CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Northern Illinois over Miami
University
Expect more of the same. Sure, Central Michigan, Western
Michigan and Ball State will be better making the West a nastier
division, but it’ll be Northern Illinois and defending champion
Akron the favorites to meet again for the title. Despite being
in the chase for the championship, Toledo, Bowling Green and
Miami have to do some rebuilding. None of the five top teams is
a world-beater and it’ll take a big upset to make much
non-conference noise despite several high-profile games against
good BCS programs. The spotlight will shine brightest on NIU and
star RB Garrett Wolfe, who’ll be a threat for 2,000 yards giving
the league a much-needed marquee star after losing Bruce
Gradkowski, Greg Jennings and Omar Jacobs.
1. The West will be far better than the East. Ohio, Kent State
and Buffalo would all likely finish at the West bottom, while
Eastern Michigan would have a shot at a top four spot if it was
in the East.
2. Ball State will be this year’s sleeper. It beat NIU and Akron
late last year once all the team’s suspensions were served and
should come out strong with Eastern Michigan and Buffalo in two
of its first three MAC games.
3. Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart will have a higher profile
gig next year at this time.
Nov. 7th Toledo at Northern Illinois.
The Rockets had absolutely owned the Huskies until a stunning
35-17 NIU win last year in the Rubber Bowl changed all of that.
These should be the two best teams in the MAC with the winner of
this nationally televised showdown almost certain to represent
the West in the conference title.
Predicted record:
7-5
Conf. record: 6-2
Best
Player:
QB
Luke Getsy, Sr.
Offense
-
There could stand to be a bit more balance after being mainly a passing
attack, and there needs to be more overall production after averaging
23.6 points and 384 yards per game. The offense wasn't consistent last
year and will have problems getting the same performance two weeks in a
row losing RB Brett Biggs and top receivers Dominek Hixon and Jason
Montgomery. The cupboard is hardly bare with eight returning starters
including the entire offensive line and likely All-MAC QB Luke Getsy.
Defense - The 3-3-5 defense of Jim Fleming should be even better
with eight starters returning including several All-MAC candidates. Kiki
Gonzalez will get more respect this season as one of the league's best
linemen, while end Jermaine Reid will be a terror of a pass rusher.
Linebackers Kevin Grant and Brion Stokes will more than make up for the
loss of leading tackler Jay Rohr, while Rover John Mackey will be the
tone-setting leader of what should be the MAC's best secondary.
This
season will be a success if …
Akron wins
the MAC title. How do you shoot for anything less after winning it all
last year? Even with seven road games a ten-win season is very possible
as long as there's a second championship and a bowl victory.
Predicted record:
6-6
Conf. record: 6-2
Best
Player:
WR/PR
Ryne Robinson, Sr.
Offense
- The RedHawks threw for a ton of yards last year finishing 15th in the
nation, but the attack was inconsistent and wasn't as good running the
ball as it should've been. Now the line has to replace three All-MAC
starters, top receiver Martin Nance, and for good and bad, veteran
quarterback Josh Betts. Expect more from the ground game with an
excellent stable of backs led by All-MAC candidate Brandon Murphy. The
receiving corps is big, but a bit untested outside of flashy veteran
Ryne Robinson. The line will be fine as long as the starting five is
healthy; there's no depth whatsoever. The quarterback situation will be
an ongoing saga all summer long with mobile veteran backup Mike Kokal
getting the first crack at the gig.
Defense - Only two starters return from last year's solid D with
the biggest concern at linebacker where finding starters is a big enough
problem without worrying about reserves. The secondary should be fine
with great looking prospects like CB Frank Wiwo and SS Robbie Wilson
ready to play more prominent roles, and getting to the quarterback won't
be a problem for the line. With the problems at linebacker and the
smallish tackles (other than 306-pound Otto Linwood), stopping the run
will be the primary problem early on.
This
season will be a success if …
Miami wins
the East. Even with all the new starters this will still be among the
league's most talented teams. Anything less than playing for the MAC
title will be a disappointment, but that's setting the bar way too high
if the injury bug strikes early on.
3.
Bowling Green
Predicted record:
7-5
Conf. record: 5-3
Best
Player:
DE
Devon Parks, Sr.
Offense
-
Things will change a bit with QB Omar Jacobs leaving early for the NFL.
While he was one of the greatest pure passers in Bowling Green history,
he wasn't mobile. New starter Anthony Turner won't throw like Jacobs
did, but the offense has far more now because of his running ability.
The other skill positions are bigger issues losing backs B.J. Lane and
P.J. Pope and receivers Charles Sharon and Steve Sanders with little
overall experience among the replacements. The line will be the strength
early on with three solid All-MAC candidates to work around.
Defense - Patience will be the key word for the young defense
that needs several underclassmen to play like seasoned veterans and add
more speed to the front seven. Stopping the run will be the first
priority after allowing 175 yards per game and 20 touchdowns, and it'll
have to be quickness that does the trick with no size up front and big
questions at middle linebacker. The secondary will make big mistakes
early on before growing into something strong. Sophomore corners Antonio
Smith and Kenny Lewis will be good ones if Devon Parks, Diyral Briggs,
and the rest of the speed ends play as expected and get to the
quarterback early and often.
This
season will be a success if …
Bowling
Green wins the East. The schedule works out well with the
division's best team, Miami, coming to Perry Stadium. The possibility of
a ten-win regular season is there with the biggest MAC games coming at
the end of the year when the team will be as jelled as it's going to
be..
Predicted record:
2-10
Conf. record: 1-7
Best
Player:
TE
Chad Upshaw, Sr.
Offense
- Ten
points per game. Ten. That's what the 2005 UB offense cranked out
scoring a mere seven points in the first quarter. New offensive
coordinator Gerald Carr has his work cut out for him. The first step to
respectability will come from better play on the line, but that won't
happen for a while. Drew Willy is a decent quarterback prospect who
needs time to work, the receiving corps is full of decent prospects who
need time to develop, and the backfield is full of decent prospects that
need room to move. That means it’s up to the huge, inexperienced line
that has to be far, far better than last season.
Defense - The old 4-2-5 alignment has been scrapped for a true
4-3 under defensive coordinator Jimmy Williams. That's a good thing
considering the returning production at linebacker with Ramon Guzman and
Jeff Bublavi leading a group that should be one of the team's strengths
by season's end. The secondary will be fine once the new corners get
their feet wet with safeties Kareem Byrom and Jesse Imes providing the
help early on. The line has to find a consistent pass rusher to replace
Aaron Sanders.
This
season will be a success if …
UB wins
four games. Considering the Bulls haven't won more than three since
moving to D-I, a four victory season would be reason for a parade.
Predicted record:
2-10
Conf. record: 1-7
Best
Player:
DE
Daniel Muir, Sr.
Offense
- The
one dimensional attack should be more diverse as speedy new backs Eugene
Jarvis and Tony Howard should do wonders for a ground game that averaged
a nation-worst 45.9 yards per game. Even with the night-and-day
improvement in the backfield, it'll be hard not to wing it around with
big bomber Michael Machen back at the helm for the second straight
season and with a deep and talented group of receivers to work with. The
line should be better if everyone can stay healthy and tackle Augustus
Parrish and center Josh Perry blossom into the stars they appeared to be
this spring.
Defense - The experience is there, now it has to produce. The
line has two of the MAC's best all-around players in Danny Muir, who'll
move from tackle to end, and Colin Ferrell, while corners Jack Williams
and Usama Young could grow into the league's top tandem. The secondary
has depth to burn, so the concern is up front where the front seven, in
some alignment of a 3-4 or 4-3 depending on where it uses a Buck end,
has to be better against the run after finishing last in the league
allowing 203 yards per game. The linebacking corps will need time with
three sophomores occupying the starting jobs.
This
season will be a success if …
Kent State
wins five games. There's enough experience to expect a good year, and
there's no reason not to get a few wins against teams like Army, Temple,
Ohio, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Ball State.
Predicted record:
2-10
Conf. record: 1-7
Best
Player:
LB
Matt Muncy, Sr.
Offense
-
There's no question the running game will be among the best in the MAC
thanks to the return of a huge, veteran line and potential all-star RB
Kalvin McRae, but the passing game needs a lot of tinkering. It's an
open casting call for the starting quarterback job with veteran Austen
Everson a shaky passer at best. The receiving corps has the potential to
be much better with improved play from the quarterbacks with speedster
Scott Mayle needing to be used more to open things up for the rest of
the offense. More points will come once the passing is better. Ohio
finished second-to-last in America (ahead of only Duke) with a team
rating of 84.12.
Defense - Nine starters return to a defense that got shoves all
over the field against the run and bombed on by anyone who could throw a
football overhand. The linebacking corps will be the strength with MLB
Matt Muncy among the best in the country and Tyler Russ and Michael
Graham strong returning starters on the outside. The secondary should be
far better even after the loss of all-star CB Dion Byrum thanks to a
good-looking group of safeties. Finding some semblance of a pass rush
will be the key up front.
This
season will be a success if …
OU win six
games. That's a much, much bigger goal than it might seem with a team
that returns plenty of experience after a four-win campaign. The overall
talent level still isn't there compared to the better MAC teams.
West Division
Predicted record:
9-3
Conf. record: 7-1
Best
Player:
RB
Garrett Wolfe, Sr.
Offense
- 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. With Adrian Davis and A.J. Harris gone, a
number two runner is needed to provide some help. 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.
Defense - The NIU defense sacrifices size for speed, and while
that was great for the back seven last year, the line didn't produce
nearly enough big plays. That should change as Larry English is on the
verge of being an unstoppable pass rusher on the other side of Ken West,
and there's good interior quickness from sophomore Craig Rusch. However,
there's almost no size. The team's biggest position battle is at corner
with twins Adriel and Alvah Hansbrough looking to hold off sophomores
Melvin Rice and Bradley Pruitt. Whatever happens, the competition should
make for a stronger secondary. The linebacking corps will be steady, but
not spectacular.
This
season will be a success if …
NIU wins the MAC title. It's never fun when anything less than a
championship is a failure of a season, but it has gotten to that point
for the Huskies.
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 7-1
Best
Player:
OT
John Greco, Jr.
Offense
-
Expect more of the same from an offense that led the MAC in just about
everything except passing offense, but it was the league's second most
efficient attack. The ground game should be just as dominant as long as
backs Jalen Parmele and Scooter McDougle can get and stay healthy. Four
starters return to the league's best offensive line and should have few
problems opening up huge holes. The big question is at quarterback where
Clint Cochran replaces Bruce Gradkowski, but he appears to have the
offense down. The passing game will be more than fine with three
fantastic tight ends and a number one receiver in Steve Odom to carry a
young corps.
Defense - 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
This
season will be a success if …
Toledo wins
the MAC title. The schedule works out well enough and the experience and
talent is in place. Finding a way to get by a road trip to Northern
Illinois will be key while avoiding a slip against the rest of the MAC
team's they'll be favored over.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 4-4
Best
Player:
DE Dan
Bazuin, Sr.
Offense
- The
offense became balanced and consistent last year thanks to no injuries
on the line, the emergence of RB Ontario Sneed, and the play of QB Kent
Smith. The line returns four starters and Sneed should be an All-MAC
candidate, but replacing Smith is going to be tough. Five players are in
the mix for the starting quarterback job with big Brian Brunner the
front-runner. The winner gets a talented and experienced receiving corps
to work with.
Defense If nothing else, it'll be one of the MAC's most
interesting defenses. New coordinator Joe Tresey inherits a whale of a
front seven with, arguably, the MAC's best linebacking corps along with
All-America candidate and superstar pass rusher Dan Bazuin at end. And
then there's the secondary. A weak spot last year, it should have major
problems this season with a shaky cornerback situation, no proven depth,
and decent, but unspectacular safeties.
This
season will be a success if …
CMU wins seven games. The schedule might be a wee bit too demanding
to win the MAC West, but there's too much experience and too many good
things happening on both sides of the ball for a down year.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 4-4
Best
Player:
QB
Joey Lynch, Sr.
Offense
-
Early suspension, no stability on the line, and too many young,
inexperienced players contributed to a disastrous season finishing 106th
in the nation in total offense averaging 299 yards and 21 points per
game. Fortunately, ten starters return helped immensely by a line that
should be night-and-day better now that tackles Andre Ramsey and Robert
Brewster aren't true freshmen anymore. Joey Lynch has the potential to
be one of the MAC's better quarterbacks with a good receiving corps to
throw to. There's no power in the backfield, but speed backs B.J. Hill
and Larry Bostic can be effective if they get room to run.
Defense - This was one of the nation's worst defenses last year
unable to do any one thing particularly well. There's hope for
improvement with a good, deep linebacking corps returning and two
excellent safeties in Erik Keys and Trey Lewis. The big problems are on
the line and at corner. It's a big front four, but it has to generate
some semblance of a pass rush to help out the average pass defense.
Corners Trey Buice and Ricky Rakestraw can move, but they still have to
prove they can cover.
This
season will be a success if …
Ball State
comes up with six wins. If the team can go 4-7 last year with all the
problems it had, then an extra two victories this year with so many
returning veterans is a more-than-attainable goal.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 4-4
Best
Player:
LB
Ameer Ismail, Sr.
Offense-
Seven
starters return, but it'll be next to impossible not to see a step taken
backwards after losing heart-and-soul WR Greg Jennings, all-star TE Tony
Scheffler and 1,004-yard RB Trovon Riley. The offensive line is huge and
experienced and Mark Bonds is a pounding runner who should keep the
chains moving. Quarterback isn't an issue with Ryan Cubit and Tim Hiller
both returning from knee injuries and solid enough to make everyone
around them better. The real question mark is at receiver where several
players have to turn into dangerous deep threats. Expect the whole to be
better than the sum of the parts.
Defense - Nine starters return to what could be the X factor in
the MAC race. The run defense was solid last season and no one was
better in the MAC at getting to the quarterback, but the young secondary
got flat-out torched. On the plus side, this is an exciting group of
defensive backs that should be far better this season. The linebacking
corps has the potential to be the best in the conference led by pass
rushing terror Ameer Ismail on the outside. The line is nothing special,
but it's experienced and has a rising star in tackle Nick Varcadipane.
This
season will be a success if …
WMU wins
the West. There are plenty of problems and the team might be a year away
from truly being a threat for the MAC title, but the schedule works out
well and there's enough experience to be the division champion right
now.
Predicted record:
3-9
Conf. record: 2-6
Best
Player:
WR
Eric Deslauriers, Sr.
Offense
-
Eastern Michigan's wide open offense needs to be more consistent and far
more explosive. It has speed and quickness at the skill positions
working behind a big, veteran line with four starters returning, but
there are big question marks at quarterback and running back. Tyler
Jones leads a group of six quarterback prospects who can all run, while
there's a logjam of small, quick running backs looking to complement the
passing attack. Eric Deslauriers is one of the MAC's best all-around
receivers and should be the star of a good corps.
Defense - The EMU defense has improved a little bit over the last
few seasons, but it hasn't been a rock and it'll have to go through some
big growing pains this season in the secondary losing three starters. By
design, this is a ridiculously undersized defense that relies on speed
and quickness to make plays, but it finished last in the MAC in tackles
for loss. There are All-MAC talents in the front seven to work around in
pass rushing terror Kevin Howe at end and rising superstar Daniel
Holtzclaw at middle linebacker. Overall, the D has to be better against
the run and stronger on third downs.
This
season will be a success if …
EMU
wins six games. This isn't a good enough team to even think about
winning the MAC title, but the team hasn't won more than four games in a
season since 1995 and getting five or six victories would be a nice
stepping stone.
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