2025 MAC college football projections, preview

Summary

In all, eight MAC teams (including four with new head coaches) rank in the bottom 18 in returning production. UMass returns to the MAC with a new coach (former Rutgers assistant Joe Harasymiak) and almost no expectations, and four of the bottom five slots in the recent SP+ projections went to MAC teams. There are fewer questions on defense, where Kehres' unit has averaged a 55.0 defensive SP+ ranking over the last three seasons. NIU has averaged a top-40 defensive SP+ ranking over the last two seasons but basically returns 2.5 starters on that side of the ball. Still, Creighton brought in seven defensive transfers (plus four JUCOs) to assure a rebound for a unit that collapsed from 67th to 115th in defensive SP+.

Additional Summaries

The 2025 college football season is poised for a mix of rebuilding efforts and competitive strides, with several FBS programs either returning to prominence or looking to improve from recent challenges. Teams like UCF, Air Force, and USC are expected to maintain mid-tier competitiveness thanks to strong defenses and recruitment pipelines, while UMass and Kent State present significant opportunities to make substantial improvements under new coaches or with strategic additions. The season promises a dynamic landscape filled with potential for both rebuilding and growth.