2022 MAC Season Grades

Akron

Preseason Rating: 43.5 

Final Rating: 47

Akron suffered yet another abysmal season, but the Zips were at least more competitive in a lot of games than they have been in the recent past. So, the program is certainly improving, but some wins would go a long way in helping. Defensive improvement is a good sign as Akron was not allowing massive amounts of yards and points in every single game. In fact, Akron nearly won a few games towards the end of the season and even pummeled Northern Illinois. It will take time, but Akron will get back to a bowl at some point.

2022 Grade: C-

Bowling Green

Preseason Rating: 46 

Final Rating: 50.5

Expectations were low for Bowling Green entering 2022. Respectability eluded the Falcons for some time. Only Akron was worse in the MAC, and the Zips actually beat Bowling Green in 2021. This season, Bowling Green surprised everyone regarding the number of wins. A 7 (SEVEN!) overtime loss to Eastern Kentucky in Week 2 seemed to justify those low expectations. However, an overtime victory against Marshall the following week raised them back up. Catching opponents at the right time aided Bowling Green’s win total immeasurably. In fact, several victories were had just when opponents had quarterbacks injured or during losing streaks atypical of those teams. So, Bowling Green was winning games, but more than met the eye was being played out on the field. Sure, Scot Loeffler improved his time the most of any time during his tenure. But, Bowling Green was not as good as almost any other 6-6 team. Yet, looking forward, Bowling Green will not be looked over as automatically as in the past. Improvement was had, just not as much as the record would indicate.

2022 Grade: C

Buffalo

Preseason Rating: 52

Final Rating: 55.5

The loss of Lance Leipold halted Buffalo’s rise to respectability immediately. Kansas’s success this season obviated Leipold’s talent, demonstrating how large his loss really was for the Bulls. The program plodded through 2021 but rebounded to win six games this season. Head coach Maurice Linguist did a better job than expected but there were still some questionable losses. An FBS team should never lose to a Patriot League team as Buffalo did in Week 2 against Holy Cross. Sure, it was on a hail mary, but the game never should have gotten to that point in any circumstance. However, a strong start to conference play elevated the Bills power rating from a low of 48. Yet, following the bye week, MACtion was not too kind. Back to back road losses at Ohio and Central Michigan ended any hopes of a MAC title game appearance. So, up and down this team went, which made it extremely difficult to get a solid power rating on them. A rescheduled nail-biting win against lowly Akron clinched a bowl game. There, Buffalo controlled the pace of the game against Sun Belt member Georgia Southern. Just enough plays went right to get Buffalo the win. So, at the end of the year, 2022 resulted in a decent improvement for Buffalo. However, inconsistency made this team tough to figure out all season. That should remain the case going forward.

2022 Grade: C

Kent State

Preseason Rating: 59.5

Final Rating: 56

Kent State had possibly the worst 5-7 year imaginable. A brutal non-conference schedule featuring trips to Washington, Oklahoma, and Georgia practically eliminated the Flashes from bowl eligibility; a so-so conference record literally did. Close games against teams that Kent State typically is much better than served as writing on the wall that this team would not have a solid 2022. The loss of excellent quarterback Dustin Crum in the offseason set Kent State back, but most thought his replacement would be sufficient enough to contend in the MAC. That was not the case. Now, head coach Sean Lewis departs for the offensive coordinator gig at Colorado. Kent State needs a full rebuild; things may be ugly in the short term future.

2022 Grade: D

Miami (Ohio)

Preseason Rating: 56.5 

Final Rating: 55

High preseason expectations set Miami up for MAC title contention entering the season. However, injuries at quarterback and subsequent troubles moving the ball consistently prevented a division crown and a trip to Detroit. A solid defense essentially got Miami to a bowl game, but the offensive woes stopped 2022 from being a special season. The RedHawks were solid as underdogs but not the best team with whom to lay points. Chuck Martin did a good job nevertheless as getting to a bowl game from the MAC is not the easiest accomplishment. 

2022 Grade: C+ 

Ohio

Preseason Rating: 52 

Final Rating: 58.5

The Ohio Bobcats had one of the more interesting seasons this year. Not much was expected of the Bobcats after a bad 2021. Tim Albins was going to need to improve his team quite a bit to look respectable. In the end, Ohio nearly won the MAC Championship and defeated a Mountain West opponent in a bowl. A lengthy winning streak in conference play ensured a successful season. The Bobcats became a dependable bet both as a favorite and underdog. None of their four losses were terrible and this program has lots of momentum heading forward. 

2022 Grade: B+

Ball State

Preseason Rating: 51.5

Final Rating: 55.5

Ball State had a season to forget. The Cardinals did not have a single impressive win. The offense struggled to score points often. Keeping some games close against superior competition indicates possible improvement not too far off. A solid running back was the only bright spot for this team. The MAC West is decent. Ball State could contend with one or two talented players. For now, the Cardinals exceed expectations that were fairly low to begin with, but any improvement is a good sign in today’s college football.

2022 Grade: C-

Central Michigan

Preseason Rating: 64 

Final Rating: 53

Central Michigan came into 2022 off a good season ending with a bowl victory over a Power 5 opponent. Everyone knew the stellar Lew Nichols III would be the lynchpin of the Chippewa offense. But, injuries and far worse play than expected resulted in a highly disappointing year. At nearly no point was Central Michigan a solid bet in 2022. Opponents keyed in on Nichols, when he was healthy and on the field, to stop the offense while bad quarterback play was taken as a given. Hopes were high for the Chips, and not even getting to six wins and bowl eligibility suffices as disappointing. 

2022 Grade: D

Eastern Michigan

Preseason Rating: 56 

Final Rating: 58

Chis Creighton pulled off yet another very good season in Ypsilanti. For having a roster with little talent, Crieghton gets the absolute most out of it. Eastern Michigan is one of the toughest jobs in FBS; Creighton routinely has EMU reaching bowl eligibility while pulling off an upset or two along the way. This season, the big upset ended Herm Edwards tenure at Arizona State. Sure, the Eagles often play games that are close, no matter the opponent. But, they win those games more often than not. So, Eastern Michigan defeated a Power 5 school and won a bowl game. Beyond not winning the division and conference, that is a relatively successful season by most standards.

2022 Grade: B

Northern Illinois

Preseason Rating: 60

Final Rating: 50

Northern Illinois usually contends in the MAC West and gets to bowl eligibility. However, injuries at quarterback and some poor coaching curtailed NIU’s season. The Huskies were not a feared opponent in 2022. Although, five of Northern Illinois’ losses were by one score or less. So, with some luck, 2023 might fare better for NIU. Coach Hammock must improve but the return of quarterback Rocky Lombardi eases things quite a bit for next season. Overall, NIU kept games close against far better talent but did not secure enough actual wins on the field for this past season to be considered a success on any level.

2022 Grade: D

Toledo

Preseason Rating: 65 

Final Rating: 63

Jason Candle always does a fantastic job at Toledo. The Rockets compete for the MAC yearly. This season, they won the MAC, suffered no bad losses until late in the year when injuries to the starting quarterback caused problems, and won a bowl game. There is not much else to say about 2022 Toledo football. Although the final rating was not as high as the preseason number, Toledo had a good season. 

2022 Grade: A-

Western Michigan

Preseason Rating: 58.5 

Final Rating: 51.5

2022 was a year to forget in Kalamazoo. The Broncos struggled all season. No good wins were accomplished until late in the year against Toledo when the Rockets were injured at quarterback. Western Michigan was not a solid wager at any point in the season when playing a team at full strength. Despite the poor season, the dismissal of head coach Tim Lester surprised. Dropping a touchdown in power rating often will get a coach fired but not if it is the first season below expectations in a relatively successful tenure. Still, the year was a failure and not up to typical WMU standards. 

2022 Grade: F