Well, from 1980 to 2005 the MAC West won 16 of 26 MAC championships, including 6 straight at one point.
So, stuff happens.
I see some signs of hope at Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and Bowling Green. And, lets be hones, it doesn't take too much to rise to the top of the MAC these days.
If it doesn't take much, then why haven't Akron and Kent fallen off? If there are signs that you see at EMU, I'd love to hear about them, because other than beating us at home, I don't think they've had a whole lot special going on up there for awhile. Ball & UT - I'll give you those. I expect UT to win the MAC west next year, or at least challenge to win it.