CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference announced its football preseason coaches' poll on Wednesday with the Western Michigan football team picked to finish second in the MAC West.

The Broncos received two first-place votes and totaled 53 points amongst the league's coaches. WMU is just one point behind Toledo who was picked to win the MAC West with 54 points and four first-place votes.

Western Michigan is predicted to finish ahead of in-state rival and defending MAC West champion Central Michigan who garnered 52 points and five first-place votes. Behind CMU was Ball State with 50 points and one first-place vote.

The Broncos look to capture the program's fourth MAC West title and first since 2016. Since 2015 WMU has recorded 28 conference victories, the most in the MAC. Last season the Brown & Gold finished with a 7-6 overall record and 5-3 in MAC play.

WMU will open the season on the road at Akron on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:00 p.m. with the game being streamed on ESPN3. The Broncos' Nov. 11 home opener against MAC West foe Toledo is slated for an 8:00 p.m., kickoff on ESPN2.

Below is the 2020 MAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll:

West Division Predicted Order of Finish (first place votes in parenthesis)
1. Toledo (4) – 54 points
2. WESTERN MICHIGAN (2) – 53 POINTS
3. Central Michigan (5) – 52 points
4. Ball State (1) – 50 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 22 points
6. Northern Illinois – 21 points

East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Miami (6) – 64 points
2. Buffalo (4) – 58 points
3. Ohio (1) – 48 points
4. Kent State – 42 points
5. Bowling Green – 23 points
6. Akron (1) – 17 points
 
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