Their selections are based on how they graded the players last year.
https://www.pff.com/news/college-pff-preseason-2019-all-m...

Buffalo dominates the picks, followed by WMU, Ohio, and Miami:
Buffalo: 11 picks (5 First Team, 6 Second team)
WMU: 9 picks (3 First Team, 4 Second team, 2 Honorable Mention)
Ohio: 9 picks (4 First Team, 1 Second team, 4 Honorable Mention)
Miami: 8 picks (4,1,3)
Ball St: 8 picks (2,2,4)
NIU: 8 picks (2,3,2)
Akron: 5 picks (2,0,3)
EMU: 4 picks (2,1,1)
Kent: 3 picks (0,3,0)
BG: 3 picks (0,1,2)
Toledo: 3 picks (1,1,1)
CMU: 1 pick (0,0,1)

The odd thing here, to me, at least, is seeing Toledo so close to the bottom of the list. They are the consensus favorite to win the West.

Ohio is looking pretty good on the all-MAC charts and I think its more evidence the program has moved from a well coached football team on talent that was average for the conference (2009-2012) to a top tier program (2015-2019) with units that are best in the conference. Phil Steel's unit grades are interesting. Strong enough in most of the units to the point where it can carry the team in the early season until the weaker positions gain experience.

Quarterback (1)
Defensive Line (1)
Special Teams (1)
Defensive Backs (1)
Coaching (1)
Offensive Line (4)
Linebacker (4)
Receiving (8)
Running Back (9)