By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog

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MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher sat down for another radio interview last weekend-- this time with the Ball State Radio Network. Steinbrecher talked about Sac State, the MAC's commitment to adding for strength and also teased a "not-too-distant" media deal: www.bythebelt.com/mid-american...

* Dru DeShields is a Wagon Wheel legend * The Southwick Jug lives! * Toledo has so many offensive weapons * Is Buffalo sneaking up on us as a contender? Those thoughts and more from Week 8 of #MACtion: www.bythebelt.com/monday-mac-m...

A madcaps second quarter highlighted the first conference clash between Ball State and Sacramento State, but it would be the hosting Cardinals who pulled away in the second half to take a 34-17 victory on Saturday afternoon: www.bythebelt.com/ball-state-c...

Wayne Harris' improvisational heroics and Dru DeShields' calm under pressure helped the Kent State Golden Flashes retain the Wagon Wheel on Saturday, defeating archrival Akron by a final score of 35-20: www.bythebelt.com/kent-state-g...

Both Toledo and Western Michigan needed a win on Saturday to stay atop the MAC table, and the game lived up to the hype. UT raced out to a 31-14 halftime lead, WMU went on a 24-7 run to tie it up late, and the Rockets found enough breaks for a 45-38 win: www.bythebelt.com/toledo-rocke...

Buffalo's electric league play continues, taking down Bowling Green 31-24 on the strength of halfback Messiah Burch, who rushed for 100+ yards for the fifth-straight game to help seal the victory on Saturday afternoon: www.bythebelt.com/buffalo-bull...

The Ohio Bobcats and Eastern Michigan Eagles put on a show Saturday afternoon, needing every last second on the clock to decide the game-- with Ohio clinching the 24-20 win on a late redzone stop to remain undefeated in MAC play: www.bythebelt.com/ohio-bobcats...

The game looked to be slipping away for Miami at the start of the third quarter after a pick-six and a vicious hit taken by QB Caleb Heavner. But he got right back up and played through the pain, leading Miami to a crucial 28-27 win over CMU on Saturday: www.bythebelt.com/miami-oh-red...

Central Michigan QB Angel Flores is out for the season after getting surgery to repair his ankle. (h/t Double C Sports)

The atmosphere in Hartford was electric ahead of the latest edition of the UGame, but UMass wound up shrinking under the lights, taking a tough 35-16 loss to the UConn Huskies on Friday night: www.bythebelt.com/umass-minute...

A battle of two unexpected 2-1 MAC teams is set for this Saturday, as the Bowling Green Falcons visit the Buffalo Bulls: www.bythebelt.com/bowling-gree...

Ball State. Sacramento State. You know what it is. It is, of course, a game between two teams in desperate need of a win to keep their dim postseason hopes alive: www.bythebelt.com/sacramento-s...

Not even a 5,500 gallon chemical spill will stop what could be the MAC game of the year between Toledo and Western Michigan. The Rockets have won 9 of 10 at home, while Broncos have won eight-straight vs. MAC teams. Buckle up... Title stakes are on the line: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

WAGON WHEEL WEEK! The hatred between Akron and Kent State is no secret. Now, the two Northeast Ohio programs compete for the Wagon Wheel this Saturday at Dix Stadium in a rivalry which has been 9-9 since 2008, 6-6 since 2014, and 2-2 since 2022: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

The UGame is finally here, and this year, the stakes feel as high as ever. UConn hopes to retain the Southwick Jug, while UMass-- with QB Pop Watson III potentially back in the line-up-- look to continue their march to a potential postseason bid: www.bythebelt.com/umass-minute...

The tie at the top of our Power Rankings from last week is still unresolved-- but below the top three, a wacky week of games has stirred the rest of the table: www.bythebelt.com/mac-football...

Former Toledo and Miami QB Dequan Finn has landed with the UFL's Columbus Aviators as a training camp invitee after participating in the league's showcase earlier this week.

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher had an interview with the Chippewa Radio Network over the weekend, discussing topics such as: * The 24-team Playoff ("not a huge fan") * potential conference expansion ("we never say never") * and other discussions around the NCAA: www.bythebelt.com/mac-commissi...

The Central Michigan Chippewas-- potentially down starting QB Angel Flores-- get set to host the Miami RedHawks and their potentially rejuvenated running game on Saturday afternoon in a game both teams really need to have: www.bythebelt.com/miami-oh-red...

The Akron Zips and San Jose State Spartans canceled a future football series last week, giving our own @omarrashonborja.bsky.social a chance to look back at one of the most successful periods of Zips football history: www.bythebelt.com/akron-zips-s...

The Puerto Rico Bowl, previously announced to include a MAC team vs. an at-large conference, has shifted affiliations. The bowl game is now scheduled for an ACC vs. Sun Belt match-up, per On3's Brett McMurphy.

Some old friend news: Former #MACtion legend and Heisman candidate QB Jordan Lynch is set to have his jersey retired at Northern Illinois this weekend.

It was a normal Tuesday presser until CMU head coach Matt Drinkall was asked about the 24-team College Football Playoff. After that followed 11 minutes of raw, unfiltered opinions which featured references to boxing, the Lorax and prostitution: www.bythebelt.com/matt-drinkal...

* Ball State/Bowling Green makes the case for MAC game of the year * Toledo, WMU and Ohio separate from the pack * ... and UMass takes another heart-breaking loss Those thoughts and more in this week's edition of Monday MAC Musings: www.bythebelt.com/monday-mac-m...

Kent State had a 2-0 lead in the second quarter and the ball on the 1-yard line-- but a fumbled snap on a QB sneak attempt turned the entire tide of the game, allowing USF to take the lead, and an eventual 29-2 victory: www.bythebelt.com/kent-state-o...

Welcome to the Andrew Zock Show. Toledo’s star defensive end registered 9 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and 9 QB pressures as the Rockets bounced back to crush Eastern Michigan 34-14: www.bythebelt.com/zock-dominat...

The Ohio Bobcats went on a business trip this weekend, taking out Sacramento State by a final score of 48-7 overnight to remain undefeated in conference play: www.bythebelt.com/ohio-bobcats...

Western Michigan's 21-0 lead against Central Michigan looked to be safe at the end of the third quarter, but the Chippewas stirred alive in all three phases in the fourth, forcing the Broncos to earn a 21-14 victory at the final whistle: www.bythebelt.com/western-mich...

Anyway, today was awesome, but amid all the upsets, we’re all forgetting the most important thing about college football. What truly makes this American institution so unique and special. Growing shareholder value.

Miami showed their full potential in a big way on Saturday afternoon, forcing four interceptions and running for 339 yards in a dominating 34-14 victory over the Akron Zips: www.bythebelt.com/miami-oh-red...

The Ball State Cardinals snapped a two-year road losing streak in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, with a touchdown as time expired in regulation and a two-point conversion to win 32-31 in OT against Bowling Green: www.bythebelt.com/ball-state-c...

One of the wackiest games of the 2026 MAC campaign took place in Buffalo this weekend, as the Bulls found enough breaks to survive in OT against UMass by a final score of 25-18: www.bythebelt.com/buffalo-bull...

The Buffalo Bulls and UMass Minutemen, both fielding backup QBs due to injuries, meet for a new-age MAC rivalry trophy game this Saturday, each looking to stay alive as a potential conference contender: www.bythebelt.com/buffalo-bull...

BGSU is looking to go 3-0 to start conference play for the first time since 2015, hosting the Ball State Cardinals this Saturday afternoon in an effort to keep pace in the race to Detroit: www.bythebelt.com/ball-state-c...

The Ohio Bobcats, with QB Nick Poulos back at the controls after a long absence, get set to travel to Sacramento to face the Hornets for a late-night excursion this weekend: www.bythebelt.com/ohio-bobcats...

Toledo aims to prove it remains a MAC contender, while Eastern Michigan has a chance to defend homefield and improve to 4-0 in conference play The MAC's top two passers will square off Saturday at The Factory: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

One of the MAC's most heralded rivalries is set to take place tomorrow afternoon, as Central Michigan hosts Western Michigan in the latest edition of the Battle for the Victory Cannon: www.bythebelt.com/western-mich...

We've got a tie for the top spot in our MAC Football Power Rankings this week, while a certain team has jumped four spots after a statement victory on Saturday: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

Kent State takes on South Florida this weekend at Raymond James Stadium for the first-ever meeting between the teams. Across the street is the former site of Tampa Stadium, which served as the launchpad for two NFL stars from KSU-- including a Hall-of-Famer: www.bythebelt.com/kent-state-f...

It's been awhile since Eastern Michigan football started 3-0 in MAC play. In fact, the last time the Eagles soared to such a start, Charlie Batch was still slinging the pill. More on that 1995 team, and where the 2026 teams stands: www.bythebelt.com/eastern-mich...

god bless whoever wins the chance to watch UB and umass football goof around from a FIELD LEVEL PONTOON BOAT

Imagine thinking the little guys are getting any of these new spots. I remember my first beer.

College football's NASCAR Moment has arrived. With a 24-team College Football Playoff on the horizon, the sport is officially at a crossroads between what the fans want and what the TV and conference executives say is best for the sport. COLUMN: www.bythebelt.com/college-foot...

We made a minor mistake in our CMU/WMU preview earlier tonight; the game will be the second time since 2019 the two teams will play on a Saturday. 2025's game was also on a Saturday. The article is fixed and a new post will be put up tomorrow. We regret the error, which was unintentional. -- James

#MACsketball Season is nearly here, and the national broadcast schedule for both men's and women's basketball 2026-27 campaign has been released! The MAC is expected to have a total of 25 games over both network partners: www.bythebelt.com/mid-american...