In the West Division, the margin was also only one point as Northern Illinois was selected in first-place with 61 points followed by second-place Toledo with 60 points. Western Michigan was picked third followed by Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Ball State.
This reflects on the competitive nature of the MAC. In the last three years the Conference has witnessed six different programs compete in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game and in the last six years every MAC football program has received a bowl invitation to college football’s postseason.
Earlier this summer in conjunction with the 2018 MAC Football Media Day, the league’s media members selected a preseason poll with identical results -- Ohio and Northern Illinois selected to win their respective divisions, with Ohio picked to win the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game.