Ball State University Athletics
MAC Announces Preseason Football Media Poll
July 29, 2015 | Football
DETROIT, Mich. – The Mid-American Conference announced its preseason football poll Wednesday morning at its annual media day event at Ford Field. The Ball State Cardinals were picked fourth by the media in the MAC West Division.
Ball State, which returns 18 starters from last year's squad that finished 4-4 in league play, hosts both division favorites at Scheumann Stadium this fall – Toledo on Saturday, Oct. 3 (Homecoming) and Bowling Green in the regular season finale on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Toledo, the preseason West Division favorite, was also tabbed as a slight favorite over Western Michigan to win the 2015 Marathon MAC Championship game.
The Cardinals have won 16 of their past 21 MAC games (.762) dating back to 2012. Only Northern Illinois has more league wins in that stretch. Ball State has won three MAC West Division titles (2001, 2007, 2008) and five MAC championships (1976, 1978, 1989, 1993, 1996). The Cardinals last reached the MAC Championship game in 2008.
Ball State begins its preseason practice schedule next Wednesday, Aug. 5 and kicks off the 2015 schedule on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a home game against VMI.
For the most up-to-date news on the football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @Pete_Lembo.
The complete poll follows:
Team (First Place Votes) – Points
MAC East Division
1. Bowling Green (18) – 160
T2. Ohio (1) – 118
T2. Akron (2) – 118
4. UMass (3) – 113
5. Buffalo – 70
6. Miami – 47
7. Kent State – 46
MAC West Division
1. Toledo (11) – 121
2. Western Michigan (8) – 120
3. Northern Illinois (4) – 113
4. Ball State – 66
5. Central Michigan (1) – 56
6. Eastern Michigan – 28
2015 Marathon MAC Championship Game Winner:
Toledo (9); Western Michigan (8); Northern Illinois (6); Central Michigan (1).
