MAC/MIAMI FOOTBALL

WMU first, Miami second in preseason coaches poll

CLEVELAND, OH -- Miami ranked second in this year's  preseason MAC Football Coaches poll, according to a release by the league Wednesday morning. 

Western Michigan, which defeated MU in last year's title game and has a very strong group of returnees, took the top spot with 138 votes, Miami, meanwhile, is integrating more portal and/or 2025 backup talent. The RedHawks totaled 134 points. 
Perennial contenders Toledo (115 points) and Ohio (107 points) were third and fourth. Both enter 2026 with new head coach, albeit Ohio promoted from within its staff. 

Miami has been . . .

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​to three straight championship games, defeating Toledo in 2023 before falling to Ohio (2024) and Western Michigan (2025). ​

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