Chippewas Favored To Claim Third Straight MAC Title

DETROIT – A record 10 teams received at least two votes to win their respective division, but in the end the MAC News Media Association preseason football poll touted Central Michigan to walk off Ford Field on Dec. 5 with another MAC trophy. The poll was announced at the league’s annual Football Media day held at Ford Field in Detroit.

The Chippewas, two-time defending champion, are heavily favored to capture the West Division and the Marathon MAC Championship game, facing its toughest test from Bowling Green, tabbed to win the MAC East Division in a tight race over Miami.

In the six-team West, CMU grabbed 29 of the 36 first-place votes with Ball State (5) and Western Michigan (2) also receiving some top billing.

The East is predicted much closer as every school in the seven-team division earned at least two first-place votes. Last year’s three teams that tied for first place in the East are expected to slot those same positions this year.

The Falcons, who earned 17 first place nods, will be pursued by Miami (7) and Buffalo (3), respectively, for the East crown. Ohio also grabbed three top votes while Akron, Kent State and Temple earned two first-place votes each.

Six squads received votes for the question of capturing the championship game. Central Michigan had 24 votes, with the other split among Ball State (5), Bowling Green (4), Buffalo (1), Miami (1) and Western Michigan (1).

The first conference game of the year is September 6 when Western Michigan hosts Northern Illinois at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo. The regular season concludes on Friday, November 28, with five conference games scheduled. The complete poll follows.

WEST DIVISION (6-5-4-3-2-1 point system)        

1. Central Michigan         207                                          

2. Ball State                   168                                          

3. Western Michigan       143                                          

4. Toledo                         98                                          

5. Eastern Michigan          80                                          

6. Northern Illinois            60                                          

EAST DIVISION (7-6-5-4-3-2-1)

1. Bowling Green            206

2. Miami                        202

3. Buffalo                       145

4. Kent State                  137

5. Temple                      120

6. Ohio                          119

7. Akron                          78