2026 MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 5

Hello everyone and welcome back!

Week 5 proved to be a bit of a "shuffle week" after a number of unexpected results. Even those we might have expected to be wins for one side ended up being closer than they appeared, showing off just how much parity there is in the current MAC.

Now we look forward to the second week of October games, with the weeknight slate getting ever closer.

With that in mind, it's about time to see where every team stands:

13. Sacramento State Hornets (LW: 10, down 3)

• High vote: 10 (twice)
• Low vote: 13 (twice)
• Average vote: 11.4

The Hornets were on a BYE week after playing five-straight games from Week 0 onwards. Their last outing against UMass wasn't particularly encouraging, while others at the bottom of the rankings had chances to prove their levels of competition against their conference peers. Sac State, sitting at 1-4 with two MAC losses, is not well-positioned for the future as far as the conference race.

12. Ball State Cardinals (LW: 11, down 1)

• High vote: 9 (once)
• Low vote: 13 (twice)
• Average vote: 11.2

Ball State was pretty chippy at the start of their game against Toledo, leading over much of the first half, but one crucial mistake late in the first half begot a bevy of them in what would ultimately be a solid Toledo win. That's been the case for the Cards in a lot of games this year, a pattern which surely has to frustrate fans, coaches and players alike. These are the growing pains of a complete rebuild.

11. Bowling Green Falcons (LW: 13, up 2)

• High vote: 8 (once)
• Low vote: 13 (once)
• Average vote: 10.8

The Falcons played their most complete game of the 2026 campaign against the Miami RedHawks last weekend, dominating the trenches to the tune of six sacks (with Eriq George accounting for three) and finishing a crucial, game-winning drive in the waning minutes to get their first win of the season. It's likely too late for this season's ambitions, but if they can build on last week's performance, there's reason to be optimistic. Shoutout to QB Jay Kastantin, who had a season-best 305 passing yards and two passing TDs on a 67 percent completion rate to lead the team downfield.

t-9. Buffalo Bulls (LW: 12, up 3)

• High vote: 9 (once)
• Low vote: 12 (twice)
• Average vote: 10.6

The Bulls showed signs of life last weekend after some questionable performances so far in the 2026 campaign, forcing Western Michigan to earn a hard-fought 20-17 win on the road. It's still a loss in the record books for Buffalo, which is less-than-ideal considering they only have two FCS wins to point to for progress. That said, they might be onto something with their re-dedication to the run game (47 carries for 135 yards). If there's one thing which will bother me– and I'm sure it bothered UB fans too– is the play design on that fourth-and-goal call which ultimately decided the game. It will be a game management decision that is poured over in self-evaluation this week.

t-9. Akron Zips (LW: 9)

• High vote: 8 (once)
• Low vote: 12 (three)
• Average vote: 10.6

Akron's engine stuttered into gear a couple times early against the Chippewas, even landing the early 7-0 lead, but eventually the car ran into a ditch, as the Zips were shredded defensively to the tune of 332 rushing yards and six total touchdowns allowed (four rushing, two passing) in a blowout loss. To continue the car analogy, the wheels have really fallen off for Akron in recent weeks, as injuries at several key positions– especially at QB– have decidedly wrecked their potential. There's still decent talent here, but one more heavy loss and they're likely at a point of no return.

8. Kent State Golden Flashes (LW: 9, up 1)

• High vote: 7 (once)
• Low vote: 9 (once)
• Average vote: 8

Kent State has certainly pulled themselves out of the muck and the mire, which is good. They have been a decidedly more competitive outfit under Mark Carney than in recent years as well. In fact, Kent State gave Ohio fits last week. However, they simply could not take advantage, with two special teams miscues playing a large role in handing the win to the Bobcats. First, a muffed punt which gave Ohio a re-try to score early points. Then, allowing a blocker through to get a hand on Kent State's attempt at a game-winning field goal. That lack of discipline has been discouraging to see for this unit, which does have great potential.

t-6. Central Michigan Chippewas (LW: 6)

• High vote: 4 (once)
• Low vote: 7 (twice)
• Average vote: 5.8

As mentioned earlier, Central Michigan absolutely wallopped Akron last week, but let's talk about it from their perspective. CMU had by far their most effective day in the pass game, with over 200 yards and two touchdowns on the day– including an absolute stunner from 70+ yards out by Langston Lewis. The defense also had a god performance, forcing Akron's Brayden Roggow into three interceptions– including two late and one in the endzone– while also collecting three sacks. It was a complete performance in all three phases, and now they have a chance to prove their MAC mettle against a potentially healthy Ohio squad on the road.

t-6. Eastern Michigan Eagles (LW: 7, up 1)

• High vote: 4 (twice)
• Low vote: 9 (once)
• Average vote: 5.8

The last two weeks have seen the Eagles start to figure out aspects of their offense which bothered them in the non-conference part of the season, namely their inability to produce offensively in the second half. That was no such problem against UMass, as the Eagles found three touchdowns and a field goal in them in the final 30 minutes to break the tendency. What made it more impressive was they did it without Nick Deveraux, one of their leading receivers. EMU's defense also dominated for a second week in a row, limiting UMass' potent offense to just over 300 total yards. Could this be the year EMU makes a dark horse run?

t-4. UMass Minutemen (LW: 5, up 1)

• High vote: 5 (twice)
• Low vote: 6 (three)
• Average vote: 5.6

Speaking of UMass, they looked like they weren't quite ready for the spotlight on Saturday. That'll happen for a program which has, since their promotion, been largely in the shadows of the grander college football operation. You have to learn to win first before you start to win consistently, and for UMass, they're still very much learning. Their next game will likely be a harbinger for UMass' postseason fate; a win would net then five total (including two conference wins), putting them in prime position for the bowl season for the first time ever. That's the overarching goal right now, and it's a damn good one, even if they do fall short of a potential MAC title run.

t-4. Miami RedHawks (LW: 4)

• High vote: 3 (three)
• Low vote: 9 (once)
• Average vote: 5.6

The vibes around the RedHawks aren't that great right now, even though they're still highly-regarded and in a very good position for the most part. They're down to third-string quarterback Caleb Heavner, and their traditionally-strong run game has lagged behind its usual paces. Not to mention they've given up a lot of explosive plays on defense and special teams (another traditional strong point) has been shaky as well. Their loss to Bowling Green brought those issues to the fore, and now the RedHawks find themselves looking in the mirror five weeks into the season. It'll be possible to make a bowl game even with the current strife, but they can't afford to lose much more if they want their title hopes to remain alive.

3. Ohio Bobcats (LW: 3)

• High vote: 2 (twice)
• Low vote: 4 (twice)
• Average vote: 2.8

Ohio managed to survive and advance in their MAC play opener, sneaking out of Kent State with a win on a blocked field goal attempt. They had to do so with third-string QB Levi Davis entering late in place of Matt Vezza, who was held as a precaution after picking up a knock. They won the game primarily in part to the strength of the run game, as Victor Rosa picked up 86 yards while Vezza had a rushing touchdown and a long run of 35 yards. It was much-needed, as the pass game struggled, with 72 total air yards against a game KSU secondary. Ohio has shown the ability to win in multiple ways in 2026, whether with the pass, the run or on defense. That's an encouraging sign as the bulk of MAC play approaches.

2. Western Michigan Broncos (LW: 2)

• High vote: 1 (twice)
• Low vote: 3 (twice)
• Average vote: 2

The Broncos have looked pretty mortal since their controversial game against Michigan, with two of their three FBS contests since coming down to a score or less. Teams have keyed in on their ability to run and forced WMU into having to figure out more passing options, while the defense continues to be a work-in-progress. They haven't quite been the same without Micah Davis in the secondary. However, this is the Broncos. The sheer amount of talent on the roster puts them in potential MAC favorite territory. Strange results like the game against Buffalo can happen sometimes; what will be key is if the Broncos can find a new bend on what has worked for them in the past.

1. Toledo Rockets (LW: 1)

• High vote: 1 (three)
• Low vote: 2 (twice)
• Average vote: 1.4

Toledo just can't stop winning, finding a way to swim through some initial adversity before turning on the afterburners against a beleaguered Ball State squad. As of publication, Toledo is #1 in the conference in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense, total defense, rushing defense, passing defense and scoring defense. Hard to argue with them being up top at this point. This was a crucial win for the Rockets' morale; it was their first road win of 2026, and a game that in the past, UT may have struggled to finish off. This was a true test of the new culture, and they passed with flying colors.

For transparency, here is our anonymous chart for this week. Did we get it right? Did we miss the mark? Let us know on Twitter @ByTheBelt, over on Bluesky at bythebelt.bsky.social, or in the comments section below!