Best MAC Programs of the 2010s
Which MAC Program Won the 2010s?
This was something I composed while I was missing football and the 2020 season was seemingly cancelled. It is a pretty good list with fair rankings and an actual formula attached to it for objectivity. The formula is simple
- 1 point for a win
- 5 points for going at least .500 in MAC play
- 10 points for a making a bowl and losing
- 20 points for making a bowl and winning
- 20 points for beating a P5 team
- 25 points for finishing in the Top 25
- 30 points for making the MAC Championship and losing
- 60 points for making the MAC Championship and winning
The idea behind those numbers is pretty straightforward. Winning the MAC is the goal of every team, every year. Therefore winning a championship and winning the division should be highly rewarded. Winning bowl games and beating P5 teams brings prestige to the conference so they are a solid 20 points a piece. Same goes for finishing ranked which is worth 25. I thought about making P5 wins even more points but did not want to over scale any one metric, including the MAC Championship. While winning the MAC is by far the most prestigious thing any team can do, I did not want to let any one program (looking at us, Bowling Green, and Miami) ride a couple of championships to the top despite a few lean years in the decade. I also added the 5 point bonus for 4 or more MAC wins to reward a team that may have had a brutal non-con schedule so they did not go bowling but 4 or more MAC wins in a seasons deserves something.
I also want to give a shoutout to my MAC Player of the Decade, Jordan Lynch. I remember growing up no one near MAC country but still watching MACtion every week and being amazed by Jordan Lynch who represented the conference at the Heisman ceremony in 2013. I named a player of the decade for each team, trying to factor in career stats, monster seasons, importance, and role in the big wins for the team and the team's best seasons.
12. Kent State
2010: Darrell Hazell 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points2011: Darrell Hazell 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points2012: Darrell Hazell 11-1 (8-0) MAC Championship vs NIU L, P5 Win at Rutgers, Bowl vs Arkansas State L = 76 points2013: Paul Haynes 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points2014: Paul Haynes 2-9 (1-6) = 2 points2015: Paul Haynes 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points2016: Paul Haynes 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points2017: Paul Haynes 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points2018: Sean Lewis 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points2019: Sean Lewis 6-6 (5-3) Frisco Bowl vs Utah State W = 31 points
Total: 143 pointsPlayer of the Decade: Nate Holley Safety 2013-2016Head Coaches: 3Record: 43-76 (31-48)P5 wins: 1Bowl Record: 1-1MAC Championship Record: 0-1
Well, the Golden Flashes come in at the bottom of my list by just ONE POINT. Kent State had a terrible run under Paul Haynes. Really a shame he got 5 years to do nothing for the program. Darrell Hazell ended his tenure going 8-0 in the MAC, being ranked at one point, and losing a close MAC Championship game. Kent then did not have a good season again until Sean Lewis' second year in 2019 where the Flashes picked up their first bowl win. Kent did snag a P5 win in the 2010s but at just 1 had the 2nd least, tied for the fewest bowl appearances, but did go .500 or better in MAC play 4 times. Kent's best year in 2012 saw the P5 Win, East Division Title, and made a bowl. I went with Nate Holley for Player of the Decade. While Holley played during some very lean years for the Golden Flashes, racking up over 100 tackles in 3 straight years is just crazy. Holley leaves Kent with over 400 tackles which is just insane and led the MAC in tackles 3 straight years. In a time where Kent was really struggling, Nate kept shining and trying to will this team to more wins.
2010: Darrell Hazell 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
2011: Darrell Hazell 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
2012: Darrell Hazell 11-1 (8-0) MAC Championship vs NIU L, P5 Win at Rutgers, Bowl vs Arkansas State L = 76 points
2013: Paul Haynes 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2014: Paul Haynes 2-9 (1-6) = 2 points
2015: Paul Haynes 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2016: Paul Haynes 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2017: Paul Haynes 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points
2018: Sean Lewis 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points
2019: Sean Lewis 6-6 (5-3) Frisco Bowl vs Utah State W = 31 points
Total: 143 points
Player of the Decade: Nate Holley Safety 2013-2016
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 43-76 (31-48)
P5 wins: 1
Bowl Record: 1-1
MAC Championship Record: 0-1
Well, the Golden Flashes come in at the bottom of my list by just ONE POINT. Kent State had a terrible run under Paul Haynes. Really a shame he got 5 years to do nothing for the program. Darrell Hazell ended his tenure going 8-0 in the MAC, being ranked at one point, and losing a close MAC Championship game. Kent then did not have a good season again until Sean Lewis' second year in 2019 where the Flashes picked up their first bowl win. Kent did snag a P5 win in the 2010s but at just 1 had the 2nd least, tied for the fewest bowl appearances, but did go .500 or better in MAC play 4 times. Kent's best year in 2012 saw the P5 Win, East Division Title, and made a bowl. I went with Nate Holley for Player of the Decade. While Holley played during some very lean years for the Golden Flashes, racking up over 100 tackles in 3 straight years is just crazy. Holley leaves Kent with over 400 tackles which is just insane and led the MAC in tackles 3 straight years. In a time where Kent was really struggling, Nate kept shining and trying to will this team to more wins.
11. Eastern Michigan
2010: Ron English 2-10 (2-6) = 2 points
2011: Ron English 6-6 (4-4) = 11 points
2012: Ron English 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points
2013: Ron English 1-8 (0-5) Stan Parrish (1-2) = 2 points
2014: Chris Creighton 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points
2015: Chris Creighton 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point
2016: Chris Creighton 7-5 (4-4) Popeyes Bowl vs Old Dominion L = 22 points
2017: Chris Creighton 5-7 (3-5) P5 win at Rutgers = 25 points
2018: Chris Creighton 6-6 (5-3) P5 win at Purdue, Camellia Bowl vs Georgia Southern L = 41 points
2019: Chris Creighton 6-6 (3-5) P5 win at Illinois, Quick Lane Bowl vs Pitt L = 36 points
Total: 144 points
Player of the Decade: Brogan Roback 2013-2017
Head Coaches: 2
Record: 39-81 (24-56)
P5 wins: 3
Bowl Record: 0-3
MAC Championship Record: 0-0
On the bright side, the 2020's have been great for EMU so far and the Eagles were better than Kent State. The 2010s saw EMU towards the bottom of the conference, tying Akron for the least MAC wins. Luckily Chris Creighton came in 2014 and raise EMU to the point of making 3 bowl games in the last 4 years of the decade as well as rattling off a P5 Win in 3 straight seasons. EMU's best year was 2018 in which the Eagles beat Purdue on the road, made a bowl game and went 5-3 in MAC play, their best MAC season of the decade. I gave Brogan Roback the player of the decade award. I considered DB Vince Calhoun but landed on Brogan for a few reasons. Roback didn't have a monster single season stat wise but was the QB during the rise of Eastern Michigan football and led them to their first bowl game since 1987. QB is the most important position so the QBs will always get extra love. Roback left Eastern Michigan 2nd in career passing yards, 1st in career passing touchdowns, 1st in career total touchdowns, and 1st in total offensive yards. An absolute legendary career. An impact performance in a big win was EMU's 6th win of 2016 against Ball State in which Roback tossed for 468 yards, 3 passing scores and a rushing TD. Another one of Brogan's big win performances came in EMU's bowl clinching win against Central Michigan in which Roback threw for 355 yards and 2 touchdowns in the MAC finale to ensure a bowl with a 7th win. Brogan also threw for 260 yards and a touchdown in Eastern's first P5 Win of the decade against Rutgers in 2017.
10. Akron
2010: Rob Ianello 1-11 (1-7) = 1 point2011: Rob Ianello 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point2012: Terry Bowden 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point2013: Terry Bowden 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points2014: Terry Bowden 5-7 (3-5) P5 Win at Pitt = 25 points2015: Terry Bowden 7-5 (5-3) Idaho Potato Bowl vs Utah State W = 32 points2016: Terry Bowden 5-7 (3-5) = 5 points2017: Terry Bowden 7-5 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Toledo L, Boca Rotan Bowl vs FAU L = 52 points2018: Terry Bowden 4-8 (2-6) P5 Win at Northwestern = 24 points2019: Tom Arth 0-12 (0-8) = 0 points
Total: 151 pointsPlayer of the Decade: Ulysees Gilbert LB 2015-2018Head Coaches: 3Record: 36-84 (24-56)P5 wins: 2Bowl Record: 1-1MAC Championship Record: 0-1
Akron was able to escape last place largely due to winning the East Division in 2017. Terry Bowden lifted Akron from the ashes and in the 3 years in the decade without him Akron went 2-34. Despite a bunch of lean years, the Zips rattled off 2 P5 Wins and won their first ever bowl game in 2015. Akron went over .500 in MAC play 3 times which is tied for last with EMU but played for the MAC Championship in 2017 which neither EMU or Ball State were ever able to do in the 2010s. Player of the decade went to Ulysees Gilbert who in his first two years starting racked up 261 tackles which is insane as well as being a leader in Akron's 2017 run to winning the East. Gilberts final year saw his tackles drop to 85 which is still an insane amount and he left the Zips with an astounding 357 tackles, 28.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. One of Ulysees' impact in important wins to me came in the East Division clinching win over Kent State in 2017 with 14 tackles and a defensive touchdown. Gilbert also came up with 6 tackles and a fumble recovery touchdown in the P5 Win over Northwestern in 2018.
2010: Rob Ianello 1-11 (1-7) = 1 point
2011: Rob Ianello 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point
2012: Terry Bowden 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point
2013: Terry Bowden 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
2014: Terry Bowden 5-7 (3-5) P5 Win at Pitt = 25 points
2015: Terry Bowden 7-5 (5-3) Idaho Potato Bowl vs Utah State W = 32 points
2016: Terry Bowden 5-7 (3-5) = 5 points
2017: Terry Bowden 7-5 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Toledo L, Boca Rotan Bowl vs FAU L = 52 points
2018: Terry Bowden 4-8 (2-6) P5 Win at Northwestern = 24 points
2019: Tom Arth 0-12 (0-8) = 0 points
Total: 151 points
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 36-84 (24-56)
P5 wins: 2
Bowl Record: 1-1
MAC Championship Record: 0-1
9. Ball State
2010: Stan Parrish 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2011: Pete Lembo 6-6 (4-4) P5 win vs Indiana = 31 points
2012: Pete Lembo 9-3 (6-2) P5 wins at Indiana and vs USF, St Petersburg Bowl vs UCF L = 64 points
2013: Pete Lembo 10-2 (7-1) P5 win at Virginia, Bowl vs Arkansas State L = 45 points
2014: Pete Lembo 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
2015: Pete Lembo 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2016: Mike Neu 4-8 (1-7) = 4 points
2017: Mike Neu 2-10 (0-8) = 2 points
2018: Mike Neu 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2019: Mike Neu 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
Total: 177 points
Player of the Decade: Keith Wenning 2010-2013
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 52-68 (34-46)
P5 wins: 4
Bowl Record: 0-2
MAC Championship Record: 0-0
The Cardinals come in at 9th despite being only one of two schools to not reach the MAC Championship game. Ball State rattled off 4 P5 Wins, had 5 seasons 4-4 or better in MAC play. Ball State also joined EMU in the only programs to not win a bowl. The Cards really rode the P5 Wins and solid MAC play to the 9th spot on the list. Ball State's best year was in 2012 when 2 P5 games (the BigEast was considered a BCS conference so USF at the time counts) and lost their bowl game. Keith Wenning in my Player of the Decade as he leaves Ball State 1st in career passing yards, has the single season passing yards record, 2nd most passing yards in a game, the single game passing touchdown record, the single season passing touchdown record, and the career passing touchdown record. My golly what a career. Wenning also scored 6 touchdowns and threw for over 400 yards in Ball State's back to back P5 wins in 2012. Keith also threw for over 300 yards and had 3 scores in the Cards P5 Win over Virginia in 2013. Ball State had very little success in the decade without Wenning.
8. Buffalo
2011: Jeff Quinn 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2012: Jeff Quinn 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2013: Jeff Quinn 8-4 (6-2) P5 win vs UConn, Idaho Potato Bowl vs SDSU L = 43 points
2014: Jeff Quinn 3-4 (1-2) Alex Wood (2-2) = 5 points
2015: Lance Leipold 5-7 (3-5) = 5 points
2016: Lance Leipold 2-10 (1-7) = 2 points
2017: Lance Leipold 6-6 (4-4) = 11 points
2018: Lance Leipold 10-2 (7-1) MAC Championship vs NIU L, P5 Win at Rutgers, Dollar General Bowl vs Troy L = 75 points
2019: Lance Leipold 7-5 (5-3) Bahamas Bowl vs Charlotte W = 32 points
Total: 182 points
Player of the Decade: Khalil Mack LB 2009-2013
Head Coaches: 2
Record: 52-67 (35-44)
P5 wins: 2
Bowl Record: 1-2
MAC Championship Record: 0-1
Buffalo's best year was in 2018 when the Bulls won 10 games, won the East, and beat a P5 opponent. The Bulls made 3 bowl games, winning 1, and had 4 seasons .500 or better in MAC play. Their 2 P5 wins is on the lower end of MAC teams this decade but winning a bowl game and the East in 2018 propelled this team to 8th in the rankings. Lance Leipold was a phenomenal coach and had this team operating at their peak by the time he left. Khalil Mack was no doubt my player of the decade. I considered Jaret Patterson but how can anyone not go with Mack? He was consistently a terror to opposing game plans, racked up over 300 tackles, as ASTOUNDING 74 tackles for loss, 28 sacks and 2 defensive scores. Mack racked up 8 tackles and a sack in Buffalo's BCS win over UConn and had 3 sacks against Ohio to get Buffalo their 8th win in 2013. Even during the Buffalo lean years, Khalil was an absolute stud and was just built different.
7. Miami OH
2011: Don Treadwell 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2012: Don Treadwell 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2013: Don Treadwell 0-5 (0-1) Mike Bath (0-7) = 0 points
2014: Chuck Martin 2-10 (2-6) = 2 points
2015: Chuck Martin 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2016: Chuck Martin 6-6 (6-2) St Petersburg Bowl vs Mississippi State L = 21 points
2017: Chuck Martin 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
2018: Chuck Martin 6-6 (6-2) = 11 points
2019: Chuck Martin 7-5 (6-2) MAC Championship vs CMU W, LendingTree Bowl vs ULL L = 82 points
Total: 230 points
Player of the Decade: Nick Harwell WR 2010-2012
Head Coaches: 2
Record: 45-75 (39-41)
P5 wins: 0
Bowl Record: 1-2
MAC Championship Record: 2-0
The RedHawks come in at 7th despite 2 MAC Championships. Miami is a good example of some very high highs in the decade but a huge lack of consistency. Miami did have 5 seasons .500 or better in MAC play, made 3 bowl games but were the only team to not get a P5 Win this decade. Despite a bunch of lean years, as a fan I would much rather have 2 Championships and take some bad years than a bunch of 6-6 years with some bowl games. The Don Treadwell era was unsuccessful but Chuck Martin was a good hire that culminated in a Championship. My Player of the Decade was Nick Harwell, as he had 2 seasons over 800 yards receiving and reach 1400 in 2011. Harwell is 2nd in career receptions at Miami, most in a single season, most in a single game, 2nd most receiving yards in a single season 2nd most yards in a single game, and 2nd most receiving yards in a career. On top of all that Nick is 3rd in career receiving touchdowns. Harwell also came up big in important games, catching 10 balls for over 100 yards and a score against Bowling Green in 2010, scoring a TD and totaling 72 yards in the MAC East clinching win against temple. Harwell then had 5 catches for 66 yards in the MAC Championship win against NIU and in the only bowl win of the decade caught 7 balls for over 80 yards and a score.
6. Central Michigan
2011: Dan Enos 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
2012: Dan Enos 6-6 (4-4) Little Caesar's Bowl vs WKU W = 30 points
2013: Dan Enos 6-6 (5-3) = 11 points
2014: Dan Enos 7-5 (5-3) P5 win at Purdue, Bahamas Bowl vs WKU L = 42 points
2015: John Bonamego 7-5 (6-2) Quick Lane Bowl vs Minnesota L = 22 points
2016: John Bonamego 6-6 (3-5) P5 Win at Oklahoma State, Miami Beach Bowl vs Tulsa L = 36 points
2017: John Bonamego 8-4 (6-2) P5 Win at Kansas, Idaho Potato Bowl vs Wyoming L = 43 points
2018: John Bonamego 1-11 (0-8) = 1 point
2019: Jim McElwain 8-4 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Miami OH L, New Mexico Bowl vs SDSU L = 53 points
Total: 244 points
Player of the Decade: Titus Davis WR 2011-2014
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 55-65 (39-41)
P5 wins: 3
Bowl Record: 1-5
MAC Championship Record: 0-1
Now CMU cracks the top half of my rankings but in an opposite fashion sits ahead of Miami OH. While Miami won two championships, Central Michigan was just a consistent winner this decade. The Chips made 6 bowl games, 6 years .500 or better in MAC play, picked up 3 P5 Wins and finally won the West Division in 2019. CMU did lose 5 straight bowl games but ending the decade going from 1-11 to in the MAC Championship in year 1 under Jim McElwain is a fantastic way to end the 2010s. My player of the decade is Titus Davis (RIP). I did strongly consider Cooper Rush but Davis had 37 touchdowns!!! Titus left CMU 1st in career receiving touchdowns, most receiving touchdowns in a single game, most receiving touchdowns in a single season, most receiving yards in a career, 3rd most yards in a game and 5th most receiving yards in a single season. Davis is also the first player in FBS history to get 8 or more receiving touchdowns in each of his 4 years. An absolutely legendary career
5. Western Michigan
2011: Bill Cubit 7-5 (5-3) Little Ceasar's Bowl vs Purdue L = 22 points
2012: Bill Cubit 4-8 (2-6) = 4 points
2013: PJ Fleck 1-11 (1-7) = 1 point
2014: PJ Fleck 8-4 (6-2) Idaho Potato Bowl vs Air Force L = 23 points
2015: PJ Fleck 7-5 (6-2) Bahamas Bowl vs MTSU W = 32 points
2016: PJ Fleck 12-0 (8-0) MAC Championship vs Ohio W, Top 25 Final AP Poll, P5 Win at Northwestern and at Illinois, Cotton Bowl vs Wisconsin L = 152 points
2017: Tim Lester 6-6 (4-4) = 11 points
2018: Tim Lester 7-5 (5-3) Idaho Potato Bowl vs BYU L = 22 points
2019: Tim Lester 7-5 (5-3) First responder Bowl vs WKU L = 22 points
Total: 300 points
Player of the Decade: Corey Davis WR 2013-2016
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 65-55 (47-33)
P5 wins: 2
Bowl Record: 1-5
MAC Championship Record: 1-0
Western Michigan is the first team in our rankings to crack 300 points. WMU made 6 bowl games, got two P5 Wins in the same year and capped off an unbelievable 2016 year with a MAC Championship win. PJ Fleck was the engineer of the incredible run at WMU. After a 1 win season, Fleck went 20-4 in MAC play over the next 3 seasons. After Fleck left for Minnesota, Tim Lester never went under .500 in MAC play or got less than 6 wins. There were a bunch of great players during the decade like Jarvion Franklin, Zach Terrell, but Corey Davis was the no doubt answer. Davis is the all-time FBS leader in receiving yards, 2nd in FBS touchdown receptions, and the only FBS player with over 300 catches, 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. In the WMU record books, Davis is 1st in career receptions, 1st in career touchdowns, 1st in receiving yards, most receiving touchdowns in a single season, most receiving yards in a single game and the 2nd most receiving yards in season. How can that be topped?
4. Bowling Green
2011: Dave Clawson 5-7 (3-5) = 5 points
2012: Dave Clawson 8-4 (6-2) Military Bowl vs SJSU L = 23 points
2013: Dave Clawson 9-3 (7-1) MAC Championship vs NIU W, Little Caesar's Bowl vs Pitt L = 84 points
2014: Dino Babers 7-5 (5-3) MAC Championship vs NIU L, P5 Win vs Indiana, Camellia Bowl vs South Alabama W = 82 points
2015: Dino Babers 9-3 (7-1) MAC Championship vs NIU W, P5 Win at Maryland and at Purdue, Bowl vs Georgia Southern L = 124 points
2016: Mike Jinks 4-8 (3-5) = 4 points
2017: Mike Jinks 2-10 (2-6) = 2 points
2018: Mike Jinks 1-6 (0-3) Carl Pelini (2-3) = 3 points
2019: Scot Loeffler 3-9 (2-6) = 3 points
Total: 332 points
Player of the Decade: Matt Johnson QB 2011-2015
Head Coaches: 4
Record: 52-68 (38-42)
P5 wins: 3
Bowl Record: 1-3
MAC Championship Record: 2-1
The Falcons, very similar to Miami OH, won 2 MAC Championships during the decade and had a BUNCH of lean years after. Bowling Green made 3 straight MAC Championships, winning in 2013 and 2015. Dave Clawson rebuilt the Falcons and beat undefeated NIU to win the MAC in 2013. Then Dino Babers steps in and wins another championship and got 3 P5 Wins. The best year was 2015 in which the Falcons were 2-0 against the Big10 on the road and won the MAC. Mike Jinks then came into a situation way over his head and got fired in less than 3 seasons. Scot Loeffler came in right at the end of the decade and while going just 3-9 was able to beat Toledo for the first time in 10 years. Matt Johnson gets my Player of the Decade over Travis Greene despite just starting 2 seasons. In 2013, Johnson led the Falcons to a huge upset in the MAC Championship game against NIU in which he threw 5 touchdowns. Then after missing the entire 2014 season due to injury, led the FBS in passing yards and threw 46 touchdowns in 2015 as he led BG to another MAC Championship. Matt left BG 1st in single season passing yards, 2nd most passing yards in a single game, the most passing touchdowns in a single game, most career passing touchdowns, and most passing touchdowns in a single season. 2 seasons, 2 MAC Championships and 2 Big10 wins.
3. Toledo
2011: Tim Beckman 8-4 (7-1) Military Bowl vs Air Force W = 33 points2012: Matt Campbell 9-3 (6-2) P5 Win vs Cincinnati, Idaho Potato Bowl vs Utah State L = 44 points2013: Matt Campbell 7-5 (5-3) = 12 points2014: Matt Campbell 8-4 (7-1) Bowl vs Arkansas State W = 33 points2015: Matt Campbell 9-2 (6-2) P5 Win at Arkansas and vs Iowa State, Boca Raton Bowl vs Temple W = 74 points2016: Jason Candle 9-3 (6-2) Camellia Bowl vs App State L = 24 points2017: Jason Candle 10-2 (7-1) MAC Championship vs Akron W, Dollar General Bowl vs App State L = 85 points2018: Jason Candle 7-5 (5-3) Bahamas Bowl vs FIU L = 22 points2019: Jason Candle 6-6 (3-5) = 6 points
Total: 376 pointsPlayer of the Decade: Kareem Hunt RB 2013-2016Head Coaches: 3Record: 81-38 (59-21)P5 wins: 4Bowl Record: 3-5MAC Championship Record: 1-0
Toledo had a stellar decade. The Rockets never got less than 6 wins, only once went under .500 in MAC play. UT had the 2nd most MAC wins, made 8 bowl games and won 3. Toledo's best year came in 2017 which resulted in a MAC Championships route over Akron. The Rockets really got unlucky that NIU was cruising this decade because they did nothing but win, including 4 P5 victories, 2 of which came in Matt Campbell's last season. I went with Kareem Hunt for the Player of the Decade. I considered Logan Woodside but Hunt scored a monster 44 touchdowns. Hunt is the all time leading rushing in UT history, 2nd most rushing yards in a single season, and the 4th most rushing yards in a game. Hunt rushed for over 1,000 yards twice, and scored double digit scores 3/4 years. Kareem rushed for 271 yards and FIVE touchdowns in the 2014 bowl win and rushed for over 120 yards in the upset of Iowa State. Almost 5,000 rushing yards is just an insane number that may never be touched.
2011: Tim Beckman 8-4 (7-1) Military Bowl vs Air Force W = 33 points
2012: Matt Campbell 9-3 (6-2) P5 Win vs Cincinnati, Idaho Potato Bowl vs Utah State L = 44 points
2013: Matt Campbell 7-5 (5-3) = 12 points
2014: Matt Campbell 8-4 (7-1) Bowl vs Arkansas State W = 33 points
2015: Matt Campbell 9-2 (6-2) P5 Win at Arkansas and vs Iowa State, Boca Raton Bowl vs Temple W = 74 points
2016: Jason Candle 9-3 (6-2) Camellia Bowl vs App State L = 24 points
2017: Jason Candle 10-2 (7-1) MAC Championship vs Akron W, Dollar General Bowl vs App State L = 85 points
2018: Jason Candle 7-5 (5-3) Bahamas Bowl vs FIU L = 22 points
2019: Jason Candle 6-6 (3-5) = 6 points
Total: 376 points
Head Coaches: 3
Record: 81-38 (59-21)
P5 wins: 4
Bowl Record: 3-5
MAC Championship Record: 1-0
Toledo had a stellar decade. The Rockets never got less than 6 wins, only once went under .500 in MAC play. UT had the 2nd most MAC wins, made 8 bowl games and won 3. Toledo's best year came in 2017 which resulted in a MAC Championships route over Akron. The Rockets really got unlucky that NIU was cruising this decade because they did nothing but win, including 4 P5 victories, 2 of which came in Matt Campbell's last season. I went with Kareem Hunt for the Player of the Decade. I considered Logan Woodside but Hunt scored a monster 44 touchdowns. Hunt is the all time leading rushing in UT history, 2nd most rushing yards in a single season, and the 4th most rushing yards in a game. Hunt rushed for over 1,000 yards twice, and scored double digit scores 3/4 years. Kareem rushed for 271 yards and FIVE touchdowns in the 2014 bowl win and rushed for over 120 yards in the upset of Iowa State. Almost 5,000 rushing yards is just an insane number that may never be touched.
2. Ohio
2011: Frank Solich 9-3 (6-2) MAC Championship vs NIU L, Idaho Potato Bowl vs Utah State W = 64 points
2012: Frank Solich 8-4 (4-4) P5 Win at Penn State, Independence Bowl vs UL Monroe W = 53 points
2013: Frank Solich 7-5 (4-4) St Petersburg Bowl vs East Carolina L = 22 points
2014: Frank Solich 6-6 (4-4) = 11 points
2015: Frank Solich 8-4 (5-3) Camellia Bowl vs App State L = 23 points
2016: Frank Solich 8-4 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Western Michigan L, P5 Win at Kansas, Dollar General Bowl vs Tory L = 73 points
2017: Frank Solich 8-4 (5-3) P5 Win vs Kansas, Bahamas Bowl vs UAB W = 53 points
2018: Frank Solich 8-4 (6-2) Frisco Bowl vs SDSU W = 33 points
2019: Frank Solich 6-6 (5-3) Idaho Potato Bowl vs Nevada W= 31 points
Total: 386 points
Player of the Decade: Nathan Rourke QB 2017-2019
Head Coaches: 1
Record: 76-44 (51-29)
P5 wins: 3
Bowl Record: 5-4
MAC Championship Record: 0-2
The Bobcats are the only MAC team to have just 1 coach the entire decade. Frank Solich got our 2nd spot due to winning 5 bowl games, appearing in 9, rattling off 3 P5 Wins and winning the East division twice. Ohio never won the MAC but also never went under .500 in MAC play and never got less than 6 wins. The Bobcats winning 5 bowl games really helped get past Toledo in the rankings, winning 2 bowls in a row the end the drought. 2016 was the Bobbies best season of the decade, winning the East and beating a P5 team. Hard to choose anyone but Nathan Rourke for the Player of the Decade. Rourke was an elite dual threat QB, rushing for a monster 49 TDs over 2 years, throwing for 60, and never rushed for less than 800 yards in a season. Rourke has the 2nd most passing touchdowns in Bobcat history, the most career rushing touchdowns, the most rushing touchdowns in a single season, and the 2nd most passing yards in a career. Rourke scored 3 scores in the 2017 P5 Win over Kansas and scored 6 touchdowns combined in the bowl wins over UAB and SDSU. Rourke went a perfect 3-0 in his bowl games.
1. Northern Illinois
2010: Jerry Kill 10-2 (8-0) MAC Championship vs Miami OH L, P5 Win at Minnesota, Humanitarian Bowl vs Fresno State W = 85 points
2011: Dave Doeren 9-3 (7-1) MAC Championship vs Ohio W, BBVA Compass Bowl vs Arkansas State W = 94 points
2012: Dave Doeren 11-1 (8-0) MAC Championship vs Kent State W, Top 25 Final AP Poll, P5 Win vs Kansas, Orange Bowl vs Florida State L = 131 points
2013: Rod Carey 12-0 (8-0) MAC Championship vs Bowling Green L, P5 Win at Iowa and at Purdue, Poinsettia Bowl vs Utah State L = 97 points
2014: Rod Carey 10-2 (7-1) MAC Championship vs Bowling Green W, P5 Win at Northwestern, Boca Raton Bowl vs Marshall L = 105 points
2015: Rod Carey 8-4 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Bowling Green L, Poinsettia Bowl vs Boise State L = 53 points
2016: Rod Carey 5-7 (5-3) = 10 points
2017: Rod Carey 8-4 (6-2) P5 Win at Nebraska, Quick Lane Bowl vs Duke L = 43 points
2018: Rod Carey 7-5 (6-2) MAC Championship vs Buffalo W, Boca Raton Bowl vs UAB L = 82 points
2019: Thomas Hammock 5-7 (4-4) = 10 points
Total: 710 points
Player of the Decade: Jordan Lynch QB 2009-2013
Head Coaches: 4
Record: 85-35 (65-15)
P5 wins: 6
Bowl Record: 2-6
MAC Championship Record: 4-3
What can I say about NIU? The Huskies were flat out dominant. NIU had the most MAC wins, a Heisman trophy finalist, a MAC leading 6 P5 Wins and made SEVEN MAC Championships, winning 4 of them. The Huskies went 8-0 in MAC play 3 times and never was under .500 in conference. Dave Doeren's final season in 2012 was their best, winning the MAC, ending the season ranked, beating a P5 team and making a BCS bowl. The Player of the Decade was no doubt Jordan Lynch. During their 12-0 run in 2013 Lynch ran for just shy of 2,000 yards and rushed for an absurd 23 scores. In just 2 seasons as a starter, Lynch got 3 P5 Wins, 2 West Division Titles, 1 MAC Championship and a perfect 16-0 record in MAC regular season play. Jordan leaves NIU 4th in career passing yards, 2nd most yards in a single season, 4th in career passing touchdowns, 3rd in career rush yards, 3rd in single season rushing yards, 3rd in career rushing touchdowns, and the most total offensive yardage in a single season. To top that all off, he was a finalist in New York for the Heisman trophy. A career that will never be topped.
Numbers
Total Points
1. Northern Illinois 710 (Best Season: 2012 131 points)
2. Ohio 386 (Best Season: 2016 73 points)
3. Toledo 375 (Best Season: 2017 85 points)
4. Bowling Green 332 (Best Season: 2015 124 points)
5. Western Michigan 300 (Best Season: 2016 152 points)
6. Central Michigan 244 (Best Season: 2019 53 points)
7. Miami OH 230 (Best Season: 2010 93 points)
8. Buffalo 182 (Best Season: 2018 75 points)
9. Ball State 177 (Best Season: 2012 2012 64 points)
10. Akron 151 (Best Season: 2017 52 points)
11. Eastern Michigan 144 (Best Season: 2018 41 points)
12. Kent State 143 (Best Season: 2012 76 points)
MAC Championship Wins
Northern Illinois 4
Bowling Green 2
Miami OH 2
Toledo 1
Western Michigan 1
Akron 0
Ball State 0
Buffalo 0
Central Michigan 0
Eastern Michigan 0
Kent State 0
Ohio 0
MAC Championship Appearances
Northern Illinois 7
Bowling Green 3
Miami OH 2
Ohio 2
Akron 1
Buffalo 1
Central Michigan 1
Kent State 1
Toledo 1
Western Michigan 1
Ball State 0
Eastern Michigan 0
P5 Wins
Northern Illinois 6
Ball State 4
Toledo 4
Bowling Green 3
Central Michigan 3
Eastern Michigan 3
Ohio 3
Akron 2
Buffalo 2
Western Michigan 2
Kent State 1
Miami OH 0
MAC Wins
Northern Illinois 65
Toledo 59
Ohio 51
Western Michigan 47
Central Michigan 39
Miami OH 39
Bowling Green 38
Buffalo 35
Ball State 34
Kent State 31
Akron 24
Eastern Michigan 24
.500 or better MAC Record
Northern Illinois 10
Ohio 10
Toledo 9
Western Michigan 8
Central Michigan 6
Ball State 5
Miami OH 5
Bowling Green 4
Buffalo 4
Kent State 4
Akron 3
Eastern Michigan 3
Bowl Wins
Ohio 5
Toledo 3
Northern Illinois 2
Akron 1
Bowling Green 1
Buffalo 1
Central Michigan 1
Kent State 1
Miami OH 1
Western Michigan 1
Ball State 0
Eastern Michigan 0
Bowl Games
Ohio 9
Northern Illinois 8
Toledo 8
Central Michigan 6
Western Michigan 6
Bowling Green 4
Buffalo 3
Eastern Michigan 3
Miami OH 3
Akron 2
Ball State 2
Kent State 2
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