In the East Division, Ohio was selected first with a league-best 140 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Buffalo Bulls finished second with 112 points, while the Miami RedHawks finished third with 95 points. Defending MAC East Champion Akron Zips finished fourth with 74 points, followed by Bowling Green and Kent State.
In the West Division, Northern Illinois was selected first in the Division with 133 total points. Following the Huskies, defending West Champion Toledo finished second with 125 points, while the Western Michigan Broncos were third with 87 points. Eastern Michigan ranked fourth with 67 points, followed by Central Michigan and Ball State.
This reflects on the competitive nature of the MAC. In the last three years, six different MAC programs have competed in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game and every football program has received an invitation to a bowl game during the last six years (2012-17).
The complete poll follows:
Team (First Place Votes) Points
MAC East Division
1. Ohio (21) 140
2. Buffalo (1) 112
3. Miami (2) 95
4. Akron 74
5. Bowling Green 58
6. Kent State 25
MAC West Division
1. Northern Illinois (15) 133
2. Toledo (7) 125
3. Western Michigan (1) 87
4. Eastern Michigan 67
5. Central Michigan (1) 58
6. Ball State 34
2018 MAC Championship Game Winner: Ohio (13); Toledo (5); Northern Illinois (4); Miami (1); Central Michigan (1).