# 2021 Mid-American Conference football season

The 2021 Mid-American Conference football season was the 76th season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC), as part of the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season.
The provisional schedule was released on February 26, 2021. The season was scheduled to begin September 2, 2021, and ended with the MAC Football Championship Game on December 4, 2021.

## Previous season

The 2020 Mid-American Conference football season saw a delayed start and shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 6 regular season games. The Buffalo Bulls won the East Division, while the Ball State Cardinals won the West Division. In the 2020 MAC Championship Game, the Cardinals defeated the Bulls 38–28. The Cardinals would go on to the Arizona Bowl, where they defeated the San Jose State Spartans 34–13.

## Preseason
### Preseason Media Poll

The Preseason Media Poll was announced on July 20. Kent State was voted the favorite to win the East Division, while Ball State was voted as favorite for the West Division. Ball State was also the favorite to win the conference championship game.
East :
| Predicted finish | Team | Points (votes for first place) |
| 1 | Kent State | 112 (11) |
| 2 | Ohio | 96 (2) |
| 3 | Miami (OH) | 94 (5) |
| 4 | Buffalo | 93 (4) |
| 5 | Akron | 39 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | 28 |
West :
| Predicted finish | Team | Points (votes for first place) |
| 1 | Ball State | 114 (11) |
| 2 | Toledo | 104 (7) |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 103 (4) |
| 4 | Central Michigan | 68 |
| 5 | Eastern Michigan | 44 |
| 6 | Northern Illinois | 29 |

### Preseason awards

The following list contains MAC players included on watch lists for national awards.
| Award | Head coach/Player | School | Position |
| Maxwell Award | Kevin Marks | Buffalo | RB |
| Maxwell Award | Preston Hutchinson | Eastern Michigan | QB |
| Maxwell Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB |
| Maxwell Award | Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan | QB |
| Bednarik Award | James Patterson | Buffalo | LB |
| Bednarik Award | Troy Hairston | Central Michigan | DE |
| Bednarik Award | Troy Brown | Central Michigan | LB |
| Bednarik Award | Desjuan Johnson | Toledo | DT |
| Bednarik Award | Ralph Holley | Western Michigan | DT |
| Davey O'Brien Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB |
| Doak Walker Award | Darius Boone | Eastern Michigan | RB |
| Doak Walker Award | Bryant Koback | Toledo | RB |
| Doak Walker Award | Kobe Lewis | Central Michigan | RB |
| Doak Walker Award | Kevin Marks | Buffalo | RB |
| Doak Walker Award | Lew Nichols III | Central Michigan | RB |
| Fred Biletnikoff Award | Justin Hall | Ball State | WR |
| John Mackey Award | Thomas Odukoya | Eastern Michigan | TE |
| John Mackey Award | Ryan Luehrman | Ohio | TE |
| Rimington Trophy | Braydon Patton | Northern Illinois | C |
| Rimington Trophy | Bryce Harris | Toledo | C |
| Butkus Award | James Patterson | Buffalo | LB |
| Outland Trophy | Curtis Blackwell | Ball State | C |
| Outland Trophy | Mike Caliendo | Western Michigan | C |
| Outland Trophy | Jake Fuzak | Buffalo | OT |
| Outland Trophy | Bryce Harris | Toledo | C |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Troy Brown | Central Michigan | LB |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Ralph Holley | Western Michigan | DT |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Desjuan Johnson | Toledo | DT |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Brandon Martin | Ball State | LB |
| Lou Groza Award | Marshall Meeder | Central Michigan | K |
| Paul Hornung Award | Justin Hall | Ball State | WR |
| Paul Hornung Award | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan | WR |
| Paul Hornung Award | Clint Ratkovich | Northern Illinois | RB |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Bubba Arslanian | Akron | LB |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Brandon Martin | Ball State | LB |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Bryce Cosby | Ball State | DB |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Tariq Speights | Eastern Michigan | LB |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Isaac Vance | Kent State | WR |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Sam Allan | Kent State | OL |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Bailey Flint | Toledo | P |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Mike Calidendo | Western Michigan | OL |
| Walter Camp Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB |
| Manning Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB |
| Manning Award | Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan | QB |
| Manning Award | Drew Plitt | Ball State | QB |
| Ray Guy Award | Bailey Flint | Toledo | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Dom Dzioban | Miami (OH) | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Jake Julian | Eastern Michigan | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Luke Elzinga | Central Michigan | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Matt Ference | Northern Illinois | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Matt Naranjo | Bowling Green | P |
| Ray Guy Award | Nick Mihalic | Western Michigan | P |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Drew Plitt | Ball State | QB |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Kyle Vantrease | Buffalo | QB |

## Head Coaches

Lance Leipold, who had been head coach of Buffalo since 2015, left the MAC to take the head coach position with the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12 Conference. Leipold was replaced by interim head coach Rob Ianello during the school's search for a new permanent coach. However, Ianello and several other Buffalo assistant coaches were tabbed to join Leipold at Kansas, leaving a temporary vacancy at the team's head coaching position. Michigan co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist was later hired as Buffalo's new permanent coach.
On July 14, Frank Solich announced his retirement from the head coach position at Ohio after 16 seasons with the school. Tim Albin was promoted to head coach to fill Solich's vacancy.
| Team | Head coach | Previous Job | Years at school | Overall record | MAC record | MAC titles |
| Akron | Tom Arth | Chattanooga | 3 | 50–38 (.568) | 1–13 (.071) | 0 |
| Ball State | Mike Neu | New Orleans Saints (QB Coach) | 6 | 22–34 (.393) | 13–25 (.342) | 1 |
| Bowling Green | Scot Loeffler | Boston College (Off. coordinator/QB coach) | 3 | 3–14 (.176) | 2–11 (.154) | 0 |
| Buffalo | Maurice Linguist | Michigan (Co def. coordinator) | 1 | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 |
| Central Michigan | Jim McElwain | Florida | 3 | 55–36 (.604) | 9–5 (.643) | 0 |
| Eastern Michigan | Chris Creighton | Drake | 8 | 166–97 (.631) | 18–36 (.333) | 0 |
| Kent State | Sean Lewis | Syracuse (Co Off. Coordinator) | 3 | 12–17 (.414) | 9–11 (.450) | 0 |
| Miami | Chuck Martin | Notre Dame (Off. coordinator/QB coach) | 7 | 106–53 (.667) | 28–23 (.549) | 1 |
| Northern Illinois | Thomas Hammock | Baltimore Ravens (running backs coach) | 3 | 5–13 (.278) | 4–10 (.286) | 0 |
| Ohio | Tim Albin | Ohio (associate head coach) | 1 | 25–8 (.758) | 0–0 (–) | 0 |
| Toledo | Jason Candle | Toledo (Off. Coordinator) | 6 | 38–21 (.644) | 25–13 (.658) | 1 |
| Western Michigan | Tim Lester | Purdue (QB Coach) | 5 | 54–43 (.557) | 18–12 (.600) | 0 |

### Mid-season changes

* On November 4, Tom Arth was fired as head coach at Akron after posting a 3–24 record with the school in 3 years. Oscar Rodriguez, who was formerly the school's inside linebacker coach and associate head coach, was named interim head coach. On December 4, the school announced Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead as the new permanent head coach.

## Rankings

| | | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 14 |
| Akron | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Akron | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Akron | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Ball State | AP | RV | RV | | | | | | | | |
| Ball State | C | RV | RV | | | | | | | | |
| Ball State | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Bowling Green | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bowling Green | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bowling Green | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Buffalo | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Buffalo | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Buffalo | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Central Michigan | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Michigan | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Michigan | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Eastern Michigan | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Michigan | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Michigan | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Kent State | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kent State | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kent State | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Miami | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Miami | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Miami | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Northern Illinois | AP | | | | | | | | | | RV |
| Northern Illinois | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Northern Illinois | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Ohio | AP | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ohio | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ohio | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Toledo | AP | | | RV | | | | | | | |
| Toledo | C | | | | | | | | | | |
| Toledo | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
| Western Michigan | AP | | | | | | RV | | | | |
| Western Michigan | C | | | | | | RV | | | | |
| Western Michigan | CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | |
Legend :
| | Improvement in ranking |
| | Drop in ranking |
| | Not ranked previous week |
| | No change in ranking from previous week |
| RV | Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll |
| т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |

## Schedule

* Index to colors and formatting
* MAC member won
* MAC member lost
* MAC teams in bold
All times Eastern time.

### Week 1

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Western Illinois | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPN+ | W 31–21 | 13,149 |
| September 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Wagner | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | ESPN3 | W 69–7 | 13,063 |
| September 2 | 8:00 p.m. | Bowling Green | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | SECN | L 6–38 | 84,314 |
| September 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Saint Francis | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN3 | W 35–15 | 16,461 |
| September 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Western Michigan | Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | ESPN | L 14–47 | 109,295 |
| September 4 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH) | No. 8 Cincinnati | Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH (Victory Bell) | ESPN+ | L 14–49 | 37,978 |
| September 4 | 4:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | Missouri | Faurot Field • Columbia, MO | SECN | L 24–34 | 46,237 |
| September 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Norfolk State | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | ESPN3 | W 49–10 | |
| September 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Akron | Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | SECN | L 10–60 | 83,821 |
| September 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Syracuse | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | CBSSN | L 9–29 | 23,904 |
| September 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Georgia Tech | Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ACCN | W 22–21 | 33,651 |
| September 4 | 8:00 p.m. | Kent State | No. 6 Texas A&M | Kyle Field • College Station, TX | ESPNU | L 10–41 | 97,339 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 2

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 11 | 11:30 a.m. | No. 18 (FCS) VMI | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | ESPN3 | W 60–10 | 16,785 |
| September 11 | 12:00 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | ESPNU | L 26–31 | 43,372 |
| September 11 | 1:30 p.m. | Wyoming | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPN+ | L 43–50 | 11,334 |
| September 11 | 2:00 p.m. | Duquesne | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | ESPN3 | L 26–28 | 19,411 |
| September 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Toledo | No. 8 Notre Dame | Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, IN | Peacock | L 29–32 | 62,009 |
| September 11 | 3:00 p.m. | Robert Morris | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | ESPN3 | W 45–0 | 16,128 |
| September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Ball State | No. 11 Penn State | Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA | FS1 | L 13–44 | 105,323 |
| September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Buffalo | Nebraska | Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE | BTN | L 3–28 | 85,663 |
| September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Temple | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH | ESPN+ | L 24–45 | 14,474 |
| September 11 | 4:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | ESPN+ | L 19–22 | 15,105 |
| September 11 | 5:00 p.m. | Illinois State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | ESPN3 | W 28–0 | 18,122 |
| September 11 | 7:00 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | No. 18 Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI | FS1 | L 7–34 | 70,967 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 3

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 16 | 8:00 p.m. | Ohio | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN | L 14–49 | 17,709 |
| September 18 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 16 Coastal Carolina | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | ESPN2 | L 25–28 | 16,739 |
| September 18 | 12:00 p.m. | Western Michigan | Pittsburgh | Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA | ESPN3 | W 44–41 | 40,581 |
| September 18 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | No. 25 Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN | L 10–63 | 106,263 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Kent State | No. 5 Iowa | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA | BTN | L 7–30 | 61,932 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | UMass | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Amherst, MA | FloSports/NESN+ | W 42–28 | 7,012 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | LIU | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | ESPN+ | W 42–7 | 12,036 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Bryant | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH | ESPN3 | W 35–14 | 8,779 |
| September 18 | 4:00 p.m. | Ball State | Wyoming | War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY | Stadium | L 12–45 | 23,467 |
| September 18 | 4:00 p.m. | Colorado State | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | ESPNU | L 6–22 | 21,365 |
| September 18 | 5:00 p.m. | Murray State | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | ESPN3 | W 27–10 | 20,097 |
| September 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Central Michigan | LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | SECN | L 21–49 | 92,547 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 4

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 25 | 12:00 p.m. | FIU | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | ESPN+ | W 31–27 | 18,382 |
| September 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Bowling Green | Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | ESPNU | W 14–10 | 46,236 |
| September 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Ohio | Northwestern | Ryan Field • Evanston, IL | BTN | L 6–35 | 27,129 |
| September 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Army | Michie Stadium • West Point, NY | CBSSN | L 10–23 | 24,045 |
| September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | San Jose State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | ESPN+ | W 23–3 | 12,317 |
| September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Toledo | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPN+ | TOL 22–12 | 14,902 |
| September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Texas State | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN+ | W 59–21 | 14,253 |
| September 25 | 2:30 p.m. | Maine | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPN3 | W 41–14 | 10,076 |
| September 25 | 3:30 p.m. | Kent State | Maryland | Maryland Stadium • College Park, MD | BTN | L 16–37 | 30,117 |
| September 25 | 6:00 p.m. | Buffalo | Old Dominion | S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA | ESPN+ | W 35–34 | |
| September 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Akron | No. 10 Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH | BTN | L 7–59 | 95,178 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 5

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Toledo | UMass | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Amherst, MA | FloFootball/NESN | W 45–7 | 9,456 |
| October 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Western Michigan | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | CBSSN | WMU 24–17 | 17,344 |
| October 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPN+ | NIU 27–20 | 10,034 |
| October 2 | 3:30 p.m. | Bowling Green | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH (Anniversary Award) | ESPN+ | KSU 27–20 | 20,537 |
| October 2 | 3:30 p.m. | Central Michigan | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | ESPN+ | M-OH 28–17 | 12,616 |
| October 2 | 3:30 p.m. | Ohio | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH | ESPN3 | OU 34–17 | 12,616 |
| October 2 | 5:00 p.m. | Army | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPN+ | W 28–16 | 13,713 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 6

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 9 | 12:00 p.m. | Akron | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | ESPN+ | AKR 35–20 | 17,797 |
| October 9 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | CBSSN | NIU 22–20 | 21,284 |
| October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | Ball State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | ESPNU | BSU 45–20 | 11,403 |
| October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | Central Michigan | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | ESPN+ | CMU 30–27 | 20,928 |
| October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN+ | EMU 13–12 | 15,664 |
| October 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Buffalo | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | ESPNU | KSU 48–38 | 12,105 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 7

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 16 | 12:00 p.m. | Ohio | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | ESPN+ | UB 27–26 | 12,909 |
| October 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Ball State | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN+ | BSU 38–31 | 15,258 |
| October 16 | 2:30 p.m. | Akron | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | ESPN+ | M-OH 34–21 | 11,042 |
| October 16 | 3:30 p.m. | Toledo | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | CBSSN | CMU 26–23 $^{OT}$ | 20,112 |
| October 16 | 3:30 p.m. | Bowling Green | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPN+ | NIU 34–26 | 7,854 |
| October 16 | 3:30 p.m. | Kent State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | ESPNU | WMU 64–31 | 18,716 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 8

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 23 | 12:00 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | ESPN+ | EMU 55–24 | 10,875 |
| October 23 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | ESPNU | NIU 39–38 | 15,232 |
| October 23 | 1:00 p.m. | Kent State | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | ESPN+ | KSU 34–27 | 15,854 |
| October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN (Red Bird Rivalry) | ESPN+ | M-OH 24–17 | 15,703 |
| October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Western Michigan | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | CBSSN | TOL 34–15 | 19,906 |
| October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Buffalo | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH | ESPN+ | UB 45–10 | 8,635 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 9

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
| October 30 | 12:00 p.m. | Bowling Green | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | CBSSN | BGSU 56–44 | 13,163 | |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 10

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Ball State | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH | CBSSN | BSU 31–25 | 7,683 |
| November 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | ESPN2 | EMU 52–49 | 14,997 |
| November 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH (Battle of the Bricks) | ESPNU | OU 35–33 | 15,940 |
| November 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI (Victory Cannon / Michigan MAC Trophy) | ESPNU | CMU 42–30 | 13,137 |
| November 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | ESPN2 | KSU 52–47 | 6,076 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 11

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Akron | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | CBSSN | WMU 45–40 | 8,443 |
| November 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Buffalo | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | ESPNU | M-OH 45–18 | 10,069 |
| November 9 | 8:00 p.m. | Ohio | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN2 | OU 34–26 | 13,636 |
| November 10 | 7:00 p.m. | Ball State | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL (Bronze Stalk Trophy) | ESPN2 | NIU 30–29 | 7,894 |
| November 10 | 7:00 p.m. | Toledo | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH (Battle of I-75) | CBSSN | TOL 49–17 | 18,349 |
| November 10 | 8:00 p.m. | Kent State | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | ESPNU | CMU 54–30 | 9,213 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 12

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Toledo | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | ESPN+ | TOL 35–23 | 9,716 |
| November 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Western Michigan | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI (Michigan MAC Trophy) | ESPN2 | EMU 22–21 | 15,272 |
| November 16 | 8:00 p.m. | Bowling Green | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | ESPNU | M-OH 34–7 | 10,269 |
| November 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPNU | CMU 37–17 | 5,602 |
| November 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | ESPN2 | NIU 33–27 $^{OT}$ | 13,097 |
| November 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Kent State | Akron | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH (Wagon Wheel) | ESPN+ | KSU 38–0 | 8,879 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week 13

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 23 | 7:00 p.m. | Western Michigan | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPNU | WMU 42–21 | 7,156 |
| November 23 | 7:00 p.m. | Buffalo | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPN+ | BSU 20–3 | 6,112 |
| November 26 | 12:00 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry / Michigan MAC Trophy) | ESPNU | CMU 31–10 | 7,708 |
| November 26 | 12:00 p.m. | Ohio | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | CBSSN | BGSU 21–10 | 9,339 |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | Akron | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | ESPN+ | TOL 49–14 | 11,282 |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | Miami (OH) | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | ESPN+ | KSU 48–47 $^{OT}$ | 8,378 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### MAC Conference Championship Game

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
| December 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Kent State | Northern Illinois | Ford Field • Detroit, MI | ESPN | NIU 41–23 | 10,317 | |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

## Postseason
### Bowl Games

Legend :
* MAC Win
* MAC Loss
| Bowl game | Date | Site | Television | Time (EST) | MAC team | Opponent | Score | Attendance |
| Bahamas Bowl | December 17 | Thomas Robinson Stadium • Nassau, Bahamas | ESPN | 12:00 p.m. | Toledo | Middle Tennessee | L 24–31 | 13,596 |
| Cure Bowl | December 17 | Exploria Stadium • Orlando, FL | ESPN2 | 6:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Coastal Carolina | L 41–47 | 9,784 |
| LendingTree Bowl | December 18 | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN | 5:45 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Liberty | L 20–56 | 15,186 |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | December 21 | Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID | ESPN | 3:30 p.m. | Kent State | Wyoming | L 38–52 | 10,217 |
| Frisco Football Classic | December 23 | Toyota Stadium • Frisco, TX | ESPN | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH) | North Texas | W 27–14 | 11,721 |
| Camellia Bowl | December 25 | Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL | ESPN | 2:30 p.m. | Ball State | Georgia State | L 20–51 | |
| Quick Lane Bowl | December 27 | Ford Field • Detroit, MI | ESPN | 11:00 a.m. | Western Michigan | Nevada | W 52–24 | 22,321 |
| Sun Bowl | December 31 | Sun Bowl • El Paso, Texas | CBS | 12:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | Washington State | W 24–21 | 34,540 |
* Central Michigan was originally slated to play in the Arizona Bowl on December 31 against Boise State, but the bowl was cancelled when Boise State was forced to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak within their team. Central Michigan was then invited to play in the Sun Bowl on the same date to replace Miami (FL), who had withdrawn from that bowl due to COVID-19 as well.

## MAC records vs other conferences

2021–2022 records against non-conference foes:
| Power Conferences 5 | Record |
| ACC | 2–1 |
| Big Ten | 1–10 |
| Big 12 | 0–0 |
| Pac-12 | 0–0 |
| BYU/Notre Dame | 0–1 |
| SEC | 0–5 |
| Power 5 Total | 3–17 |
| Other FBS Conferences | Record |
| American | 0–2 |
| C–USA | 2–0 |
| Independents (Excluding Notre Dame) | 3–1 |
| Mountain West | 1–3 |
| Sun Belt | 1–3 |
| Other FBS Total | 5–9 |
| FCS Opponents | Record |
| Football Championship Subdivision | 11–1 |
| Total Non-Conference Record | 23–27 |

### Mid-American vs Power 5 matchups

This is a list of games the MAC has scheduled versus power conference teams (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, BYU, Notre Dame and SEC). All rankings are from the current AP Poll at the time of the game.
| Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
| September 2 | SEC | Bowling Green | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | L 6–38 |
| September 4 | Big Ten | Western Michigan | Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | L 14–47 |
| September 4 | SEC | Central Michigan | Missouri | Faurot Field • Columbia, MO | L 24–34 |
| September 4 | SEC | Akron | Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | L 10–60 |
| September 4 | ACC | Syracuse | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | L 9–29 |
| September 4 | ACC | Northern Illinois | Georgia Tech | Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA | W 22–21 |
| September 4 | SEC | Kent State | No. 6 Texas A&M | Kyle Field • College Station, TX | L 10–41 |
| September 11 | Big Ten | Miami (OH) | Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | L 26–31 |
| September 11 | Independent | Toledo | No. 8 Notre Dame | Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, IN | L 29–32 |
| September 11 | Big Ten | Ball State | No. 11 Penn State | Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA | L 13–44 |
| September 11 | Big Ten | Buffalo | Nebraska | Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE | L 3–28 |
| September 11 | Big Ten | Eastern Michigan | No. 18 Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI | L 7–34 |
| September 18 | SEC | Central Michigan | LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | L 21–49 |
| September 18 | Big Ten | Northern Illinois | No. 25 Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | L 10–63 |
| September 18 | ACC | Western Michigan | Pittsburgh | Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA | W 44–41 |
| September 18 | Big Ten | Kent State | No. 5 Iowa | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa Stadium, IA | L 7–30 |
| September 25 | Big Ten | Akron | No. 10 Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH | L 7–59 |
| September 25 | Big Ten | Bowling Green | Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | W 14–10 |
| September 25 | Big Ten | Kent State | Maryland | Maryland Stadium • College Park, MD | L 16–37 |
| September 25 | Big Ten | Ohio | Northwestern | Ryan Field • Evanston, IL | L 6–35 |

### Mid-American vs Group of Five matchups

The following games include MAC teams competing against teams from the American, C-USA, Mountain or Sun Belt.
| Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
| September 4 | American | Miami (OH) | No. 8 Cincinnati | Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH | L 14–49 |
| September 11 | Mountain West | Wyoming | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | L 43–50 |
| September 11 | American | Temple | Akron | InfoCiscion Stadium • Akron, OH | L 24–45 |
| September 11 | Sun Belt | South Alabama | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | L 19–22 |
| September 16 | Sun Belt | Ohio | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | L 14–49 |
| September 18 | Mountain West | Ball State | Wyoming | War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY | L 12–45 |
| September 18 | Mountain West | Colorado State | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | L 6–22 |
| September 18 | Sun Belt | No. 16 Coastal Carolina | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | L 25–28 |
| September 25 | C-USA | FIU | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | W 31–27 |
| September 25 | Sun Belt | Texas State | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | W 59–21 |
| September 25 | Mountain West | San Jose State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | W 23–3 |
| September 25 | C-USA | Buffalo | Old Dominion | S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA | W 35–34 |

### Mid-American vs FBS independents matchups

The following games include MAC teams competing against FBS Independents, which includes Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn, or UMass.
| Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
| September 18 | Independents | Eastern Michigan | UMass | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Amherst, MA | W 42–28 |
| September 25 | Independents | Miami (OH) | Army | Michie Stadium • West Point, NY | L 10–23 |
| October 2 | Independents | Toledo | UMass | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Amherst, MA | W 45–9 |
| October 2 | Independents | Army | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | W 28–16 |

### Mid-American vs FCS matchups

| Date | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
| September 2 | Western Illinois | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | W 31–21 |
| September 2 | Wagner | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | W 69–7 |
| September 3 | St. Francis | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | W 35–15 |
| September 4 | Norfolk State | Toledo | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | W 49–10 |
| September 11 | VMI | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | W 60–10 |
| September 11 | Duquesne | Ohio | Peden Stadium • Athens, OH | L 26–28 |
| September 11 | Robert Morris | Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI | W 45–0 |
| September 11 | Illinois State | Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI | W 28–0 |
| September 18 | Bryant | Akron | InfoCiscion Stadium • Akron, OH | W 35–14 |
| September 18 | Murray State | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | W 27–10 |
| September 18 | LIU | Miami (OH) | Yager Stadium • Oxford, OH | W 42–7 |
| September 25 | Maine | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | W 41–14 |

## Awards and honors
### Player of the week honors
#### East Division

| Week | Offensive | Offensive | Offensive | Defensive | Defensive | Defensive | Special teams | Special teams | Special teams |
| Week | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position |
| Week 1 (September 6) | Kyle Vantrease | Buffalo | QB | Darren Anders | Bowling Green | LB | Josh Smith | Kent State | P |
| Week 2 (September 13) | Matt McDonald | Bowling Green | QB | Bubba Arslanian Montre Miller | Akron Kent State | LB CB | Graham Nicholson | Miami (OH) | K |
| Week 3 (September 20) | DJ Irons | Akron | QB | Taylor Riggins | Buffalo | DE | Jonah Wieland | Ohio | P |
| Week 4 (September 27) | Matt McDonald | Bowling Green | QB | Brock Horne | Bowling Green | LB | Matt Naranjo | Bowling Green | P |
| Week 5 (October 4) | De'Montre Tuggle | Ohio | RB | Will Evans | Ohio | DE | Nate Needham | Bowling Green | K |
| Week 6 (October 11) | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB | Tyson Durant | Akron | CB | Graham Nicholson (2) | Miami (OH) | K |
| Week 7 (October 18) | Dylan McDuffie | Buffalo | RB | James Patterson | Buffalo | LB | Nate Needham (2) | Bowling Green | K |
| Week 8 (October 25) | Dustin Crum (2) | Kent State | QB | Manny Lawrence-Burke | Kent State | LB | Alex McNulty | Buffalo | K |
| Week 9/10 (November 8) | Dustin Crum (3) | Kent State | QB | Nico Bolden | Kent State | S | Andrew Glass | Kent State | K |
| Week 11 (November 15) | Brett Gabbert | Miami (OH) | QB | Kam Butler | Miami (OH) | DE | Michael Mathison | Akron | WR/KR |
| Week 12 (November 22) | Dustin Crum (4) | Kent State | QB | CJ West | Kent State | DL | Andrew Glass (2) | Kent State | K |
| Week 13 (November 29) | Xavier Williams | Kent State | RB | Montre Miller (2) | Kent State | CB | Nate Needham (3) | Bowling Green | K |

#### West Division

| Week | Offensive | Offensive | Offensive | Defensive | Defensive | Defensive | Special teams | Special teams | Special teams |
| Week | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position |
| Week 1 (September 6) | Harrison Waylee | Northern Illinois | RB | Lance Deveaux Jr. | Northern Illinois | LB | Matt Ference | Northern Illinois | P |
| Week 2 (September 13) | Harrison Waylee (2) | Northern Illinois | RB | Dyontae Johnson | Toledo | LB | Bailey Flint | Toledo | P |
| Week 3 (September 20) | Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan | QB | Zaire Barnes | Western Michigan | LB | Nathan Snyder | Ball State | P |
| Week 4 (September 27) | Rocky Lombardi Ben Bryant | Northern Illinois Eastern Michigan | QB QB | Ali Fayad | Western Michigan | DL | Chad Ryland | Eastern Michigan | K |
| Week 5 (October 4) | Skyy Moore | Western Michigan | WR | Dillon Thomas | Northern Illinois | LB | Justin Hall | Ball State | WR/RS |
| Week 6 (October 11) | Drew Plitt | Ball State | QB | Bryce Cosby | Ball State | S | John Richardson | Northern Illinois | K |
| Week 7 (October 18) | Kaleb Eleby (2) Jay Ducker | Western Michigan Northern Illinois | QB RB | Bryce Cosby (2) | Ball State | S | Marshall Meeder | Central Michigan | K |
| Week 8 (October 25) | Rocky Lombardi (2) | Northern Illinois | QB | Desjuan Johnson | Toledo | DT | Kanon Woodill | Northern Illinois | K |
| Week 9/10 (November 8) | Trayvon Rudolph Hassan Beydoun | Northern Illinois Eastern Michigan | WR WR | Jose Ramirez | Eastern Michigan | DE | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan | KR |
| Week 11 (November 15) | Lew Nichols III | Central Michigan | RB | Jamal Hines | Toledo | LB | Chad Ryland (2) John Richardson (2) | Eastern Michigan Northern Illinois | K K |
| Week 12 (November 22) | Lew Nichols III (2) Bryant Koback | Central Michigan Toledo | RB RB | C. J. Brown | Northern Illinois | S | Chad Ryland (3) | Eastern Michigan | K |
| Week 13 (November 29) | Skyy Moore (2) | Western Michigan | WR | Jamal Hines (2) | Toledo | LB | Jake Julien | Eastern Michigan | P |

### MAC Individual awards

The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Mid-American Conference football coaches at the end of the season.
| Award | Player | School |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Lew Nichols III | Central Michigan |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Ali Fayad | Western Michigan |
| Special Teams Player of the Year | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan |
| Freshman Player of the Year | Jay Ducker | Northern Illinois |
| Vern Smith Leadership Award | Dustin Crum | Kent State |
| Coach of the Year | Thomas Hammock | Northern Illinois |

### All-Conference Teams

The following players were listed as part of the All-Conference teams.
| Position | Player | Team |
| First Team Offense |||
| WR | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan |
| WR | Dante Cephas | Kent State |
| WR | Jack Sorenson | Miami |
| WR | Skyy Moore | Western Michigan |
| OL | Sidy Sow | Eastern Michigan |
| OL | Bernhard Raimann | Central Michigan |
| OL | Luke Goedeke | Central Michigan |
| OL | Bryce Harris | Toledo |
| OL | Mike Caliendo | Western Michigan |
| TE | Christian Sims | Bowling Green |
| QB | Dustin Crum | Kent State |
| RB | Lew Nichols III | Central Michigan |
| RB | Bryant Koback | Toledo |
| PK | Nate Needham | Bowling Green |
| First Team Defense |||
| DL | Troy Hairston | Central Michigan |
| DL | Kameron Butler | Miami |
| DL | Jamal Hines | Toledo |
| DL | Ali Fayad | Western Michigan |
| LB | Darren Anders | Bowling Green |
| LB | James Patterson | Buffalo |
| LB | Troy Brown | Central Michigan |
| LB | Ivan Pace Jr. | Miami |
| DB | Bryce Cosby | Ball State |
| DB | Elvis Hines | Kent State |
| DB | C.J. Brown | Northern Illinois |
| DB | Samuel Womack | Toledo |
| DB | Tycen Anderson | Toledo |
| P | Nathan Snyder | Ball State |
| First Team Specialists |||
| KRS | Justin Hall | Ball State |
| PRS | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan |
| Position | Player | Team |
| Second Team Offense |||
| WR | Konata Mumpfield | Akron |
| WR | Justin Hall | Ball State |
| WR | Hassan Beydoun | Eastern Michigan |
| WR | Trayvon Rudolph | Northern Illinois |
| OL | Curtis Blackwell | Ball State |
| OL | Jake Fuzak | Buffalo |
| OL | Bill Kuduk | Kent State |
| OL | Nolan Potter | Northern Illinois |
| OL | Brayden Patton | Northern Illinois |
| TE | Tristian Brank | Akron |
| QB | Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan |
| RB | Marquez Cooper | Kent State |
| RB | Sean Tyler | Western Michigan |
| PK | Chad Ryland | Eastern Michigan |
| Second Team Defense |||
| DL | Daymond Williams | Buffalo |
| DL | Lonnie Phelps | Miami |
| DL | Desjuan Johnson | Toledo |
| DL | Ralph Holley | Western Michigan |
| LB | Jaylin Thomas | Ball State |
| LB | Matthew Salopek | Miami |
| LB | Jonathan Jones | Toledo |
| LB | Zaire Barnes | Western Michigan |
| DB | Jordan Anderson | Bowling Green |
| DB | Devonni Reed | Central Michigan |
| DB | Sterling Weatherford | Miami |
| DB | Dorian Jackson | Western Michigan |
| P | Jake Julien | Eastern Michigan |
| Second Team Specialists |||
| KRS | Trayvon Rudolph | Northern Illinois |
| PRS | Devin Maddox | Toledo |
| Position | Player | Team |
| Third Team Offense |||
| WR | Quian Williams | Buffalo |
| WR | Dallas Dixon | Central Michigan |
| WR | JaCorey Sullivan | Central Michigan |
| WR | Mac Hippenhammer | Miami |
| OL | Jack Klenk | Buffalo |
| OL | Brian Dooley | Eastern Michigan |
| OL | Nathan Monnin | Kent State |
| OL | Logan Zschernitz | Northern Illinois |
| OL | Vitaliy Gurman | Toledo |
| TE | Thomas Odukoya | Eastern Michigan |
| QB | Brett Gabbert | Miami |
| RB | Dylan McDuffie | Buffalo |
| RB | Clint Ratkovich | Northern Illinois |
| PK | Andrew Glass | Kent State |
| Third Team Defense |||
| DL | Karl Brooks | Bowling Green |
| DL | Jose Ramirez | Eastern Michigan |
| DL | Dominique Robinson | Miami |
| DL | James Ester | Northern Illinois |
| LB | Lance Deveaux | Northern Illinois |
| LB | Bryce Houston | Ohio |
| LB | Dyontae Johnson | Toledo |
| LB | Corvin Moment | Western Michigan |
| DB | Devin Tyler | Bowling Green |
| DB | Jordan Gandy | Northern Illinois |
| DB | Tariq Drake | Ohio |
| DB | Maxen Hook | Toledo |
| P | Matt Naranjo | Bowling Green |
| Third Team Specialists |||
| KRS | Ron Cook | Buffalo |
| PRS | Marion Lukes | Central Michigan |

### All-Americans

The 2021 College Football All-America Teams are composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), The Sporting News (TSN), Sports Illustrated (SI), USA Today (USAT) ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), FOX Sports (FOX) College Football News (CFN), Bleacher Report (BR), Scout.com, Phil Steele (PS), SB Nation (SB), Athlon Sports, Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Yahoo! Sports (Yahoo!).
Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. Football consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans. Any player named to the First Team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is deemed a Unanimous All-American.
| Position | Player | School | Selector | Unanimous | Consensus |
| First Team All-Americans ||||||
| K | Nate Needham | Bowling Green | FWAA | | |
| Position | Player | School | Selector | Unanimous | Consensus |
| Second Team All-Americans ||||||
| OL | Bernhard Raimann | Central Michigan | TSN | | |

## NFL draft

The following list includes all MAC players who were drafted in the 2022 NFL draft.
| Player | Position | School | Draft Round | Round Pick | Overall Pick | Team |
| Skyy Moore | WR | Western Michigan | 2 | 22 | 54 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Luke Goedeke | T | Central Michigan | 2 | 25 | 57 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Bernhard Raimann | T | Central Michigan | 3 | 13 | 77 | Indianapolis Colts |
| Tycen Anderson | S | Toledo | 5 | 23 | 166 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Samuel Womack | CB | Toledo | 5 | 29 | 172 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Dominique Robinson | DE | Miami (OH) | 5 | 31 | 174 | Chicago Bears |