The Mid-American Conference continues to rise in football stature.

Toledo’s 29-23 upset of 21st-ranked Cincinnati added more bright light for the MAC, which went 2-1 in nonconference play last weekend against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents (Eastern Michigan defeated Army 48-38 and Buffalo lost to Pittsburgh 20-6).

The MAC now has 14 FBS wins outside the league this season. That’s the highest total in conference history, equaling the 14-win effort in 2008. Three more games against FBS opponents remain on the MAC slate: Ball State at Army, Kent State at Rutgers and Massachusetts at Vanderbilt.

Toledo coach Matt Campbell said the MAC is now able to recruit with some success against bigger programs, and that obviously makes a difference on the field.

“I think one of the great things is that so many schools in our conference have great football traditions,” Campbell said Monday during the weekly conference coaches call. “Sometimes when a young man is looking at our school compared to some of the other BCS schools that maybe haven’t had some of those traditions, I think that’s one thing that we’re all able to sell.

“If I’m a competitor, to have the opportunity to go somewhere where I have a chance to win football games … I think that’s pretty important to some kids out there today.”

Campbell was asked if he thought conference teams might start making appearances in major bowls.

“I think that certainly has the opportunity to happen,” he said. “As you see the programs and the coaches that are staying, you look at the continuity that’s starting to be created in our conference. When you look at the places where maybe that’s happened, (like) Boise State and TCU, it’s been about consistency. It’s the consistency of the head football coach and his ability to sustain his staff.”

Honor roll: The MAC announced its Players of the Week on Monday.

In the East Division, the honorees were Kent State running back Trayion Durham (offense) and place-kicker Freddie Cortez (special teams), along with Bowling Green linebacker Dwayne Woods (defense).

The West Division awards went to Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Benz (offense), Ball State tackle Nathan Ollie (defense) and Toledo kick returner Bernard Reedy (special teams).