MAC Preview
Projected Order of Finish
East Division
1. Buffalo Bulls
Top Offensive Player: RB James Starks, Top Defensive Player: SS Davonte Shannon
Coach Turner Gill is sure to be scooped up by a bigger school soon after leading Buffalo from college football oblivion to a MAC title in just three years at the helm. The Bulls played smart football last season, finishing No. 3 in turnover margin with just six interceptions thrown by Drew Willy. With Starks back running the football, the key to the season is new QB Zach Maynard simply managing games effectively.
2. Akron Zips
Top Offensive Player: G Zack Anderson, Top Defensive Player: CB Miguel Graham
Nine starters return to a very solid offense led by senior QB Chris Jacquemain and veterans up front and in the receiving corps. The key is finding a replacement for 1,300-yard RB Dennis Kennedy and his 17 touchdowns, and the pressure is on J.D. Brookhart with a new stadium opening and three consecutive losing seasons.
3. Ohio Bobcats
Top Offensive Player: WR Taylor Price, Top Defensive Player: MLB Noah Keller
The QB situation remains up in the air between seniors Boo Jackson and Theo Scott. Jackson started most of '08, throwing for 2,355 yards, but Scott -- who won the job last year before a shoulder injury -- is once again vying for the position. Whoever it is will need to limit mistakes after the Bobcats ranked No. 110 in turnover margin.
4. Temple Owls
Top Offensive Player: WR Jason Harper, Top Defensive Player: DE Junior Galette
Temple hasn't gone bowling since the 1979 Garden State Bowl, but after climbing to the five-win mark, a trip to the program's first bowl in 30 years is possible. After playing some as a sophomore, QB Vaughn Charlton redshirted while Adam DiMichele ran the offense in '08. Charlton is mobile and will help a rush offense that produced just 95.2 yards per game.
5. Bowling Green Falcons
Top Offensive Player: QB Tyler Sheehan, Top Defensive Player: SS P.J. Mahone
Gregg Brandon won for two years with Urban Meyer's players before the Falcons slipped into mediocrity the last four. In comes former Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson to run the show, and he has some talent to work with -- although having just three returning starters on defense is a major concern.
6. Kent State Golden Flashes
Top Offensive Player: RB Eugene Jarvis, Top Defensive Player: DT Sam Frist
Jarvis led the MAC in rushing in '07 but was held back because of injury while QB Julian Edelman stole the show with 1,370 yards in '08. With Edelman out of the picture, it's time for Jarvis to step back in the spotlight and lead what is an experienced team.
7. Miami RedHawks
Top Offensive Player: WR Chris Givens, Top Defensive Player: DT Martin Channels
Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood steps in this season to try to lead the RedHawks back to respectability after winning just two games in two out of the last three seasons.
West Division
1. Central Michigan Chippewas
Top Offensive Player: QB Dan LeFevour, Top Defensive Player: MLB Nick Bellore
The Chippewas have gone to the Motor City Bowl three years in a row and won the MAC in 2007 and 2008. LeFevour is one of the nation's top QBs and is a terrific dual threat. Ten starters return on defense, but the unit is still a concern after allowing 287.2 passing yards per game, good for second-to-last in the country.
2. Western Michigan Broncos
Top Offensive Player: QB Tim Hiller, Top Defensive Player: OLB Austin Pritchard
LeFevour gets all the hype at QB in the conference, but Hiller has put up some impressive numbers as well. He threw for 3,725 yards, 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in '08 and has 8,080 career yards. But just three starters return to a defense that, like Central Michigan, was burned through the air.
3. Toledo Rockets
Top Offensive Player: RB Morgan Williams, Top Defensive Player: ROV Barry Church
After a long run of success, the Rockets have had three consecutive losing seasons. Former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman takes over, and the cupboard is not bare. Williams and DaJuane Collins combined for more than 1,700 yards on the ground, while senior Aaron Opelt is a reliable passer.
4. Ball State Cardinals
Top Offensive Player: RB MiQuale Lewis, Top Defensive Player: DE Brandon Crawford
The defending MAC champions suffer a big loss with QB Nate Davis gone, so look for the offense to go through Lewis. At just 5-foot-6, 193 pounds, Lewis rushed for 1,736 yards and 22 touchdowns. Yards may be tougher to come by, however, with a weaker passing game and four offensive line starters gone.
5. Northern Illinois Huskies
Top Offensive Player: G Jason Onyebuagu, Top Defensive Player: DE Brandon Bice
The Huskies rebounded nicely from a 2-10 season in '07 to an Independence Bowl appearance in Jerry Kill's first year. But what was an experienced team is now young, as just four starters are back on a defense that allowed only 18 points per game. If the defense can rebuild quickly, the Huskies have the potential for a similar 6-6 regular season like last year.
6. Eastern Michigan Eagles
Top Offensive Player: WR Jacory Stone, Top Defensive Player: DE Brad Ohrman
The perennial MAC basement dwellers return 17 starters but are still unlikely to make a big jump. New coach Ron English is a solid hire though, and the offense posted a very respectable 417.5 yards per game. English is a defensive coach but has his work cut out for him with a unite that allowed 35.6 points per game.
MAC Title Game: Central Michigan over Buffalo
*****
Although Buffalo surprised everyone by taking the conference title last season, the West is clearly the stronger division. The MAC champion will likely come out of the Oct. 17 matchup between Central Michigan and Western Michigan, and the Broncos do get the game at home.
Both teams have an excellent quarterback, but LeFevour has the advantage because of his versatility. And although neither defense was good last season, the Chippewas are at least much more experienced than the Broncos now on defense.
The East is much more wide open, and even lowly Temple has a chance to get in the division title race and attempt to make its first bowl trip in 30 years.
*****
Award Predictions
Offensive Player of the Year: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bellore, LB, Central Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Kelly Page, QB, Ball State
Coach of the Year: Butch Jones, Central Michigan
All-MAC Team
QB- Dan LeFevour, Sr., Central Michigan
RB- MiQuale Lewis, Sr., Ball State
RB- James Starks, Sr., Buffalo
WR- Naaman Roosevelt, Sr., Buffalo
WR- Bryan Anderson, Sr., Central Michigan
TE- Madaris Grant, Sr., Ball State
OT- Anthony Parker, So., Western Michigan
OT- Brady Minturn, Sr., Bowling Green
G- Phillip Swanson, Jr., Western Michigan
G- Jason Onyebuagu, Sr., Northern Illinois
C- Eddie Adamski, Sr., Northern Illinois
DE- Frank Zombo, Sr., Central Michigan
DE- Junior Galette, Sr., Temple
DT- Andre Neblett, Sr., Temple
DT- Sam Frist, Sr., Kent State
LB- Nick Bellore, Jr., Central Michigan
LB- Austin Pritchard, Sr., Western Michigan
LB- Archie Donald, Jr., Toledo
CB- Miguel Graham, Sr., Akron
CB- Josh Gordy, Sr., Central Michigan
S- Barry Church, Sr., Toledo
S- Davonte Shannon, Jr., Buffalo
K- Mike Salerno, Sr., Northern Illinois
P- Bern Armer, So., Western Michigan
KR- Jamal Schulters, Jr., Temple
Top Non-Conference Games
1. Central Michigan at Michigan State, Sept. 12
2. Western Michigan at Michigan, Sept. 5
3. Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Sept. 12
4. Central Michigan at Arizona, Sept. 5
5. Colorado at Toledo, Sept. 11
Top Conference Games
1. Central Michigan at Western Michigan, Oct. 17
2. Central Michigan at Buffalo, Oct. 3
3. Buffalo at Western Michigan, Oct. 24
4. Akron at Buffalo, Oct. 17
5. Central Michigan at Ball State, Nov. 18