Entering the 2024 season, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) dispensed with divisions for the first time since 1996, necessitating the use of new tiebreaking procedures. With one set of conference standings rather than two division standings, the new MAC tiebreakers were put in place to help determine who would compete in the MAC Conference Game.
The MAC standings are initially determined based on the conference record against opponents. No games against non-conference opponents are considered when initially setting the standings for who plays in the MAC Championship Game. In the event of a tie when it comes to conference winning percentage, the MAC tiebreakers below are used.
To find out how PFSN’s analytics see the current MAC season playing out, visit our College FPM table to see every team’s percentage chance of making the MAC Conference Championship Game. If you want to test out different scenarios of your own, then be sure to check out the PFSN College Football Playoff Predictor.
MAC Two-Team Tiebreakers
If two teams are tied for first place in the standings, they will both participate in the Championship Game. However, the tiebreaking procedure outlined below will be used to determine which team is considered the home team and which is considered the road team. In the event of a tie for second place in the standings, the following process will be used to determine who will advance to the MAC Championship Game.
1) The winner of any head-to-head matchup between the two teams (if applicable).
2) Win percentage against all common opponents.
3) Win percentage versus common opponents based on their order of finish (overall conference win percentage, with ties broken), and then moving through other common opponents based on order of finish.
4) Combined conference win percentage of each team’s conference opponent.
5) The highest ranking by SportsSource Analytics’ Team Rating Score following the regular season.
6) Random draw.
MAC Three (or More) Team Tiebreakers
If, after any step in the following procedure, one or two teams are either superior or inferior to the others, they are removed from the tiebreaking procedure, and the remaining teams either go to the two-team tiebreaker or return to the start of the three-team tiebreaking procedure.
1) If all teams played each other, then the records for those teams in those games would be compared.
2) If all the teams did not play each other, but one team either defeated or was defeated by ALL the other teams, they shall be removed from the tiebreaking procedure.
3) Win percentage against all common opponents.
4) Win percentage versus common opponents based on their order of finish (overall conference win percentage, with ties broken), and then moving through other common opponents based on order of finish.
5) Combined conference win percentage of each team’s conference opponent.
6) Each team’s ranking by SportsSource Analytics’ Team Rating Score following the regular season.
7) Random draw.
If multiple teams are tied for top spot in the MAC standings, and two teams emerge as superior after any step, those two teams shall contest the MAC Championship Game. A two-team tiebreaker will be applied to determine the home and road designation.