2026 MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 7

Hello everyone and welcome back!

The weeknight lights are ever-closer, with teams starting to discover who they are at the season's mid-point. The bottom of the league has been shuffling around as their performance has gotten more volatile, making the relative stability at the top all the more intriguing.

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

13. Sacramento State Hornets (LW: 12, down 1)

• Unanimous #13

Well, it finally happened: the Hornets discover themselves at the bottom of our Power Rankings in unanimous fashion. I sound like a broken record when I say transition years are brutal, but this one has been particularly brutal, taking a sobering 48-7 loss to the Ohio Bobcats at home last week. Ohio has been one of the premiere programs in the MAC for nearly 20 years after decades of mediocrity prior. They're a blueprint for how a team at this level despite a rough patch of history; Sacramento State leadership might be wise to take some notes.

12. Akron Zips (LW: 11, down 1)

• High vote: 11 (once)
• Low vote: 12 (four)
• Average vote: 11.8

The Zips took another tough double-digit loss, this time to the Miami RedHawks. Much like their game against Central Michigan a few weeks back, Akron lost this one with a combination of costly turnovers on offense and the inability to stop the run game on defense. The RedHawks had their best rushing game in eight years last week after struggling to reach 90 yards on average going in, while Brayden Roggow tossed four nasty interceptions– including a pick-six directly to a linebacker and an ill-advised pitch play on a scramble avoiding pressure. At this point in the season, there's nothing for Akron to hang their hats on. Even knowing the season has been affected by injury, it's hard to see how the team will find success unless there's major, program-altering changes.

11. Ball State Cardinals (LW: 13, up 2)

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

The Cardinals were the main characters in one of the most entertaining MAC regular-season games of the decade on Saturday, converting two huge late-game opportunities to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Bowling Green. Ball State was the dominant team over most of the game, holding a 17-10 lead late in the fourth quarter before the Falcons produced a furious comeback, scoring 14 points in 11 seconds to claim a 24-17 lead with under two minutes remaining. Keldric Luster shined, finding Eli Holdt on the run for a had-to-have it TD at the last moment of regulation and then firing a rocket into the hands of Alex Scherle for a walk-off two-point conversion. It's BSU's first MAC win, and they got it in dramatic fashion. They've been close a few times; it was nice to finally see them go wire-to-wire.

10. Bowling Green Falcons (LW: 9, down 1)

• High vote: 8 (once)
• Low vote: 11 (once)
• Average vote: 9.8

Speaking of Bowling Green, it was a frustrating contest with Ball State, as they struggled to move the ball consistently, scoring 10 points in the second quarter and seven points in the fourth. BG also needed a defensive touchdown to remain alive, with Kal-El Pascal's punch-out returned by D'kyah Banks– his second in as many weeks. It's a double-edged sword; the score is indeed good to have, but the fact BG has to rely on those types plays to stay competitive is an indictment of the offense's inability to finish drives. Their pass rush defense, third in the league in sacks, was also stonewalled against one of the worst OL units in the MAC. Lots to be concerned about here.

9. Kent State Golden Flashes (LW: 10, up 1)

• High vote: 8 (twice)
• Low vote: 10 (once)
• Average vote: 8.8

Can't help but wonder how that game against South Florida would have gone if Kent State scored the touchdown on that goal-line QB sneak early on. Kent State was having their way with the Bulls at that point, and even got a defensive safety to get the scoring account started. But the center botched the snap, and USF returned it 96 yards the other way– a 14-point swing KSU was never able to recover from. It's still impossible to know what Flashes team you're getting on a week-to-week basis, but one thing that is apparent is that Dru DeShields has lost a step and it is clearly affecting the offense.

8. UMass Minutemen (LW: 8)

• High vote: 7 (twice)
• Low vote: 9 (once)
• Average vote: 7.8

UMass looked pretty froggy against Buffalo in last week's action, even with third-string QB Logan Inagawa at the controls. Down their top two receivers and their top halfback, the offense still managed 18 points on the afternoon in a game where special teams was the ultimate decider. Were it not for two missed field goals by Derek Morris from long distance, there's the potential this was a UMass win instead (since the game was at the totally-normal 18-18 at the end of regulation). Even despite dropping so many MAC games, there's a lot to like here. This team is playing hard for Joe Harasymiak and could get some key pieces back for a stretch run to the postseason.

7. Central Michigan Chippewas (LW: 7)

• High vote: 7 (three)
• Low vote: 8 (twice)
• Average vote: 7.7

Central took another bad loss, this time to Western Michigan. Home turf was not a savior this time, as the Chippewas lost on familiar grounds for just the second time under head coach Matt Drinkall's tenure. It was a serious case of deja vu, as much like in their game against Ohio, CMU struggled with short drives on offense and allowed long, sustained drives on defense to fall behind by multiple scores to early– eventually needing to play off-schedule to dig themselves out of the hole in the second half to pretty up the scoreboard. Now their best player on offense, QB Angel Flores, might be out with a concussion this week. They're on delicate ground if they lose this week, as it would be a third-straight loss in MAC play.

6. Eastern Michigan Eagles (LW: 4, down 2)

• High vote: 5 (once)
• Low vote: 6 (four)
• Average vote: 5.8

Eastern Michigan was thoroughly humbled by Toledo at The Factory last weekend, receiving a first-half drubbing to the tune of 31-7 at the halftime break before falling 34-14 to the Rockets. EMU walked into the game with an unblemished 3-0 record in league play– though it was against Sac State, Akron and UMass. Last week's game, then, was meant to be a test of their legitimacy in the title race. At least for now, they have failed. It's only one loss, but they're past the weak part of their schedule and it doesn't get easier, with Ohio and WMU in back-to-back weeks under the weeknight lights still looming.

5. Miami RedHawks (LW: 5)

• High vote: 5 (four)
• Low vote: 6 (once)
• Average vote: 5.2

The RedHawks have seemingly started to pivot their strategy moving forward, using the Akron Zips as a test run in what was a vociferous 34-14 victory. Miami, under third-string QB Caleb Heavner, has gone away from the explosive pass game we had previously seen under David McComb and opted to go for the ground control route, leaning on halfback Rodney Nelson more. For at least one week, it has paid dividends, as the RedHawks ran for 339 yards and two touchdowns on the day. This game was very reminiscent of classic Chuck Martin teams of the past, depending on field position, time of possession and special teams to carry them through. They still have that tough loss to BGSU to start the campaign, but the weeknights are nearly here, and Miami has proven they can win under the lights.

4. Buffalo Bulls (LW: 6, up 2)

• High vote: 3 (once)
• Low vote: 4 (four)
• Average vote: 3.8

Buffalo has been a pleasant surprise considering their play in the first month or so of the season. They now have their second-straight MAC victory after taking down UMass in overtime in one of the wackier games of the 2026 campaign. Their ranking is certainly helped by a blowout of Toledo in earlier play, but the Bulls have also earned their place with a tough defense. UB has allowed only 14 points and 329 offensive yards per game since the start of league play, and have four turnovers (interception, three fumble recoveries) while giving up only two in the same stretch. We've got our eye on them; if they can beat BGSU handily, this team might be for real.

3. Toledo Rockets (LW: 3)

• High vote: 2 (three)
• Low vote: 4 (once)
• Average vote: 2.6

The Rockets exorcised their demons against Eastern Michigan after taking a shocking loss in their previous action, dominating the Eagles on both sides of the ball despite being on the road. What really stands out (besides the 31 points in the first half) was the performance of defensive end Andrew Zock. It's honestly surprising he isn't getting more love on the national media front, especially considering he was awarded the Buck Buchanan Award for best defensive player at the FCS level last season. Zock has 41 tackles, 10 TFLs, seven sacks on the year, along with a simply ludicrous 15 QB hurries through seven games– including nine just this week. He's an easy candidate for MAC Defensive Player of the Year and could even knock on the door for national awards if he keeps this pace up.

t-1. Ohio Bobcats (LW: t-1)

• High vote: 1 (twice)
• Low vote: 3 (once)
• Average vote: 1.8

Ohio took care of business, as expected, against Sacramento State, going into the deep reserves well before the start of the fourth quarter. It was never close from the opening kick, with hometown boy Nick Poulos finishing 78.6 percent of his passes and getting pulled in the third quarter, while the rushing offense went over, through and around the Hornets defense, accumulating 265 yards rushing and five touchdowns. They're still undefeated, and now they're nearly completely healthy. That's dangerous.

t-1. Western Michigan Broncos (LW: t-1)

• High vote: 1 (three)
• Low vote: 3 (twice)
• Average vote: 1.8

Western Michigan looked like they were going to bludgeon their rival Central last weekend, but they let off the gas in all three phases, allowing the Chippewas to get back into the contest and nearly force the game into overtime in the waning moments of the fourth quarter– despite WMU being up 21-0. There was a lot of positive to take away, as Jalen Buckley once again went over the century mark in rushing yards while Broc Lowry tossed a touchdown on fourth-and-one in the CMU redzone to dictate the game's pace. The second half was a little concerning, but they managed to hold CMU at arm's length over most of the contest, and even then, CMU's execution on the onsides kick was essentially perfect. Sometimes ya just lose those. They're undefeated and the heavy favorite for the MAC, but they've had a lot of close calls too. It'll be something to monitor going forward.

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!