Buffalo football has pieces to win the MAC title in 2020

Buffalo football in a great position to win the MAC this season with their strong offense and defense but they will need to keep stability in 2020.

Most programs in the MAC are an afterthought but Buffalo has a rich history. With the Bulls looking to continue their winning ways in the sixth year of head coach Lance Leipold, they will be looking to build a strong future.

The Bulls have seen limited success in their 30 years as an FBS program. In 2007 and 2008, they were divisional champions of the East as well as a conference title in the latter season. The Bulls have seen one of their former players in Chicago Bears star Khalil Mack turn into a five-bowl Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro in his six years in the NFL.

Under the direction of Leipold, the Bulls have been turned into one of the more productive teams. In five seasons with him as the head coach, the Bulls have accumulated a 31-32 overall record including a 20-20 in conference play.

In the past two seasons, the Bulls have an 18-9 overall record including a 12-4 record in conference play. The 2018 season was the last year that the Bulls were East division champions as they finished with a 10-4 record (7-1 in the MAC). They lost to Northern Illinois in the MAC title game, 30-29.

In 2019, the Bulls were left tied for second place with Kent State and Ohio (both losses in matchups) in the East. The Bulls did beat the West division champ in Central Michigan in late-October. They finished this past season with an 8-5 record (5-3 in the MAC).

This was disappointing for the Bulls as they had potential but were in the middle of a reloading season. The Bulls, with much more experience and expectations, will go into the 2020 season as the favorite to win the MAC by Athlon Sports. This is a team that returns great leaders and playmakers at key positions that will make a significant impact on the season.