The MAC has officially announced that its league members will play a nine-game conference football schedule beginning in 2028.
“College football continues to change, and our responsibility is to make thoughtful decisions that position the Mid-American Conference and our institutions for long-term success,” said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. “Moving to a nine-game Conference schedule provides greater Conference exposure for our programs while maintaining flexibility for meaningful non-conference competition.”
Beginning in 2028, each MAC school will play nine conference games and three non-conference opponents.
“Just as importantly, this decision allows us to continue building a schedule that serves our student-athletes, our institutions, and our fans,” Steinbrecher continued. “The MAC has always valued competition, rivalry and opportunity, and this next step reflects those priorities.”
The Conference will continue working with its membership to develop the nine-game scheduling model, including future opponent rotations and considerations related to competitive balance, geographic rivalries, travel, and home-game opportunities. The move will also provide additional Conference football inventory as the MAC continues to strengthen its national television and media relationships.
“Throughout our history, the MAC has demonstrated the ability to adapt thoughtfully while preserving the traditions and rivalries that define our Conference,” Steinbrecher added. “This move is consistent with that approach and represents another step in strengthening the student-athlete and institutional experience across the league.”
Looking at future MAC schedules, the following schools will need to cancel at least one non-conference game: Akron (one each in 2028 through 2030), Buffalo (one each in 2028 and 2029), Eastern Michigan (one each in 2028 and 2030), and UMass (one in 2028).
Football Schedules
So at least one team will have to play 8 every year if they stay with 13 schools. I wonder if Sac State will always play 8 due to the travel. Also wonder if other G6 conferences will follow suit.
Call me wrong for this, but the MAC and the American are the only conferences I see moving forward with a 9 game conference schedule.
C-USA and Sun Belt have always filled in P4’s Non-Conference schedules,
MW and Pac-12 have too few members to play 9 conference games (I don’t think Hawaii wants to round robin especially)
American still at 8