Offenses
1.
Northern Illinois
The nation's 16th ranked offense last season won't be
quite as explosive without top receivers Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers,
and the ground game might not be the same after losing a few star
linemen, but there's more than enough talent returning to hang some big
numbers on the board. Garrett Wolfe is one of the nation's best running
backs and will be the focal point of the attack. The quarterback
situation is tremendous with Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson each good
enough to win All-MAC honors. Receiver Britt Davis is a rising star who
has to blow up to open things up for Wolfe and the ground game. The
tackles are the MAC's best with future NFLer Doug Free on the left side
and sophomore Jon Brost on the other.
2. Toledo
3. Central Michigan
4. Akron
5. Miami Univ.
6. Bowling Green
7. Western Michigan
8. Ball State
9. Eastern Michigan
10. Ohio
11. Kent State
12. Buffalo
1.
Northern Illinois
It's the best situation in the MAC with two bona fide
number one quarterbacks in Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson. The
competition is supposedly open for the starting job though the
fall, but it'll be a shock if Horvath, the nation's leader in
completion percentage before going down with a broken arm, isn't
the main man when the Ohio State game comes around. Ryan Morris
will be the emergency quarterback, but top recruit Billy Lowe
will likely be the number three man sooner than later.
2. Akron
3. Ball State
4. Western Michigan
5. Toledo
6. Miami Univ.
7. Bowling Green
8. Kent State
9. Eastern Michigan
10. Central Michigan
11. Buffalo
12. Ohio
1.
Northern Illinois
It's all about keeping Garrett Wolfe fresh. While Wolfe
might be one of the toughest backs in the country, he wore down
last year with knee and shoulder injuries. It's too tempting not
to get him the ball 30 times a game, but the backups need to be
a steady part of the offense early on. With Adrian Davis and A.J.
Harris gone, it'll be up to the speedy Montrell Clenson and the
big Cas Prime to be effective enough to keep things rolling when
No. 1 is getting a rest.
2. Central Michigan
3. Ohio
4. Toledo
5. Miami University
6. Ball State
7. Western Michigan
8. Ball State
9. Akron
10. Bowling Green
11. Buffalo
12. Eastern Michigan
1.
Toledo
The potential is there for the Rockets to be really, really good
here. Steve Odom is a rock-solid number one receiver who'll make
all the big catches and be the consistent player the rest of the
corps can work around. Nick Moore and David Washington are
rising stars, while lightning fast Trumaine Smith and veteran
Andrew Hawkins will each see starting time at some point. The
tight end situation is even better with Chris Hopkins, John
Allen and Josh Powell forming a three-headed monster that'll
likely combine for around 70 catches.
2. Eastern Michigan
3. Central Michigan
4. Bowling Green
5. Kent State
6. Miami University
7. Northern Illinois
8. Ball State
9. Akron
10. Western Michigan
11. Ohio
12. Buffalo
1.
Toledo
The line was the best in the MAC last season allowing a mere
13 sacks while paving the way 2,602 rushing yards and a 5.3 yard per
carry average. Most of the reason was continuity with all five starters
playing in the same spot in every game. Four starters return with the
only opening at right guard where Jesse Anderson will fill in for Chris
Wakeman. John Greco is an All-MAC performer at left tackle while guard
David Perkins isn't far behind.
2. Northern Illinois
3. Akron
4. Bowling Green
5. Western Michigan
6. Eastern Michigan
7. Ohio
8. Miami University
9. Central Michigan
10. Ball State
11. Kent State
12. Buffalo
1.
Toledo
Defensive coordinator Tim Rose did wonders in his first
season turning around an awful defense. The Rockets have a flexible 3-4
alignment with the speedy outside linebackers used as pass rushing ends
and the front three mostly used to stop the run. Seven starters return
to the MAC's best defense, but there are leadership holes to fill losing
top linebacker Anthony Jordan and longtime star safety Keon Jackson.
Linebacker Mike Alston is one of the league's best pass rushers while
safety Tyrrell Herbert is on the verge of all-star honors.
2. Akron
3. Northern Illinois
4. Kent State
5. Miami University
6. Western Michigan
7. Bowling Green
8. Ohio
9. Central Michigan
10. Eastern Michigan
11. Ball State
12. Buffalo
1.
Toledo
This is an unheralded group that worked well together
helping the Rockets hold teams to 125 rushing yards per game. There
isn't a dominant pass rusher in the front three, but that's not
necessarily a role that needs filling with all the pressure applied from
the linebacking corps. Even so, Sean Williamson and Seth Thitoff are
good at getting into the backfield and J.P. Bekasiak is a good anchor in
the middle. The only concern is size with the line relying on quickness
rather than bulk.
2. Northern Illinois
3. Akron
4. Western Michigan
5. Kent State
6. Miami University
7. Bowling Green
8. Central Michigan
9. Eastern Michigan
10. Ohio
11. Ball State
12. Buffalo
1.
Toledo
The Toledo defensive system will help this
group succeed despite the loss of leading tackler Anthony Jordan and
third leading tackler David Thomas. This is a versatile unit with a
bunch of safeties being used to make plays both as linebackers and as
defensive ends. Mike Alston does a little of everything well at one
outside spot as the team's best pass rusher and an improving run
stopper. There aren't any huge prototype linebackers, but they can all
run.
2. Ohio
3. Northern Illinois
4. Western Michigan
5. Central Michigan
6. Akron
7. Eastern Michigan
8. Ball State
9. Bowling Green
10. Miami University
11. Buffalo
12. Kent State
1.
Akron
Akron finished second in the MAC in pass
defense after allowing 181 yards per game and 18 touchdowns, but there's
still room for improvement after giving up too many short to midrange
passes and only coming up with seven interceptions. Four starters return
led by playmaking Rover John Mackey and longtime starting corner Reggie
Corner. There's hope for a bigger all-around season with the healthy
return of safeties Chris Brown and Chevin Pace after each was banged up
throughout last season. The group is so deep that Dionte Henry, a
21-game starter, will likely start the season as a reserve.
2. Toledo
3. Kent State
4. Miami University
5. Northern Illinois
6. Bowling Green
7. Buffalo
8. Western Michigan
9. Ohio
10. Central Michigan
11. Ball State
12. Eastern Michigan
1. Miami University
If Nathan Parseghian can be a reliable placekicker,
special teams will be one of Miami's strengths. Jacob Richardson needs
to boost up his average, but that'll come in time. Ryne Robinson is one
of the nation's best punt returners who could finish his career as the
best in college football history yardage-wise. Speedy Sean McVay is a
dangerous kickoff returner.
2. Western Michigan
3. Ball State
4. Northern Illinois
5. Central Michigan
6. Eastern Michigan
7. Bowling Green
8. Toledo
9. Kent State
10. Akron
11. Ohio
12. Buffalo
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