0 record in the 2024 non-conference standings, although three schools finished 3-1. Toledo was closest to perfection. The Rockets dominated Mississippi State on the road, but one week later, they fell 26-21 at Western Kentucky, possessing the ball four yards away from the end zone in the final minute. Northern Illinois was also excruciatingly close, pulling off the upset of the year at Notre Dame but dropping a contest 24-17 at NC State due to a 4-0 turnover deficit.
On the other hand, Kent State went the dreaded 0-4 by suffering a brutal upset at the hands of St. Francis (PA) of the FCS. Four MAC schools cleared their early-season FCS appointment but went 0-3 against the rest of the non-conference slate, while Miami (OH) went 1-3 against four FBS schools. Finally, Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ohio split even at 2-2. The full 2024 non-conference standings are below:
- 0-4: Kent State
- 1-3: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Western Michigan
- 2-2: Buffalo, Central Michigan, Ohio
- 3-1: Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo
- 4-0: N/A
Note that UMass was independent in 2024 and finished 2-10 in its 12 non-conference matchups (0-5 against the MAC, 2-5 against non-MAC teams).
Should get the FCS win
Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images
Kent State Golden Flashes
- vs. Merrimack (FCS), 8/30
- at Texas Tech, 9/6
- at Florida State, 9/20
- at Oklahoma, 10/4
Simply put, 2024 Kent State was one of the worst teams in recent college football memory. The Golden Flashes went 0-12, only played one FBS opponent within 21 points, and faced three 40+ shutouts. But worst of all, they lost to St. Francis (PA), a team which went 3-6 against FCS competition in 2024. Even when the Flashes were at their best in the Sean Lewis era, they’d go 1-3 in non-conference play due to brutal scheduling. The brutal scheduling remains in 2025, but now, Kent State must assure it beats its FCS opponent this year. Merrimack went 5-6 last year. That’s a massive opener for interim head coach Mark Carney and his new-look squad, which cannot afford to squander its easiest win of the season amidst an FBS-high 21-game losing streak.
Ball State Cardinals
- at Purdue, 8/30
- at Auburn, 9/6
- vs. New Hampshire (FCS), 9/13
- at UConn, 9/20
No MAC school was gutted harder by the portal than Ball State, which lost most of its top pieces from 2024 — quarterback Kadin Semonza, tight end Tanner Koziol, guard Taran Tyo, cornerback Myles Norwood, to name a few. With new head coach Mike Uremovich, it’s not going to be easy rebuilding the Cardinals to contenders without these names. The rebuild may eventually materialize, but Ball State faces an uphill battle in non-conference play to kick off the Uremovich era. Purdue rides an 11-game losing streak into Week 1, so that’s the most winnable FBS matchup. But Auburn and UConn (the Huskies won nine games last year) may be difficult opponents for the new-look Cardinals.
Bowling Green Falcons
- vs. Lafayette (FCS), 8/28
- at Cincinnati, 9/6
- vs. Liberty, 9/13
- at Louisville, 9/20
Bowling Green’s 2025 slate is by no means a cakewalk. The Falcons ease into things with an FCS opponent on Thursday night of Week 1, but the remainder of the matchups are quite challenging. Cincinnati finished 5-7 last year, but the third-year Big 12 dweller returns a loads of talent from quarterback Brendan Sorsby to defensive tackle Dontay Corleone and looks poised to return to bowl eligibility. Then there’s the overwhelming CUSA favorite in Liberty, which has won seven-straight non-conference games, excluding bowls — and Jamey Chadwell’s spread option is always tricky. Finally, a road trip to Louisville looms, and that offense led by transfer quarterback Miller Moss and star running back Isaac Brown can give defenses headaches. Not the easiest September slate by any means.
Central Michigan Chippewas
- at San Jose State, 8/29
- at Pitt, 9/6
- at Michigan, 9/13
- vs. Wagner (FCS), 9/20
It’s a rebuilding year for the Chippewas. After a fantastic start to the Jim McElwain era from 2019-21, Central Michigan had been spinning its wheels in 4-8 and 5-7 territory the last three seasons, and the Chippewas hired Matt Drinkall to replace the retired McElwain. Drinkall’s first test is a late-night Friday showdown on the West Coast — and Central Michigan will be double-digit underdogs to San Jose State. That’s the most winnable of the three FBS matchups, as road trips to Pitt and Michigan loom. Pitt does have a history of losing to MAC teams (MAC is 3-5 vs. Pitt in the College Football Playoff era), but Michigan will likely be a mammoth of an opponent. Luckily for Central Michigan, it finally gets its first home game Sept. 20 with a chance to right the ship before MAC play.
UMass Minutemen
- vs. Temple, 8/30
- vs. Bryant (FCS), 9/6
- at Iowa, 9/13
- at Missouri, 9/20
Welcome to the MAC, UMass. Unlike the previous nine seasons, not every game is a non-conference game. The Minutemen ditch their independent life and take on a four-game September non-conference schedule like everyone else in the MAC. The start isn’t terribly daunting. Temple is first, and the Owls have produced four-straight 3-9 seasons (although UMass hasn’t won more than three since 2018). Both teams start fresh from a coaching perspective as Joe Harasymiak opens vs. Temple’s new frontman K.C. Keeler. After an FCS opponent (both UMass wins in 2024 were vs. FCS teams), the Minutemen travel to the participants of the 2024 Music City Bowl — both long shot victories.
2-2 is on the table
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Ohio Bobcats
- at Rutgers, 8/28
- vs. West Virginia, 9/6
- at Ohio State, 9/13
- vs. Gardner-Webb (FCS), 9/20
The reigning MAC champions certainly don’t have it easy. For one, they start anew with Brian Smith as head coach, an internal hire to replace Tim Albin after Albin’s 20 years of service in Athens. Smith’s first non-conference schedule starts with a road trip to an improved Rutgers team on Week 1 Thursday night, a matchup which the Bobcats are currently labeled double-digit underdogs. Then, Ohio’s most winnable FBS game transpires Week 2 in Athens against a transformed West Virginia team, featuring new (and old) head coach Rich Rodriguez. Beating reigning national champion Ohio State is a long shot, but perhaps Rufus the Bobcat can work his magic on Brutus again. With star dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro leading the way, Ohio hopes to snag a Rutgers or West Virginia win, but if neither transpires, an FCS opponent awaits on Sept. 20.
Western Michigan Broncos
- at Michigan State, 8/29
- vs. North Texas, 9/6
- at Illinois, 9/13
- vs. Rhode Island (FCS), 9/27
Western Michigan saw forward progress in 2024, qualifying for bowl eligibility for the first time in three seasons. The Broncos didn’t quite finish above .500, but they were excruciatingly close, and one of those close losses they can point to was Week 1 at Wisconsin. Week 1 at Michigan State feels similar. It’s a Friday night showdown against a Big Ten team that hasn’t been a world beater as of late, and the Broncos hope to make it close behind electrifying tailback Jalen Buckley. A week later, Western Michigan opens at home against North Texas, which has fielded dominant offenses and concerning defenses in recent years, but it should be an even game in Kalamazoo. Lastly, Illinois is tougher than normal, coming off a 10-3 campaign with tons of returning production.
Akron Zips
- vs. Wyoming, 8/28
- at Nebraska, 9/6
- at UAB, 9/13
- vs. Duquesne (FCS), 9/20
Many MAC teams would salivate at this non-conference schedule, as 4-0 potential is extremely high. There’s an FCS opponent as well as Wyoming and UAB — two programs fresh off 3-9 campaigns. The toughest game is unquestionably Nebraska which just snapped a 7-year bowl drought in a 7-6 season. Now Akron hasn’t defeated an FBS team in non-conference play since 2018, but the Zips are coming off their best overall season since 2018. It’s a make or break year for Joe Moorhead and with a veteran quarterback in Ben Finley and a star receiver in Alex Adams, perhaps this offense finds a gear to take down the Cowboys or Blazers.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
- at Texas State, 8/30
- vs. Long Island (FCS), 9/6
- at Kentucky, 9/13
- vs. Louisiana, 9/20
Fun fact: Eastern Michigan has not finished below .500 in non-conference play since 2015. Yes, the Eagles have gone 2-2 or 3-1 outside of MAC play for almost an entire decade under Chris Creighton, defeating the likes of Rutgers, Purdue, Illinois, Arizona State, and even 2024 CUSA champion Jacksonville State to do so. Even though Eastern Michigan was 5-7 last year, all four games are at least manageable in 2025. Texas State and Louisiana were the class of the Sun Belt West but return some of the fewest production in the conference. Kentucky will be much trickier, however. Chris Creighton has worked his magic before, and if he can go 1-2 against that slate, the .500+ non-conference slate lives another year.
Northern Illinois Huskies
- vs. Holy Cross (FCS), 8/30
- at Maryland, 9/5
- at Mississippi State, 9/20
- vs. San Diego State, 9/27
It’s the final season of Northern Illinois in the MAC. The Huskies brought the league some great non-conference moments over the years, most notably their 2024 upset at Notre Dame. Now NIU doesn’t have any College Football Playoff favorites on its 2025 slate, but it’s not a walk in the park. Friday night vs. Maryland is the most difficult of the four matchups. Mississippi State should be improved from last year’s 2-10 disaster, and the Huskies hope to become the second-straight MAC team to invade Starkville and leave victorious. Finally, there’s San Diego State which has fallen on hard times recently with 4-8 and 3-9 records in its last two seasons — certainly a winnable game for the reigning Famous Idaho Potato Bowl champions.
Miami (OH) RedHawks
- at Wisconsin, 8/28
- at Rutgers, 9/6
- vs. UNLV, 9/20
- vs. Lindenwood (FCS), 9/27
For most of the MAC, this schedule suggests a 1-3 non-conference finish. But Miami is not “most of the MAC.” The RedHawks have been consistently strong under head coach Chuck Martin, appearing in the last two MAC Championship Games and winning 20 contests over the last two years. They reloaded with former MAC MVP Dequan Finn at quarterback and the defense has All-MAC caliber pieces throughout including Silas Walters. Wisconsin? Not easy, but Western Michigan almost stunned the Badgers in Madison last August. Rutgers? They’ve improved lately, but Miami shouldn’t be a three-score underdog in Piscataway. UNLV? Veteran transfer-filled roster under new head coach Dan Mullen, so a huge question mark. Some of Miami’s better seasons, like 2019 and 2024, featured 1-3 non-conference records, but perhaps the RedHawks can sneak a second win in this year.
Candidates for 3-1 (and beyond?)
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Toledo Rockets
- at Kentucky, 8/30
- vs. WKU, 9/6
- vs. Morgan State (FCS), 9/13
- at Washington State, 10/25
Toledo was extremely close to a 4-0 non-conference record in 2024, coming within less than five yards of defeating WKU to attain perfection. Luckily for the Rockets, they get another shot at the Hilltoppers in 2025, except this time at the Glass Bowl in what should be two conference contenders. The Rockets also have two road trips, and both are winnable matchups — just like their road trip to Mississippi State last fall. Toledo opens at a Kentucky squad coming off a 4-8 campaign, and in October, it travels to the Pacific Northwest to battle a Washington State team with a new head coach in Jimmy Rogers and a transformed roster. At least one of those could be for the taking.
Buffalo Bulls
- at Minnesota, 8/28
- vs. St. Francis (PA), 9/6
- vs. Troy, 9/20
- vs. UConn, 9/27
Buffalo is one of the most complete teams in the MAC. Although the Bulls don’t return a starting quarterback, they boast loads of returning depth elsewhere, especially on the Red Murdock-led defense. This talented Bulls roster is also working with a manageable non-conference schedule. Minnesota is never an easy out, but the Gophers are often beatable in low-scoring defensive bouts (they only scored more than 27 twice last year). Then, Buffalo gets a trio of games at UB Stadium. Those include FBS opponents Troy and UConn. The Trojans are in the midst of a rebuild coming off 4-8, but it’s the Huskies which suddenly pose a threat. UConn stampeded the Bulls 47-3 last year and quietly got to nine wins, and that’s a revenge game Buffalo hopes to snatch back on its homefield.