The Massachusetts football team found a new home within the Mid-American Conference preseason media poll, as it wasn’t selected to finish last in the MAC East for the first time in its four-year history as part of the conference.

At Wednesday’s annual MAC football media day, held in Detroit, Michigan, it was revealed UMass was picked to finish fourth in the East and sixth overall in 2015. The Minutemen earned three of 24 first-place votes, marking their first top-votes since joining the MAC.

Bowling Green, the 2014 East champion, led the way within the division with 160 total points (18 first-place votes) while Toledo (121 points) narrowly edged out Western Michigan (120) in the preseason MAC West poll.

The Rockets also topped the Broncos by a single vote as the top pick for overall MAC champion, an area where UMass did not receive any recognition.

The Minutemen finished last season 3-9 (3-5 MAC) for their best record in three seasons playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. They begin their 2015 season on Sept. 12 at Colorado.

Below are the complete results for the MAC preseason media poll:

MAC East:

1.   Bowling Green – 160 points (18 first-place)

T2. Akron – 118 (2)

T2. Ohio – 118 (1)

4.   UMass – 113 (3)

5.   Buffalo – 70

6.   Miami (OH) – 47

7.   Kent State – 46

MAC West:

1.   Toledo – 121 (11)

2.   Western Michigan – 120 (8)

3.   Northern Illinois – 113 (4)

4.   Ball State – 66

5.   Central Michigan – 56 (1)

6.  Eastern Michigan – 28

2015 MAC Champion: Toledo (9), Western Michigan (8), Northern Illinois (6), Central Michigan (1)

Anthony Chiusano can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.