Led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley, the Western Michigan Broncos have been selected as favorites to win both the regular season crown and Mid-American Conference Football Championship Game title in the 2026 Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll. According to the MAC press release, head coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves in the poll.
The Broncos, who captured the 2025 MAC Football title, received nine first-place votes to claim the regular-season championship, while Miami, which has appeared in three straight MAC Championship Games, was picked to finish second and received four first-place votes.
The Toledo Rockets were selected third, while Ohio and Central Michigan rounded out the top five.
Football season kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 29, and concludes with the 2026 MAC Football Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Noon ET on ESPN.
A complete list of the MAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll can be found below.
2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
First-place votes in ( ) | *Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Western Michigan (9) – 138 points
2. Miami (4) – 134 points
3. Toledo – 115 points
4. Ohio – 107 points
5. Central Michigan – 101 points
6. Buffalo – 81 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
8. Kent State – 64 points
9. Bowling Green – 59 points
10. Akron – 52 points
11. Ball State – 34 points
12. Sacramento State – 28 points
13. Massachusetts – 25 points
MAC Title Game Champion: Western Michigan – 9; Miami – 4