MAC Bowl Grades: How Every Team Performed

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 4:13 PM ET

Let's just say it was an interesting bowl season for the MAC.

The conference only had five teams in the bowl fun, and other than Western Michigan, no one scored. There was a whole lot of ugly, even with three good performances out of the five.

Ohio was missing its head coach - literally - Toledo and Central Michigan had to play Power Four programs, and just like that, it was over. The MAC bowl season ended right after Christmas.

Here are the CFN bowl grades for all five MAC teams.

Grading Every MAC Team’s Bowl Game Performance

Ohio Bowl Grade

Kaboom. Through all of the controversy and craziness, and all the UNLV over love, Ohio went about its business and took home a bowl win.

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Ohio vs UNLV
Final Score: Ohio 17, UNLV 10
Line: UNLV -4.5, o/u: 62.5
Grade: A

Western Michigan Bowl Grade

It was a strong moment for the MAC with a total annihilation of the Conference USA champion. The Broncos got a big touchdown run 18 seconds into the game, came up with a fumble return for a score a few minutes later, and it was an ugly blowout before most of America realized the game was on.

Myrtle Beach Bowl presented by Engine
Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan
Final Score: Western Michigan 41, Kennesaw State 6
Line: Western Michigan -4.5, o/u: 47.5
Grade: A

Toledo Bowl Grade

It was a loss, but the Rockets fought the good fight against an ACC team for the second straight bowl year despite a coaching change and some missing parts. Louisville had a hard time landing the plane - it had to work way too hard to get rid of Toledo.

Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl
Louisville vs Toledo
Final Score: Louisville 27, Toledo 22
Line: Louisville -8.5, o/u: 45.5
Grade: B

Central Michigan Bowl Grade

Central was supposed to lose to the Big Ten team, but it wasn’t even close. It gave it the old college try, but it didn’t matter. It was 21-0 at halftime, and 34-0 before finally getting on the board.

GameAbove Sports Bowl
Northwestern vs Central Michigan
Final Score: Northwestern 34, Central Michigan 7
Line: Northwestern -12.5, o/u: 43.5
Grade: C-

Miami University Bowl Grade

Three points against another Group of Five program - that’s not okay for a team as good as Miami. It scored first to go up 3-0, and that was it. The RedHawks came up with just 192 yards of total offense.

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Miami University vs Fresno State
Final Score: Fresno State 18, Miami University 3
Line: Fresno State -5.5, o/u: 40.5
Grade: D

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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