MAC Football: Power rankings, top 5 players and key games for 2022

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Central Michigan running back Lew Nichols running against Washington State in the Sun Bowl

Central Michigan’s Lew Nichols III (7) at the 88th Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington State at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. /

MAC Football Power Rankings

12. Akron Zips

Even with Joe Moorhead, this Zips team will still be miles behind everyone this year.

11. Bowling Green Falcons

Hey, maybe y’all shouldn’t have hired Scot Loeffler – better known as being the main reason Auburn went 3-9 the year before they went to the national title game – as your head coach. Just a thought.

10. Ohio Bobcats

Frank Solich protégé Tim Albin has some work to do after his first year in Athens.

9. Ball State Cardinals

2021’s preseason pick to win the conference had their moments, but they were too inconsistent, overall.

8. Kent State Golden Flashes

Star receiver Dante Cephas is still there, but NFL quarterback prospect Dustin Crum is off to the league. Overall, it’s still an okay team, however.

7. Western Michigan Broncos

No Kaleb Eleby, no Skyy Moore, no real way for the Broncos to compete for the league title in 2022.

6. Buffalo Bulls

James Patterson is a menace at linebacker, and the Bulls should improve a good deal from their 4-8 outing in 2021.

5. Toledo Rockets

Toledo would haven’t been higher on this list, but they’ve been hit hard by transfers and departures. Still, this is a dark horse team for the crown, given they have Finn, as well as edge rusher Jamal Hines.

4. Eastern Michigan Eagles

Hassan Beydoun is not going to have quarterback Ben Bryant to throw to him this year, as Bryant transferred to Cincinnati this offseason. Yet, the Eagles have enough talent throughout the team to compete for the MAC title.

3. Miami RedHawks

Brett Gabbert will be the best quarterback in this league for 2022, and nickelback Matthew Salopek is another name that will have Miami in the conference title race.

2. Northern Illinois Huskies

After winning the conference title, bringing Rocky Lombardi back, and having the core of a good offensive line, they don’t lack for a case to be in the top spot. Yet, this team was just seventh in the MAC in point differential per game, and may not be as good as they showed last year.

1. Central Michigan Chippewas

No, they don’t have big-play return man and receiver Kalil Pimpleton, and no, they don’t have their stud tackles from last year either. Yet, with a legitimate star running back in Lew Nichols, as well as an underrated passing game, the Chippewas are the safest pick as the MAC’s top dog.

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