:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29314743/454067719.0.jpg)
The Don't Let Me Down Easiest Schedule: The Buffalo New York Bulls
The Bulls are one of three teams to enjoy the advantage of playing every team in division. They also get a very generous West crossover of EMU and CMU at home (The Quinn Bowl). Buffalo also enjoys one of the easiest out of conference schedules, so they should be fresh for their MAC play. The only bad part about the schedule is UB faces it's stiffest competition on the road, they will travel to Bowling Green and to Ohio this year.
Point of Interest: The end of the season rivalry game where UB loses to Bowling Green is no more. The MAC gives THE BATTLE FOR THE UB/UMASS POWDERHORN it's proper respect by moving it to the season finale. This is a nice perk for NYC area fans, as UMass is 3 hours by car from the NYC metro area vs. the 6 hour drive to the good Amherst.
The Don't Call It A Comeback Second Easiest Schedule: The Akron Zips
Akron's comeback is solidified by a soft schedule. Akron gets EMU, Miami, UMass and Kent at home, and with those 4 wins, Akron could be a contender in the MAC East and they could find themselves bowl eligible. Akron has to travel to Ohio, Ball State and Buffalo, so Akron's contender status will be earned on the road.
Point of Interest: Akron played Michigan tough in 2013 which propelled the team to a good year in MAC play. In 2014, Akron will play at Penn State and at Pittsburgh, will the tough games hinder the progress of the Zips, or make them stronger?
The Why Can't We Be Friends? Third Easiest Schedule: The Miami Redhawks
Miami technically has a good schedule, they have to play NIU but they avoid Bowling Green and get winnable games vs WMU and at CMU.
Point of Interest: However, they play five of six games on the road between September 13 and October 18. Miami travels to Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Akron and NIU in that span.
The Know Your Enemey Middle Schedule: The Bowling Green Falcons
Bowling Green knows their enemy, the Toledo Rockets. The Champs always have a tough schedule because they always play out of division rival Toledo, a team that is usually pretty good. This year Bowling Green also plays Ball State in the West and doesn't get the cupcake Miami game.
Point of Interest: Bowling Green plays Toledo and Ball State in their final two MAC games of the year, while UB on the same days play Kent State and UMass. The schedule could have massive MAC East implications.
The Awww Mannnnnn Third Worst Schedule: The UMass Minutemen
UMass travels to Toledo, hosts Ball State but has a winnable game at home against EMU.
Point of Interest: Sadly for the Minutes, they don't get Ohio this year. Ohio has a knack for losing one really bad game a year (see: Miami 2012, CMU 2013) and the last time Ohio traveled to the Bay State, the Bobcats only won by staging a furious comeback to win 37-34.
The Cat Scratch Fever Second Worst Schedule: The Ohio Bobcats
Ohio starts the season in Kent, which is always tough without a warmup game. They don't get the "easy" UMass game, and instead have to face off against NIU in November.
Point of Interest: If Ohio avoids their trademark let down games, the schedule could work for them. The Bobcats have a great road draw, at Kent, at CMU, at WMU and at Miami. The meat of their schedule, Akron, Buffalo, Bowling Green and NIU all have to go into Peden. Because of this, it's safe to say the road to the MAC East starts in Athens, Ohio.
The "The Worst" Worst Schedule: Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent loses Dri Archer the 2nd fastest football man of all time, starts the season with a pivotal MAC East game vs. Ohio, plays the tough South Alabama (USA USA) goes to Ohio State, goes to Virginia and then goes to NIU. If Kent survives that first month intact, they face an even more torturous last month vs Toledo, at BGSU, at Buffalo and vs Akron for the Wagon Wheel.
Point of Interest: It's early for predictions, but OH MY GOD KENT IS TOAST.