Week one of the 2025-26 season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) is officially in the books.
With the first week of the year came a lot of notable story lines. A much-anticipated coaching debut, a long losing streak finally coming to an end, and only four teams coming away with a victory. Leaving the rest, trying to shake off the rust and try to bounce back for week number two.
Here are the week two matchups across the Mid-American Conference:
West Virginia Vs. Ohio
Although the defending conference champions are coming off a tough loss against Rutgers of the Big Ten. The Ohio Bobcats (0-1, 0-0), and senior quarterback Parker Navarro proved in that week one defeat, they will still be a force to be reckoned with by the time conference play begins.
In the three-point loss, Navarro went 21-31, 239 passing yards, and three passing touchdowns. He also contributed to the running attack, with nine rushing attempts, 93 yards, and a rushing TD of his own.
To no one’s surprise, Navarro, with this performance, would win MAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Bobcats look to keep this momentum with their star player going, as they travel back home to Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, to face the West Virginia Mountaineers. From 1983 to 2001, the Bobcats and Mountaineers saw each other four times, with WVU winning the previous four matchups.
Kent State Vs. No. 24 Texas Tech
On Sept 16, 2023, the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-0, 0-0) scored a win over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, 38-10. The program’s next win would not arrive until 714 days later, as the Flashes would end their 21-game losing streak in week one against the Merrimack College Warriors, 21-17.
With this win, the program and much of the campus took a huge sigh of relief. However, that relief will not last long. The Flashes head southwest to Lubbock, Texas, to face the Red Raiders of Texas Tech, who are ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll this past week. It will be the first time in both programs’ history that they will face off against each other.
The Red Raiders are seen as the odds-on favorites, with a spread that is set to 48.5 points, and an over/under of 58.5.
Bowling Green Vs. Cincinnati
Head coach Eddie George’s coaching tenure at Bowling Green began with a win in week one against Lafayette, but the Falcons know that greater challenges lie ahead.
That challenge is the Cincinnati Bearcats (0-1, 0-0) of the Big 12. Many of the Falcon faithful hope to see the continuation of the running game led by freshman running back Cameron Pettaway, but also see some more action in the passing attack with senior transfer quarterback Drew Pyne.
Pyne had 18 passing attempts on the night, completing 12 with 109 passing yards. This paled in comparison to the staggering 45 rushing attempts and 159 yards on the Falcons’ offense.
A big positive for Bowling Green so far this year has been special teams. Sophomore kicker Jackson Kleather stole the show, going 4/4 on field goal attempts. Including a career-long 56-yard try, the second longest in program history. Eventually earning MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
For both of these teams, it’ll be the fifth overall matchup in their history, and the first meetup in over three decades. While oddsmakers have the Bearcats covering the spread, in all four previous matchups spanning from 1990 to 1994, the Falcons achieved victory all four times.
Will it be five for five? Only time will tell.
Northern Illinois Vs. Maryland
The Northern Illinois Huskies (1-0, 0-0) love to make things close, and that was the case for them against the Holy Cross Saints (0-1,0-0), winning 19-17.
The conference champions from four seasons ago look to go on a 2-0 run for the second straight season, heading east to College Park, Maryland, to face off against the Terrapins (1-0, 0-0) of the Big Ten. One of three different MAC Vs. Big Ten games this weekend.
This game will be the first of the conference teams playing, as the game is set for Friday, Sept 5, under the lights at SECU Stadium.
While the Terrapins are the favorites, the Huskies have a fine history of upsetting the odds. Can coach Thomas Hammock rekindle the magic from a year ago? Many from NIU think so.
Buffalo Vs. St. Francis
The offense for the Buffalo Bulls (0-1, 0-0) is far from being the standard. The defense is one that many MAC teams are keeping an eye on.
In the 23-10 loss against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, MAC Defensive Player of the Week senior linebacker Red Murdock recorded 16 tackles and a sack against the Minnesota offense. The second most tackles by any player in the country over the opening weekend.
Moving the ball upfield is still a concern for the Bulls. Murdock is not afraid to do the heavy lifting.
Central Michigan Vs. Pittsburgh
For the first time since 1996, the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-0, 0-0) have started the year out with a road win over the San Jose State Spartans, 16-14.
A nice momentous start was what was needed for the squad led by head coach Matt Drinkall. Now, the Chippewas will travel east to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to face off against the Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0, 0-0) of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Another first-time matchup for the current second-ranked team in the conference.
Bryant Vs. Massachusetts
The newest addition to the Mid-American Conference this season did not get off to the start they were hoping for, as the UMass Minutemen (0-1, 0-0) lost in a trouncing to the Temple Owls, 42-10.
Despite the rough start, new head coach Joe Harasymiak looks to move forward to week two as the Bryant Bulldogs (0-1, 0-0) roll into town.
The Minutemen are planning to find themselves in the win column for the first time this season on Saturday. As well as scoring their first win as a MAC team.
Miami OH Vs. Rutgers
The Miami Redhawks (0-1, 0-0) had hoped for a better showing in week one. Being shut out by the Wisconsin Badgers, 17-0, was not the ideal result for head coach Chuck Martin’s squad.
The group that made the conference title game last year plans to push forward into the year, as in two consecutive weeks, they face an opponent of the Big Ten, this time being Rutgers.
A new opponent that the Red and Black have never encountered before this season. Let’s see if coach Martin has anything up his sleeve this time around.
If Ohio could give the Scarlet Knights a difficult time, who’s to say the Redhawks from Oxford, Ohio can’t do the same?
Akron vs. Nebraska
A 10-0 loss against the Wyoming Cowboys (1-0, 0-0) is one that the Akron Zips (0-1,0-0) would love to forget. Unfortunately, the difficulty will amplify with their week two foe.
For the first time since 1997, the Zips will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0, 0-0) of the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers lead the all-time series in dominating fashion, winning that ‘97 game, 59-14.
Akron looks to add its first points of the year this upcoming Saturday.
LIU Vs Eastern Michigan
Shifting gears to Ypsilanti, Mich. The Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-1, 0-0) came into the season ranked second in the recruiting class.
While their opening matchup against the Texas State Bobcats (1-0, 0-0) was less than stellar, losing 52-27. The young and inexperienced team still has a lot to prove, and they will be given plenty of chances.
Facing off against the Long Island Sharks (0-1, 0-0) for the first time in program history will be a great test. If there is any time for this young team to rebound, it’s this Saturday.
Ball State Vs. Auburn
Another team that faced a shutout in week one was the Ball State Cardinals (0-1, 0-0), a 31-0 blowout against the Big Ten’s Purdue Boilermakers (1-0, 0-0).
If the hill wasn’t already tough enough to climb, the Cardinals plan to fly down south to Auburn, Alabama, to play the Auburn Tigers (1-0, 0-0) of the South Eastern Conference (SEC).
The odds for the team led by senior quarterback Kaiel Kelly are not extremely high. This will be the first SEC opponent game for the Cardinals since 2022. They lost to the Tennessee Volunteers, 59-10.
Western Kentucky Vs. Toledo
The No.1 recruiting class of the conference looks to rebound after a tough showing against the Kentucky Wildcats (1-0, 0-0), 24-16. The only bright spot for the Rockets was the passing attack, led by senior quarterback Tucker Gleason.
Gleason recorded 23-40 on passing attempts, 270 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Those stat lines will need to improve if the Rockets want a fighting chance against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-0, 0-0), who sit at the top spot of the Conference USA.
North Texas Vs. Western Michigan
Sitting last in the standings is not the start you want, and the Western Michigan Broncos know this better than anyone.
Senior linebacker Tate Hallock was the only Bronco to score in the 23-6 loss against Michigan State (1-0, 0-0), with a pick-six late in the fourth quarter.
With the tough loss behind them, Western Michigan can look ahead to a new challenge. Facing off against the North Texas Mean Green. Like many other games this weekend featuring MAC teams, it will be the first-ever matchup of these two programs.
