The Mid-America Conference championship is the second-longest running league title game after the SEC (the Big 12 ended its championship after 2010). This league's contest has taken place at Ford Field in Detroit since 2003, as the game was previously played at the school with the best record (1997-2002). The winners of the Eastern and Western divisions of the MAC meet in the title game, as Northern Illinois has played in the championship each of the last three years.
The Huskies won the latest installment in two overtimes over Kent State, 44-37 as five-point favorites, as NIU claimed its second straight conference title. The victory by Northern Illinois snapped a four-game ATS skid for the favorites, as underdogs are now 10-6 ATS in the MAC championship. Marshall participated in the first six MAC title games (including five at home), winning five times before exiting the conference to head to Conference USA. Central Michigan currently owns the most MAC titles for active league members with three, while Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), and Toledo have each claimed two conference championships.