MAC Football Power Rankings: UMass Climbs to Top Spot for First Time This Season

The 2026 college football campaign is in full swing, and several MAC programs picked up marquee wins this weekend!

From conference debuts to non-conference finales, check out the 2026 MAC football power rankings following Week 4.

1. UMass Minutemen (4-0, 1-0)

   UMass moved to the top spot in the MAC power rankings for the first time this season following a 35-6 win at Sacramento State.

   The Minutemen are the conference’s only undefeated team with a 4-0 record as they search for their first-ever MAC title.

   Next: Eastern Michigan (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

2. Toledo Rockets (3-1, 0-0)

   Toledo climbed up a spot after making a statement with a 41-16 blowout over San Diego State last week, improving to 3-1 and securing a ninth straight win at home. The Rockets currently lead the MAC with 43.3 points and 468.0 total yards per game.

   Next: at Ball State (October 3 at 2:00 PM)

3. Western Michigan Broncos (2-2, 0-0)

   Western Michigan suffered a disappointing 32-7 loss to Boise State in what was billed as one of the biggest games of the season, but the Broncos fell flat. The Broncos should still be considered contenders, but a bit of wind was taken out of their sails.

   Next: at Buffalo (October 3 at 1:00 PM)

4. Miami (Ohio) Redhawks (2-2, 0-0)

   Miami (Ohio) bounced back from a gut-wrenching loss to rival Cincinnati the previous week by storming back from a 14-point deficit to secure a 24-21 win over UConn. The Redhawks were fueled by quarterback David McComb’s 312 passing yards.

   Next: Bowling Green (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

5. Ohio Bobcats (2-2, 0-0)

   Ohio had no problem getting back in the win column after a narrow loss at South Alabama, blowing past Stonehill 35-7 behind wide receiver Riley Neer’s season-high 113 receiving yards. The Bobcats are third in the MAC with 30.3 points per game.

   Next: at Kent State (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

6. Central Michigan Chippewas (2-2, 0-0)

   Central Michigan showed some fight early on, trailing just 7-3 at the end of the first quarter against No. 6 Miami last week, but then the floodgates opened, and the Chippewas suffered a 52-3 loss. Now, Central Michigan returns home to host Akron.

   Next: Akron (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

7. Buffalo Bulls (2-2, 0-0)

   Buffalo escaped with a 31-28 win over Robert Morris in a relatively underwhelming performance, but a win is a win, and the Bulls came out on top to snap a two-game losing skid. The Bulls are fifth in the conference with 157.0 rushing yards per game.

   Next: Western Michigan (October 3 at 1:00 PM)

8. Kent State Golden Flashes (2-2, 1-0)

   Kent State opened up MAC play with an impressive 26-13 win over Ball State behind quarterback Dru DeShields’ 265 total yards and three touchdowns. Now, Kent State will attempt to move up even further with a win over in-state rival Ohio this week.

   Next: Ohio (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

9. Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-3, 1-0)

   Eastern Michigan snapped a three-game losing streak with a 29-3 blowout win over Lindenwood as quarterback Noah Kim posted 257 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles are currently fourth in the MAC with 27.2 points allowed per game.

   Next: UMass (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

10. Akron Zips (1-3, 0-0)

    Akron lost its second consecutive game and didn’t put up much of a fight in a 38-10 loss to UNLV at home. The Zips simply don’t have an efficient enough offense to compete against quality opponents, and that’s been on full display in recent weeks.

    Next: at Central Michigan (October 3 at 3:30 PM)

11. Ball State Cardinals (1-3, 0-1)

    Ball State dug themselves into a hole by trailing Kent State 17-0 at halftime, and the Cardinals were just never able to get back into the game — falling 26-13 and dropping to 0-1 in MAC play. The Cardinals are last in the MAC in scoring defense.

    Next: Toledo (October 3 at 2:00 PM)

12. Sacramento State Hornets (1-4, 0-2)

    Sacramento State will get a week off before returning to the field with an opportunity to get the first MAC win in program history against Bowling Green on the following Saturday. The Hornets are 10th in the conference with 17.6 points per game.

    Next: at Bowling Green (October 10 at 12:00 PM)

13. Bowling Green Falcons (0-4, 0-0)

    Bowling Green has been simply abysmal on both sides of the ball, averaging only 8.3 points and giving up 36.3 points per game. There’s no doubt that the Falcons are the worst team in the MAC as conference play continues to kick into high gear.

    Next: at Miami (Ohio) (October 3 at 3:30 PM)