A peek at MAC opponents - Thursday games
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025
Ohio at Rutgers (6 p.m., Big Ten Network)
Lafayette at Bowling Green (6 p.m.ESPN+)
Wyoming at Akron (7 p.m., ESPN+)
Buffalo at Minnesota (8 p.m., FS1)
Miami at Wisconsin (9 p.m., Big Ten Network)
CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . . .
Ohio at Rutgers (6 p.m., Big Ten Network)
Lafayette at Bowling Green (6 p.m.ESPN+)
Wyoming at Akron (7 p.m., ESPN+)
Buffalo at Minnesota (8 p.m., FS1)
Miami at Wisconsin (9 p.m., Big Ten Network)
CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . . .
Note: See MAC Reporter Online stories for 2025 MAC team season previews.
Ohio at Rutgers (6 p.m., Big Ten Network)
• After a solid year on the defensive side, Ohio will be tested by an explosive Rutgers offense..Running back Kyle Monangai is gone after running for 1,279 yards and 13 TDs last year. However, the Scarlet Knights have several potential replacements, including Florida Atlantic transfer Antwan Raymond (844 yards, 11 TDs last year). More importantly, Rutgers is loaded with returning starters along the offensive line.
• It's another story on the defensive side as Rutgers surrendered 32.8 ppg. Head coach Greg Schiano has hit the portal hard, so how well the new troops help is to be determined.
• The Scarlet Knights won seven games last year, but matching that will be difficult as they meet Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon after missing them on the schedule last year.
Ohio at Rutgers (6 p.m., Big Ten Network)
• After a solid year on the defensive side, Ohio will be tested by an explosive Rutgers offense..Running back Kyle Monangai is gone after running for 1,279 yards and 13 TDs last year. However, the Scarlet Knights have several potential replacements, including Florida Atlantic transfer Antwan Raymond (844 yards, 11 TDs last year). More importantly, Rutgers is loaded with returning starters along the offensive line.
• It's another story on the defensive side as Rutgers surrendered 32.8 ppg. Head coach Greg Schiano has hit the portal hard, so how well the new troops help is to be determined.
• The Scarlet Knights won seven games last year, but matching that will be difficult as they meet Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon after missing them on the schedule last year.
Lafayette at Bowling Green (6 p.m.ESPN+)
• Lafayette surprised some people last year when it won the Patriot League and reaching the FCS playoffs.
• The Leopards are highly regarded and considered a Patriot League title contender with one of their stronger teams in years. Running back Jamar Curtis was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award last year. Curtis gained 1,460 yards with 15 TDs on the ground. He added another 164 yards and two TDs receiving.
• Although the Bowling Green defense is to be respected, look for the Leopards offense to put some points on the board this year. Sophomore QB Dean DeNobile and WR Eli Steward are two of six Lafayette offensive players on a preseason all-conference team.
• Safety Saiku White is considered one of the top safety prospect among FCS programs. He registered 77 tackles, 4 picks and 5.5 TFL last year.
• The defense returns eight starters, including three preseason all-conference picks.
CLICK HERE FOR LAFAYETTE PREVIEW INTERVIEW
• Lafayette surprised some people last year when it won the Patriot League and reaching the FCS playoffs.
• The Leopards are highly regarded and considered a Patriot League title contender with one of their stronger teams in years. Running back Jamar Curtis was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award last year. Curtis gained 1,460 yards with 15 TDs on the ground. He added another 164 yards and two TDs receiving.
• Although the Bowling Green defense is to be respected, look for the Leopards offense to put some points on the board this year. Sophomore QB Dean DeNobile and WR Eli Steward are two of six Lafayette offensive players on a preseason all-conference team.
• Safety Saiku White is considered one of the top safety prospect among FCS programs. He registered 77 tackles, 4 picks and 5.5 TFL last year.
• The defense returns eight starters, including three preseason all-conference picks.
CLICK HERE FOR LAFAYETTE PREVIEW INTERVIEW
Wyoming at Akron (7 p.m., ESPN+)
• The Cowboys stumbled out of the game last year, losing seven of their first eight in head coach Jay Sawvel's first year at the helm.
•Defense, especially on third down, was a strength last year. However, Wyoming is replacing some secondary talent.
• Quarterback Kaden Anderson saw very limited playing time last year, with most coming late in the campaign. He had mixed results - winning Mountain West Player of the Week in his first start and struggling in his second. A concussion ultimately took him out of the lineup.
• There are signs the Cowboys want to get more from the ground game. A couple transfers are in the mix at running back.
• The defense has seen a huge turnover, with transfers dotting the lineup. Redshirt freshman Gary Rutherford and Lindenwood transfer Ethan Stuhlsatz are two of the linebacking prospects.
• Wyoming is hoping to get a better pass rush this year, especially given the massive turnover in the Cowboys secondary.
• John Hoyland, Wyoming's all-time leading scorer, is gone. He will be replaced by redshirt freshman Eric Sandvicor transfer Bart Edmiston Jr.
• The Cowboys stumbled out of the game last year, losing seven of their first eight in head coach Jay Sawvel's first year at the helm.
•Defense, especially on third down, was a strength last year. However, Wyoming is replacing some secondary talent.
• Quarterback Kaden Anderson saw very limited playing time last year, with most coming late in the campaign. He had mixed results - winning Mountain West Player of the Week in his first start and struggling in his second. A concussion ultimately took him out of the lineup.
• There are signs the Cowboys want to get more from the ground game. A couple transfers are in the mix at running back.
• The defense has seen a huge turnover, with transfers dotting the lineup. Redshirt freshman Gary Rutherford and Lindenwood transfer Ethan Stuhlsatz are two of the linebacking prospects.
• Wyoming is hoping to get a better pass rush this year, especially given the massive turnover in the Cowboys secondary.
• John Hoyland, Wyoming's all-time leading scorer, is gone. He will be replaced by redshirt freshman Eric Sandvicor transfer Bart Edmiston Jr.
Buffalo at Minnesota (8 p.m., FS1)
• The Gophers are regrouping on offense. After a successful season with sixth-year senior transfer Max Brosmer at the helm,Minnesota turns to his understudy -- redshirt freshman Drake Lindsay. Under Brosmer, the passing game thrived. Now he -- and a pair of his top receivers -- have departed. Javon Tracy, who caught 57 passes for 818 yards and seven TDs last year at Miami (OH) is one of the new receiving options.
It remains to be seen how well the passing game goes, but the Gophers are likely to lean on their running game early. Junior Darius Taylor had 986 yards rushing (and another 350 receiving) in 2024. Just two starters return on the offensive line, so transfers will factor into production.
• Minnesota ranked fifth nationally on defense last year. The success, however, cost them a defensive coordinator as Corey Hetherman moved on to Miami (FL). Danny Collins has moved into the position and aims to keep the Gophers flying fast and hard. All-Big Ten safety Koi Perieh leads a talented secondary. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg, the team's leading tackler last year, was drafted by the NFL Raiders. However, the linhebackers and defensive line have some quality players stepping into starting roles in both areas.
• The Gophers lost Big Ten kicker of the year Dragan Kesich, along with puner Mark Crawford. Brady Denaburg (Syracuse) is likely to step in as place kicker.
• The Gophers are regrouping on offense. After a successful season with sixth-year senior transfer Max Brosmer at the helm,Minnesota turns to his understudy -- redshirt freshman Drake Lindsay. Under Brosmer, the passing game thrived. Now he -- and a pair of his top receivers -- have departed. Javon Tracy, who caught 57 passes for 818 yards and seven TDs last year at Miami (OH) is one of the new receiving options.
It remains to be seen how well the passing game goes, but the Gophers are likely to lean on their running game early. Junior Darius Taylor had 986 yards rushing (and another 350 receiving) in 2024. Just two starters return on the offensive line, so transfers will factor into production.
• Minnesota ranked fifth nationally on defense last year. The success, however, cost them a defensive coordinator as Corey Hetherman moved on to Miami (FL). Danny Collins has moved into the position and aims to keep the Gophers flying fast and hard. All-Big Ten safety Koi Perieh leads a talented secondary. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg, the team's leading tackler last year, was drafted by the NFL Raiders. However, the linhebackers and defensive line have some quality players stepping into starting roles in both areas.
• The Gophers lost Big Ten kicker of the year Dragan Kesich, along with puner Mark Crawford. Brady Denaburg (Syracuse) is likely to step in as place kicker.
Miami at Wisconsin (9 p.m., Big Ten Network)
• Former Cincinnati Head Coach Luke Fickell has gone 13-13 over his two years at Wisconsin. After struggling on offense, the Badgers tried an uptempo spread offense in 2024. Failing to generate a more successful offense led to a change in offensive coordinators. Jeff Grimes is now OC, and with the Badgers also breaking in a transfer quarterback, Wisconsin may well flex its muscle with a run game that has been the program's trademark at times. An experienced line is available to open holes. Cade Tacanekku averaged 8,3 ypc while registering 274 rushing yards last year.
Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. is a dual-threat quarterback. As a passer, he completed 65 percent of his passes, good for 2,881 ards with 15 TDs. Vinny Anthony II, meanwhile, recorded 39 catches for 672 yards in 2024. Fickell has insisted that the Badgers must still find ways to get the ball to their receivers.
• Fickell teams are known for good defensive play. While the numbers dropped a bit last year, there is enough experience for a relatively strong showing this time around.
Former Western Michigan DE Corey Walker is part of a group that is capable of creating some havoc in the backfield.
There is enough experience at linebacker and the secondary boast three returning starters.
• Nathanial Vakos connected on 12-of-19 field goa attempts last year. Aussie kicker Atticus Bertrams averaged 45.3 yards per boot in 2024.
• Former Cincinnati Head Coach Luke Fickell has gone 13-13 over his two years at Wisconsin. After struggling on offense, the Badgers tried an uptempo spread offense in 2024. Failing to generate a more successful offense led to a change in offensive coordinators. Jeff Grimes is now OC, and with the Badgers also breaking in a transfer quarterback, Wisconsin may well flex its muscle with a run game that has been the program's trademark at times. An experienced line is available to open holes. Cade Tacanekku averaged 8,3 ypc while registering 274 rushing yards last year.
Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. is a dual-threat quarterback. As a passer, he completed 65 percent of his passes, good for 2,881 ards with 15 TDs. Vinny Anthony II, meanwhile, recorded 39 catches for 672 yards in 2024. Fickell has insisted that the Badgers must still find ways to get the ball to their receivers.
• Fickell teams are known for good defensive play. While the numbers dropped a bit last year, there is enough experience for a relatively strong showing this time around.
Former Western Michigan DE Corey Walker is part of a group that is capable of creating some havoc in the backfield.
There is enough experience at linebacker and the secondary boast three returning starters.
• Nathanial Vakos connected on 12-of-19 field goa attempts last year. Aussie kicker Atticus Bertrams averaged 45.3 yards per boot in 2024.
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