The MAC had an exciting year last year. For one, Ball State went the regular season 12-0, before losing to Buffalo in the MAC title game and in the GMAC Bowl to Tulsa. Secondly, we saw the birth of a program and the next big time coach with Buffalo and coach Turner Gill. The MAC usually plays some nice non-conference games against the Big10, and this year is no exception. We can see more and more upsets this year, such as W. Michigan over Illinois last year.
Miami (OH) inexplicably fell hard last year, suffering one of their worst seasons. Two years ago they won the MAC East, and last year, they finished 2-10. Now they have a new coach, Michael Haywood, former offensive coordinator for Notre Dame. Makes sense, since the offense only averaged 18 pts/game last year. The RedHawks lose their top four tacklers as well. Expect Haywood to turn things around, but not too fast. They host Kentucky and Cincinnati, and travel to Boise State and Northwestern. Not easy. Expect 3-4 wins.
In comes new head coach, former Michigan Defensive Coordinator Ron English for Eastern Michigan. Again, makes sense since they allowed over 35 pts/game last year. The offense was the strength. They finished 25th in offense, but didnt translate it into points every time, finishing 56th in scoring. QB Andy Schmitt returns after throwing for 2600 yds last year. If the offense can keep producing, and English can get the defense in check, expect improvement, maybe even a bowl game in a few years. This year, bank on 3-5 wins.
Toledo also welcomes a new coach this year, Tim Beckman, who was the defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma State Cowboys last year. Despite winning only 3 games, the Rockets beat Michigan in the Big House, which was definitely the highlight of their season. The defense returns 10 players, and should keep the team in games. The offense only averaged 22 pts/game last year. They have a nice running back duo returning; Morgan Williams and DaJuane Collins combined for 1500+ yards last year. The top teams in the MAC can all score points in bunches, and no matter how good the defense plays for Toledo, they will also need to score points before they can expect to compete for a MAC title. They play Purdue, Colorado, and Ohio State. Expect 3-5 wins.
Kent State went 4-8 last year, and extended their bowl-less streak to 37 years. The strength of their team was the rushing attack, which averaged over 200 yds/game. The passing game was bad, averaging only 169 yd/game, and there is no proven quarterback returning. The defense allowed over 31 pts/game, and also needs to improve. I will go back to the rushing game. If they can continue to run the ball, limit turnovers (they were 77th in turnover ratio), and improve a little on defense, they will improve. Those are some big if's, and expect only 3-5 wins again.
Frank Solich banged onto the scene in Ohio 3 years ago, winning 9 games. Since then, they have progressively decreased in wins, following up the 9-5 season with a 6-6 season, and last year with a 4-8 season. Despite not posting gaudy numbers on offense, there is potential. This is because of QB Boo Jackson. The senior threw for 2300 yds last year, but needs to cut down on his interceptions (12). In fact, Ohio's turnover margin was 112th in the nation last year, averaging a whole -1.00 / game. The defense was good last year, but they lose most of their defensive line. Even with playing UConn and Tennessee, they have should-be gimmies against Cal Poly and North Texas. If the defense can maintain their quality play despite some losses, and the offense cuts down on turnovers, Ohio can find itself back in a bowl. Count on 5-6 wins.
Temple has steadily improved every year recently. IN 2005 they won 0 games. Then they won 1, 4, 5. If they improve again, they can find themselves in a bowl. Throwing out the game against Penn State, 6 of their losses were by an average of 4.6 points. The best number the team put up was allowing only 23 pts/game last year. They return 8 starters on that side of the ball. The offense ranked last in the MAC, and they welcome new QB Chester Stewart. It would seem as the pressure is on him to turn things around. This team can realistically win 6 games if the offense can move the chains. Count on 5-6 wins.
Akron posted pretty good offensive numbers last year, but really bad defensive numbers. Twice they scored 40 points and lost. They finished 5-7, and even played Big East champions Cincinnati close, losing 17-15. They return QB Chris Jacquemain, who threw for 2700+ yards, and their four leading receivers. Look for the offense to be potent in 2009. Apparently they run a 3-3-5 defense (which I never understood why anyone would do this), and they finished 100th in the nation in rush defense, 95th in scoring defense, and 115th in sacks, getting less than one a game. This obviously must change if they want to make a bowl game. Count on 5-6 wins, depending on the defense.
Bowling Green finished 6-6 last year, but was not invited to a bowl game. Instead, 6-6 N. Illinois (who Bowling Green lost to) was selected as the last MAC selection. How can the Falcons get over the hump this year? They played a tough non conference schedule last year, beating Wyoming and Pitt, losing to Boise State and Minnesota. It isnt much easier this year; they host Troy and Boise State, and travel to Mizzou and Marshall. Their four losses in the MAC came by a combined 19 points. Despite all these optimistic reasons, they will be welcoming a new coach this year, Dave Clawson, Tennessee's offensive coordinator last year. The defense was good last year, but they lose 5 of their front 7. Offensively, they return QB Tyler Sheehan, who threw for 20 TDs, and ran 7 more in. However, he has been the only threat on the ground for the Falcons. They need to find a running back, and focus more on running the ball. If the new defense can put up the same effort that the old defense did, count on a bowl game. Expect 5-7 wins.
As mentioned earlier, Northern Illinois finished 6-7, losing to La. Tech in the Independence Bowl. They lose Larry English to the NFL. The rushing offense put up good numbers last year, mainly because QB Chandler Harinsch also ran for a team-leading 539 yards. This was a team that just didnt throw the ball very often. The defense was very good last year, allowing only 18 pts/game, and posting the 5th best pass defense nationally. On top of losing English, the Huskies lose both cornerbacks. Harinsch was only a freshman last year, but still, and TD-INT ratio of 8-9 is unacceptable. He will need to improve his play while the defense re-loads. Count on another 5-7 wins.
Central Michigan was a bit of a disappointment last year. No one expected them to beat Georgia, and they had Purdue beat if not for a last minute let down, but losses to E. Michigan, Ball State, and then Florida Atlantic left them 8-5. The good news is that QB Dan LeFevour is back, along with WR Antonio Brown. The offense will put up huge numbers this year. They didnt perform to expectations last year, mainly because the pass defense finished 2nd to last in the nation. Interestingly, they got to the quarterback, averaging over 2 sacks a game. They were right there last year, and will be again. The slightest improvement to the defense makes C. Michigan the favorites. They travel to Arizona, Michigan State, and Boston College. Im a fan of playing big name teams like this. They always talk about it for mid-majors in basketball, how a tough november-december schedule prepares them. There is less room for error in football, but playing the likes of Michigan State and Boston College means that the Chippewas will not face anyone they cant handle in the MAC. Count on 8-9 wins.
Across the state was the surprise Broncos of Western Michigan. They finished 11th in the nation in passing, and QB Tim HIller, who threw for 3700 yds is back. The team was one win away from winning the MAC West, and on top of that, beat Illinois out of conference. THey came up short in the Texas Bowl, losing to Rice. The defense wasnt very good, but that didnt keep them from winning 9 games. Unfortunately, they lose many of their starters. Is that a good or a bad thing? The offense will be potent again, and the team opens up in Ann Arbor. A win would get things rolling again very quickly (and hopefully make Rich-Rod lose his job). They also travel to Michigan State in November. Last year was their opportunity to win, and this year expect 6-8 wins.
I dont know how I got to be so high on an 8-6 team from the MAC. Maybe its because of the quick turnaround of Buffalo. Maybe its the way they beat Ball State in the MAC title. Most likely, its the coaching efforts of Turner Gill. Buffalo didnt even exist until recently, and when they did, they won 1 game most years. Now, last year, they played a tough non-conference schedule against Pitt and Mizzou, and ultimately 6 of their last 8, including the MAC title (see, tough non-conf games help!) Ball State was undefeated when they rolled into Ford Field, and Buffalo used two fumble returns for a touchdown to just knock the Cardinals around. Neither the offense or the defense put up good numbers, but the turnover margin was third in the nation at +1.36 a game. That is how you win games. Now they need a new quarterback. Whoever he is, he will find comfort in RB James Starks, who rushed for 1300 yards last year, and WR Naaman Roosevelt, who caught 104 balls for 1400 yards last year. Those are some pretty nice weapons. The back 7 on defense returns intact, so even if they dont produce as many turnovers as last year, expect the total defensive numbers to improve. The number one concern is that they lose 3/5 linemen on offense. That combined with a new QB can provide some growing pains. The new QB is said to have some rushing ability, and that has to make Gill happy. If he (new QB Maynard), can be half the threat that Gill was at Nebraska, expect Buffalo to be contenders every year. This year, expect 7-9 wins.
Ball State started 12-0 last year in their best season ever. Theyd like to forget the last 2 games though, where they lost to Buffalo and then to Tulsa in a convincing fashion. Where some teams hire new coaches because their programs are failing, Ball State will welcome a new coach because former coach Brady Hoke cashed in on his success and is headed to San Diego State. New coach (who coached the bowl game) Stan Parrish was the offensive coordinator, and at one time QB Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. RB MiQuale Lewis is the best player that no one knows about. Why is he unknown? I dont know - he only rushed for 1700 yards last year. That being said, QB Nate Davis was the heart and soul of the team, and he will be missed. Will Lewis get the same respect and holes running the ball with an unproven QB calling the plays? The defense returns 7 starters and should be good again. IT just seems to be too much turnover for the Cardinals. They must replace their leader/quarterback and coach. This will mean that not only will they not go 12-0, but should find it difficult to compete for the title again. Expect 7-8 wins.
Final Predictions: For one, the West is way better than the East, maybe by a wider margin of how much better the Big12 south is than the Big12 north. And two, I bet you didnt know that one division has 7 teams. Why? Cause its the MAC.
EAST:
1. Buffalo
2. Ohio
3. Bowling Green
4. Temple
5. Akron
6. Kent State
7. Miami OH
WEST:
1. Central Michigan
2. Western Michigan
3. Ball State
4. Western Michigan
5. Toledo
6. Eastern Michigan
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