It’s officially July, which means it’s the final month of the college football offseason. But the sport’s main topic of discussion isn’t the 2022 schedule quite yet. Unexpected realignment news regarding the Big Ten’s addition of USC and UCLA in 2024 is sending shockwaves across the college football universe.
However, that’s still two years away and there is football to be played in less than two months. When the season commences, the MAC typically spends the first four weeks engaged in non-conference clashes. But not all non-conference schedules are created equal. So let’s apply expectations to each MAC program when it comes to those early-season 4-game slates:
2021 non-conference results
- 0-4: Ohio
- 1-3: Akron, Kent State, Miami (OH)
- 2-2: Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo
- 3-1: Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan
- 4-0: N/A
Nobody was perfect in 2021, but Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan were closest — although both programs suffered lopsided losses in Big Ten country to Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. The majority of the conference finished an even 2-2 prior to MAC play. But not everybody enjoyed success, as four MAC East programs fell below .500, including Ohio which suffered a rare loss to an FCS team.
Now, let’s look forward to 2022.
Should get the FCS win
Akron Zips
- vs. St. Francis PA (FCS), 9/1
- @ Michigan State, 9/10
- @ Tennessee, 9/17
- @ Liberty, 9/24
The Joe Moorhead era in Akron kicks off on a Thursday Night at InfoCision Stadium. For the first time since 2018, the Zips open with an FCS opponent — a perfect opportunity to start Moorhead’s tenure a fresh 1-0. After the new-look Zips battle St. Francis PA, non-conference play transforms into an uphill battle. Akron ventures out on road trips to East Lansing and Knoxville, where Mel Tucker and Josh Heupel have noticeably improved their respective programs. Wins won’t be easy to come by in Big Ten and SEC territory, so the Zips’ best shot at a second victory transpires at Liberty. Malik Willis is no longer on campus, but Hugh Freeze’s Flames reloaded significantly through the transfer portal — acquiring former Baylor and Utah quarterback Charlie Brewer as well as Hawaii running back Dae Dae Hunter.
Bowling Green Falcons
- @ UCLA, 9/3
- vs. Eastern Kentucky (FCS), 9/10
- vs. Marshall, 9/17
- @ Mississippi State, 9/24
Disclaimer: If Bowling Green knocked off 9-4 Minnesota on the road last fall as 30.5-point underdogs, all of these upsets are certainly possible. That being said, the odds will be against an improved-Falcons team in three of these games. UCLA made impressive strides to 8-4 under Chip Kelly last year with a high-powered rushing offense, which should sustain with halfback Zach Charbonnet behind a veteran o-line. Former MAC rival Marshall, now a member of the Sun Belt, trots out one of the nation’s best running backs in Rasheen Ali which could provide headaches for …….