It is never too early to talk about some MAC-tion as the Mid-American Conference got things rolling with its own edition of football media days in Detroit.
The 12 league members will all have their turn to talk about the upcoming season, set to kick off in Week Zero when Ohio University and San Diego State get things started.
The league released its conference preseason coaches poll on Thursday morning and a pair of teams out of the state of Ohio top the rankings in the East and West respectively.
MAC East
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1. | Ohio (9) | 63 |
| 2. | Miami (2) | 52 |
| 3. | Buffalo (1) | 51 |
| 4. | Bowling Green | 35 |
| 5. | Akron | 26 |
| 6. | Kent State | 19 |
The Bobcats of Ohio are coming off of a 10-4 record last season and a 7-1 conference run that saw OU come up short against Toledo in a 17-7 decision.
OU will be led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a key piece that was not in the lineup for the MAC Championship Game in 2022, after an ACL tear.
Both Miami and Buffalo are getting support, each garnering first-place votes and separated by just one point in the scoring system.
MAC West
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1. | Toledo (11) | 66 |
| 2. | Eastern Michigan (1) | 55 |
| 3. | Northern Illinois | 38 |
| 4. | Central Michigan | 37 |
| 5. | Ball State | 27 |
| 6. | Western Michigan | 23 |
Toledo is picked to repeat as west champions with 11 of the 12 first place votes going to the Rockets. Jason Candle’s squad went 9-5 in the 2022 season and had a win both in the conference championship game over OU but also a big bowl win over Liberty, 21-19.
Eastern Michigan should be the biggest threat in the West with the lone remaining first-place vote. Toledo edged out EMU last season in a three-point win at Eastern and will benefit from hosting the Eagles at the Glass Bowl in 2023.
Champs: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)
Coaches feel that Toledo will defend its title with seven of the 12 votes going to the Rockets with four going to the Bobcats and a lone vote going to Buffalo, a team picked third in its own division by the consensus of coaches.
