MAC Football: New Scheduling Model Explained

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced this week that the Mid-American Conference will move to a new football scheduling model, starting with the 2024

© Nicholas McLaughlin / USA TODAY NETWORK

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced this week that the Mid-American Conference will move to a new football scheduling model, starting with the 2024 season.

“After significant study and discussion, our membership has made the decision to eliminate divisions in football,” said Steinbrecher. “A primary goal in our discussions centered around ensuring the scheduling methodology utilized facilitated the best opportunity to put the two best teams into the championship game. The new model will protect rivalries while facilitating a more even rotation of teams through each institution’s schedule.”

In future editions of the MAC title game, the top two teams in the league based on conference winning percentage will compete in the MAC Football Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. Previously, the winner of the East Division had played the West Division in the title game.

In the new model, each MAC team will face all 11 other conference opponents home and away at least once during a three-year cycle. Additionally, the new format will incorporate protected opponents based on geographic location and rivalries.

All 12 members will be guaranteed two conference opponents every season. Steinbrecher announced the following four three-team pods. Each team  will play the other two teams in their pod once per regular season.

1. Akron, Buffalo, Kent State
2. Ball State, Miami (OH), Ohio
3. Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo
4. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan

Look for the full MAC schedule to be released in the first two months of 2024.