If you’ve been scouring the internet to figure out who won the MA, you’ve probably realized by now that the acronym is doing some heavy lifting. Depending on who you ask, "the MA" could be the gritty football showdown in the Mid-American Conference or the high-stakes basketball drama of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Honestly, it's kinda confusing if you're just looking for a quick score.
In the world of college sports, 2025 was a year of absolute chaos and legacy-defining plays. We saw powerhouses stumble and underdogs literally rewrite the record books.
The Mid-American Conference (MAC): A Detroit Thriller
Let’s talk football first. The Western Michigan Broncos are the ones who walked away with the 2025 MAC Football Title. They faced off against the Miami RedHawks in a game that felt more like a chess match than a typical college blowout.
It went down at Ford Field in Detroit. If you weren't there, you missed a defensive masterclass. Western Michigan took the win with a final score of 23-13. The RedHawks, led by coach Chuck Martin, kept it close for three quarters, but the Broncos' offensive line—spearheaded by veteran Raheem Anderson II—basically bullied their way into the end zone when it mattered most.
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The atmosphere was electric. 19,114 fans packed the stands, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. For Western Michigan, this wasn't just another trophy; it was a statement. Coach Lance Taylor has spent the last couple of seasons building a culture of "toughness over talent," and it finally paid off in the biggest way possible.
Mount St. Mary’s Shakes Up the MAAC
Now, if you were actually asking about the other "MA"—the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)—the story shifts to the hardwood.
Mount St. Mary’s is the answer there. They clinched the 2025 MAAC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Atlantic City. Think about that for a second. They weren't exactly the favorites going into the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. But they went on a tear from March 11–15, eventually securing that golden ticket: an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament.
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The MAAC is notorious for being a "one-bid league," meaning if you don't win the tournament, your season is basically over. The pressure is insane. Seeing the Mount celebrate on that Atlantic City floor was a reminder of why we love March. They played with a level of desperation that the higher-seeded teams just couldn't match.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Wins
People tend to look at the final score and think they know the whole story. They don't.
For example, in the MAC championship, the stats don't show how Western Michigan’s safety, Tate Hallock, played half the fourth quarter with a "rub some dirt on it" mentality after a brutal hit. That’s the kind of nuance you miss if you’re just checking a ticker.
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In the MAAC, everyone talks about the offense, but the Mount won because of their transition defense. They held three straight opponents to under 40% shooting from the field. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective.
Why It Matters for 2026
Looking ahead, these victories have set a massive precedent. We are already seeing the "Marist effect" in the 2026 season. As of mid-January 2026, the Marist Red Foxes are riding a four-game winning streak in the MAAC, recently dismantling Fairfield 82-67.
The landscape is shifting. The teams that "won the MA" in 2025 aren't just sitting on their laurels; they’ve painted targets on their backs.
- Western Michigan is now the team to beat in the Midwest.
- Mount St. Mary’s has proven that the MAAC belongs to whoever wants it most in March.
- Marist is emerging as the 2026 dark horse to watch.
Your Next Move: How to Keep Up
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the rest of the 2026 season, stop just looking at the "MA" acronym. Start looking at the individual conference standings for the Mid-American and the Metro Atlantic.
- Follow the Mid-American Conference official site for recruitment updates; the Broncos are currently scouting heavy in the portal to defend their title.
- Watch the MAAC standings closely this month. Marist's home winning streak is currently at seven games, and they face a tough road trip next week that will test if they’re actually title contenders.
- Check the injury reports for Western Michigan. Defending a title is harder than winning one, especially with the "target" factor.
The 2025 winners have already etched their names into history. Now, we wait to see who has the guts to take it from them in 2026.