The Mid-American Conference takes center stage in the college football world Tuesday night, commencing a month-long series of weeknight games known as Midweek MACtion. The conference recognizes 1999 as the origin
date of Midweek MACtion, but the annual spectacle started receiving increased popularity in the early 2010s with some thrilling 2011 shootouts, Jordan Lynch’s 2013 Heisman campaign, and social media as contributing factors.
Here at Hustle Belt, we’ve watched the MAC since Bowling Green fielded the opening kickoff for a touchdown on Thursday, Aug. 28, all the way up through Western Michigan’s thrilling victory over Central Michigan on Saturdays. We recognize that many viewers will be tuning in for the first time this Tuesday.
So whether you’re a diehard or a casual, here are 10 things to know about the 2020 MAC before the midweek festivities begin:
1. Miami (OH) dominates conference games
When it comes to defeating other conference opponents, nobody in the MAC does it quite like the Miami RedHawks. Miami is the lone team sporting an undefeated conference record as the calendar flips to November, winning all four games against MAC competition — and winning all four by multiple scores. This is nothing new for head coach Chuck Martin and his program. Miami has won 20 of its last 22 regular season MAC games, qualifying for the MAC Championship Game in 2023 (defeating Toledo) and 2024 (losing to Ohio). The RedHawks are on pace to become the first team to punch a ticket to Detroit for three-straight MAC title games since Northern Illinois and Bowling Green squared off against each other each season from 2013-15.
Miami started 0-3 for the second consecutive season, but what happens in conference play is no concern to the RedHawks. Martin is 9-1 in his last 10 November games and 24-6 in his last 30. The RedHawks replaced all 11 offensive starters, but they thrive on the continuity of a coaching staff and player development, which makes them a perennial contender.
2. Parker Navarro is a substantially improved passer
Entering 2025, Parker Navarro was unquestionably the MAC’s most recognizable name. The Ohio quarterback guided the Bobcats to a 2024 league title, doing so with his dual-threat abilities — that were well-documented to the nation by Timothée Chalamet on College GameDay. Navarro threw for 2,423 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,054 and an additional 18 scores. The quarterback’s rushing numbers took a dip as he still eyes his first 100-yard game of the season, but through the eye test, it’s clear he is as dynamic of a mobile quarterback as there is in the MAC.
But what makes Navarro more dangerous in 2025 is his improved passing ability. He’s improved his efficiency, increased his touchdown rate, and cut down on interceptions, becoming much more capable of leading the Bobcats through the air. The senior averages 37 more passing yards per game this year at 223.3, fresh off a career-high 315 vs. Eastern Michigan on Oct. 25. And you can’t mention Ohio’s passing game without shouting out Chase Hendricks, who stepped into a No. 1 receiver role and ranks fifth in the FBS in receptions (57) and receiving yards (805).
3. Kent State and Akron are no longer pushovers
Welcome back, Wagon Wheel rivals. There have been many years of futility for Akron and Kent State, two nearby Northwest Ohio rivals that each have exactly one bowl win to their name throughout their history. Akron hasn’t won more than four games since 2017. Excluding Sean Lewis’ run from 2019-22, Kent State hasn’t exceeded three wins since 2013. Yet heading into Midweek MACtion, both teams are much improved versions of themselves.
Akron sits at 3-6 and 2-3 in conference play, notably taking two two teams above .500 overall — Central Michigan and Buffalo. Meanwhile, Kent State — which went 1-23 the past two seasons and hadn’t won an FBS game since 2022 until October — is 3-5 overall and an even 2-2 in the MAC standings. The Golden Flashes defeated UMass by 36 and stormed back from 18 down to defeat Bowling Green, two results which allowed Mark Carney to shed his interim label and become the full-time head coach. Bowl eligibility may be difficult, but both Wagon Wheel rivals enter Midweek MACtion with the confidence they can compete with just about anybody in the league.
4. Red Murdock is the MAC’s best player
This one comes as no surprise considering what he accomplished last year. Buffalo inside linebacker Red Murdock ranked second in the FBS in tackles with 156, only trailing his own teammate Shaun Dolac in the category. Murdock also led the FBS in forced fumbles with seven a season ago. This year, Dolac is second in the category, producing six forced fumbles across the last six games alone. With 17 in his career, he just passed former Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack to become the MAC’s all-time forced fumbles leader.
But Murdock is more than just a turnover savant — he’s a complete player. He ranks first in the FBS in tackles with 105 at the moment, tallying 12+ in five of nine games with a season-high of 17. The potential All-American has 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as two forced fumbles in a loaded stat-line. When tuning into Buffalo, make sure to focus on No. 2 on the defense at all times. If not, he’ll make you pay attention, because it’s hard to miss somebody involved on nearly every play.
5. Western Michigan is now a defensive juggernaut
Entering Midweek MACtion, Western Michigan is tied with Buffalo for second place in the MAC, with its lone loss coming to the conference leader Miami. The Broncos attained a higher stage than any conference peer in the College Football Playoff era, reaching the 2016 Cotton Bowl after a 13-0 start. Surprisingly, Western Michigan never built on that magical season, still devoid of a return trip to the MAC Championship Game nine years later.
This year’s Broncos, which started 0-3, are legitimate contenders, and it’s all because of the defense. Signs were evident even during the 0-3 start as Western Michigan shut out Michigan State’s offense in the second half in Week 1, held North Texas’ No. 2 FBS scoring offense to a season-low 27 regulation points in a Week 2 overtime finish, and limited Illinois to 10 in the first half the following week. In the six games following, Miami (26) and Central Michigan (21) are the only team to break 17 on the Broncos since. Western Michigan’s 19.0 points per game scoring defense ranks 23rd nationally, and it’s tied for eighth per game in sacks with 8.2. The defensive line is absolutely stacked with Houston transfer Nadame Tucker serving as the MAC’s ultimate breakout player, leading the league with 15.0 tackles for loss in addition to his team-high 9.5 sacks. Four different d-linemen have at least 4.5 sacks, including Marcel Tyler who intercepted the game-winner to defeat Central Michigan last Saturday.
6. NIU games are an ugly war of attrition
Football is a game of different styles. Remember early 2010s Big 12 football where Patrick Mahomes could throw for 700 yards, Texas Tech could drop 50 points, and a win wasn’t even expected? Well, Northern Illinois is the exact opposite of that. The Huskies have played this style for a while, but the 2025 iteration of NIU is taking a lack of offense and a dynamic defense to the extreme. They muck up every game, getting opposing offenses off-schedule and creating the least aesthetic competition possible.
Some NIU scores this year — a 20-9 loss to Maryland, a 6-3 loss to San Diego State (lowest-scoring game since October 2023), a 16-10 loss to Eastern Michigan, and a 21-7 win over Ball State. The Huskies rank third-to-last in scoring offense at 13.4 points per game, and they generate just about all their production through the run game. Defensively, NIU is comprised of sound, fundamental tacklers and extraordinary coverage specialists, ranking top 50 in scoring defense and total defense despite a 2-6 record. The Huskies have scored 20 points just twice this year (peaking at 21), but five of eight opponents notched 20 or fewer.
7. There are two different Toledos
Toledo is the clear-cut best team in the MAC… but only when its at home. At home, the Rockets are 4-0, averaging 48.8 points and 539 yards per game. On the road, the Rockets are 0-4, averaging 14.8 points and 334 yards per game. They’ve won their four home matchups by a combined score of 195-34, blowing out 7-2 Western Kentucky along with conference foes Akron and Kent State. On the road, the defense — led by a highly-functional secondary — typically does its job, but the offense is unrecognizable outside of the Glass Bowl.
Toledo squandered a 13-0 lead to lose 14-13 at Western Michigan and a 21-0 lead to lose 28-23 at Bowling Green (Bowling Green took an intentional safety on the final play). Exactly two home and two road games loom for Toledo to solve this trend and figure out how to make the road offense match the home offense. With veteran quarterback Tucker Gleason and star wide receiver Junior Vandeross III, it’s no question Jason Candle has the personnel to thrive offensively on a weekly basis.
8. Central Michigan doesn’t need to pass
Central Michigan hired Matt Drinkall as head coach over the offseason. Drinkall spent the six previous seasons as an assistant coach at Army, primarily working with the tight ends and offensive line. There is one key trait he adopted from Army — you don’t have to pass the ball to win. And it’s working. Central Michigan is 5-4, already tying its best season since 2021 with three games remaining on the schedule.
The Chippewas pass fewer than any non-option based offense in the FBS at 16.9 attempts per game, only ranking ahead of Rice, Air Force, Navy, and Army. Central Michigan recently enjoyed a two-game stretch where it threw 18 combined passes and handled Bowling Green and UMass by an aggregate score of 65-19. The Chippewas were neck-and-neck with Western Michigan a week ago in a contest where they only tested the air 12 times. When healthy (Angel Flores is currently dealing with an injury), Central Michigan employs a two-QB system of the more passing-oriented Joe Labas and the more mobile-oriented Flores, and the results have been mainly favorable. But overall, this offense is a physical ground attack that thrives on the concept of lowering the pads and running through opponents.
9. UMass remains on quest for a win
There are two remaining winless FBS teams heading into November. One is Sam Houston of Conference USA. The other is UMass. After a brief football-only membership run from 2012-15, the Minutemen rejoined the MAC this year but have not adjusted well to their new conference. UMass is 0-8, most notably dropping a September stunner to FCS opponent Bryant, which is 1-7 against FCS competition this year.
The Minutemen aren’t frankly close to breaking through. They’ve dealt with an entire CVS receipt of injuries all year, especially at the skill positions and within the secondary. UMass lost six of its seven FBS matchups by at least 18 points, and the one time it came close against Buffalo, it suffered one of the collapses of the season, making the presumed game-winning interception with 59 seconds left and then trailing with 19 seconds remaining after a nightmare sequence of events. In order to avoid a losing season, UMass faces the November slate of Akron, Northern Illinois, Ohio, and Bowling Green, awaiting win No. 1 of the Joe Harasymiak era.
10. Everybody loves Pudge
Perhaps the most recognizable MAC icon in 2025 isn’t a player or a coach but 3-year exotic shorthair Persian cat named Pudge. Pudge belongs to Bowling Green long snapper George Carlson, who brought the cat to improve the morale of injured players during fall camp. After the cat went viral on wide receiver Finn Hogan’s TikTok, Pudge became a national sensation. He has his own security detail and even travels to road games, meeting stars such as Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.
Pudge hosts meet-and-greets and is a significant reason Bowling Green’s attendance skyrocketed this year. The Falcons brought in over 23,000 fans to their 24,000-seat stadium in three home games this year, featuring one of the highest percent attendance increases in the FBS. Pudge will certainly be no stranger to camera time during the Midweek MACtion broadcasts as the unofficial mascot of Bowling Green, the MAC, and college football in general.
