2015 MAC football power rankings, from EMU to WMU (yes, WMU)

At the end of each conference run-through, I take a look at how I perceive the conference's balance of power heading into the season. This is in no way based on schedules, so they are not predictions. They're just how I would rank the teams after writing thousands of words about each of them.

In 2014, there were basically three tiers of power in the MAC: the top three teams, everybody but EMU, and EMU. I see something similar this fall. Click each team's name for that team's preview.

Tier 1
1. Western Michigan
2. Toledo
3. Northern Illinois

These three were in last year's F/+ top 70. Nobody else ranked higher than 85th. Since all three teams are more experienced than last year, I don't see that gap closing.

I'm doing something silly and betting against the king. Northern Illinois has won five MAC West titles in a row and took down both WMU and Toledo despite a lower ranking last year. But WMU and Toledo are both more experienced than last year, and while I think WMU might be the best team on paper, Toledo probably holds the division edge because the Rockets get both WMU and NIU at home. WMU has to go to both Toledo and DeKalb.

Regardless, these three are tightly matched and a couple of heads above the rest.

Tier 2
4. Bowling Green
5. Akron
6. Ball State
7. Ohio
8. Buffalo
9. Central Michigan
10. UMass
11. Kent State
12. Miami (Ohio)

You could make a case that these nine should fit into two different tiers; UMass, Kent State and Miami did, after all, combine to go 7-28 last year while the other six went 36-41.

But UMass and Miami might have two of the best offenses in the league, and Kent State might have one of the best defenses. If any of them gets sheer competence from their other units, or if they get lucky bounces, they could all challenge for 6-6.

BGSU, BSU, Ohio, and Buffalo took backwards steps, Akron is still more potential than production, and CMU is incredibly volatile with its unknown coaching staff. I say the gap is small. And that could be lots of fun -- all seven MAC East teams are in the same tier, and the East winner might again finish 5-3. Better yet: until proven otherwise, I say the vaunted seven-way, 4-4 tie is also on the table! We can dream.

Tier 3
13. Eastern Michigan

I'd like to think Chris Creighton can build something in Ypsilanti, because I think every fan base should be happy at one point or another, but it's hard to see the Eagles doing well until at best 2016.

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MAC West

MAC East