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John Alan Richter (left), Head Coach Mike Jacobs (center), and Andrew Zock (right) attended the MAC Football Media Day in Detroit.
Photo by: Bree Bee
Toledo Picked Third in 2026 MAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll
7/22/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
Rockets open season Sept. 4 at Michigan State
DETROIT, Mich. – The Toledo football team has been picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference in the 2026 MAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced on Wednesday.
The Rockets received 115 points in the poll, trailing only defending conference champion Western Michigan (138 points) and Miami (134). Toledo was followed by Ohio (107), Central Michigan (101), Buffalo (81), Eastern Michigan (76), Kent State (64), Bowling Green (59), Akron (52), Ball State (34), Sacramento State (28) and UMass (25).
Western Michigan received nine first-place votes, while Miami collected four. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Rockets enter the 2026 season under first-year head coach Mike Jacobs after posting an 8-5 record and earning a berth in the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans.
Toledo opens the season at Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. on FS1. The Rockets' home opener – "The Biggest Party in Toledo" – against Central Connecticut State is set for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Junior quarterback John Alan Richter has thrown for 699 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Rockets added the MAC's top transfer portal class, according to 247Sports, highlighted by 11 all-conference selections from previous schools, including 2025 FCS Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Zock.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are available online, by calling or texting 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex. Three-game mini-plans are also on sale.
2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. Western Michigan (9) – 138 points
2. Miami (4) – 134 points
3. Toledo – 115 points
4. Ohio – 107 points
5. Central Michigan – 101 points
6. Buffalo – 81 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
8. Kent State – 64 points
9. Bowling Green – 59 points
10. Akron – 52 points
11. Ball State – 34 points
12. Sacramento State – 28 points
13. UMass – 25 points
MAC Championship Game Winner: Western Michigan (9), Miami (4)
The Rockets received 115 points in the poll, trailing only defending conference champion Western Michigan (138 points) and Miami (134). Toledo was followed by Ohio (107), Central Michigan (101), Buffalo (81), Eastern Michigan (76), Kent State (64), Bowling Green (59), Akron (52), Ball State (34), Sacramento State (28) and UMass (25).
Western Michigan received nine first-place votes, while Miami collected four. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Rockets enter the 2026 season under first-year head coach Mike Jacobs after posting an 8-5 record and earning a berth in the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans.
Toledo opens the season at Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. on FS1. The Rockets' home opener – "The Biggest Party in Toledo" – against Central Connecticut State is set for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Junior quarterback John Alan Richter has thrown for 699 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Rockets added the MAC's top transfer portal class, according to 247Sports, highlighted by 11 all-conference selections from previous schools, including 2025 FCS Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Zock.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are available online, by calling or texting 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex. Three-game mini-plans are also on sale.
2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. Western Michigan (9) – 138 points
2. Miami (4) – 134 points
3. Toledo – 115 points
4. Ohio – 107 points
5. Central Michigan – 101 points
6. Buffalo – 81 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
8. Kent State – 64 points
9. Bowling Green – 59 points
10. Akron – 52 points
11. Ball State – 34 points
12. Sacramento State – 28 points
13. UMass – 25 points
MAC Championship Game Winner: Western Michigan (9), Miami (4)
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