DETROIT -- Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will enter the 2018 football season as underdogs in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
The MAC released its preseason media poll on Tuesday, with WMU predicted to finish third, followed by EMU and CMU.
Northern Illinois is projected to finish first in the West, while Ohio is projected to win the East Division.
Last season, the Chippewas finished second in the West at 6-2, while the Broncos were fourth at 4-4. The Eagles finished fifth at 3-5.
In the last three years, six MAC programs have competed in the conference championship game, while all 12 teams have received an invitation to a bowl game during the last six years.