2024 MAC football schedules: When CMU, EMU, WMU play midweek games

The Mid-American Conference released its 2024 football schedule, and for fans of instate rivalries, at least two of the local teams in the league are ending the season right.

Eastern Michigan visits Western Michigan on Nov. 30 (a Saturday, no less) in the regular season finale. Meanwhile, Central Michigan closes the season at Northern Illinois, the same day. In recent years, the MAC schedule ended by the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The MAC is eliminating the divisions format next season, and all 12 teams will play one another, both home and road, at least once in a three-year period. But traditional rivalries have been protected, so expect all three Michigan MAC schools to play one another every season.

But the hallmark of the MAC schedule, midweek games in November, will continue in 2024. CMU will host WMU on Nov. 19 in Mount Pleasant. But the Chippewas’ matchup at Eastern Michigan will be on a Saturday, Oct. 19.

The Eagles, who went 6-7 last season and played in the 68 Ventures Bowl, opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at UMass, which will join the MAC in the 2025-26 academic year. EMU will also visit new Big Ten team Washington on Sept. 7 before opening the home portion of the schedule at Rynearson Stadium against Jacksonville State on Sept. 14. The home finale will be Nov. 20 (Wednesday) against Buffalo.

The Broncos (4-8 in 2023) open the season on Aug. 31 at Wisconsin. WMU will then visit Ohio State on Sept. 7 before the home opener at Waldo Stadium on Sept. 14 against Bethune Cookman.

The Chippewas (5-7 in 2023) open the campaign on Aug. 29 against Central Connecticut State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. San Diego State visits CMU on Sept. 28.

The MAC championship game at Ford Field will be Dec. 7.

Game times and television assignments will be announced later this year.