DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – One of the toughest Mid-Major conferences in NCAA Division I Bowl Championship Series, the MAC produces great football every season. Each year, the MAC could have a different champion due to the talent that is in the conference.

This year there is no difference in any other year as Miami (OH) is picked to win East Division and Northern Illinois the West Division. In the West Division, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and Eastern Michigan all represent Michigan. Central Michigan was given the highest rating in third place with 112 points and four first place votes. They were just 10 points behind Northern Illinois. Western Michigan followed in fourth place with 56 points and Eastern Michigan in fifth with 52 points.

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Last year it was a close race from top to bottom in the West Division as Northern Illinois and CMU tied for first place at 6-2. Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan all tied for fourth place with Ball State at 4-4. All the teams in the West Division finished with better records than four of the six teams in the East Division. Showing how tough the West Division is, five of the six programs played in bowl games. Both Western Michigan and Central Michigan won their respective games. WMU (8-5) defeated Nevada, 52-24, while Central Michigan (9-4) won, 24-21, over Pac-12 member Washington State.

The season kicks off on September 1 with the championship game at Ford Field on Saturday, December 3, at 12 p.m. on ESPN.